AkzoNobel is set to increase its presence in the North American yacht coatings market after agreeing to acquire New Nautical Coatings, owner of the premium Sea Hawk brand. Financial details are not disclosed.

The privately-owned company is one of the top players in yacht coatings in North America. Operating a specialized production facility out of Clearwater Beach, Florida the business is mainly active in North America, with sales also being generated in the Caribbean and Australasia. The Sea Hawk brand enjoys high customer loyalty among yacht owners, shipyards and maintenance service providers based on its premium quality and product performance.

“North America is a key region for our Yacht Coatings business – it’s the largest Yacht Coatings market in the world – so this is an excellent deal which perfectly complements our activities and offers excellent opportunities for growth,” says AkzoNobel CEO, Thierry Vanlancker.

Adds Jean Michel Gauthier, Director of AkzoNobel’s Marine, Protective and Yacht Coatings business: “Acquiring New Nautical Coatings means we’re now well positioned to expand our operations in North America and further improve the service levels for our customers. It’s an established business, with a strong product portfolio, and we’re excited to welcome the widely-admired Sea Hawk brand into the AkzoNobel family.”