Akzo Nobel's business unit Organon establishes its international headquarters in USA

Akzo Nobel's business unit Organon establishes its international headquarters in USA Arnhem/Oss, the Netherlands, 25 April 2001 - Organon, the pharmaceutical business unit of Akzo Nobel plans to establish its international headquarters in New Jersey, USA. In the course of 2002 a number of strategic international functions - including the executive team - will transfer to New Jersey from the Netherlands. The announcement was made by Paul Brons, responsible for the Pharma Group on Akzo Nobel's Board of Management, following this morning's presentation of the company's first quarter results for 2001 in Amsterdam. Historically, Organon has grown its business from Oss, the Netherlands, where it was founded in 1923. The company has developed into a global organization with affiliates all over the world. In guiding all local, national and global activities, the "Oss" site has evolved into a "hybrid" organization, serving both strategic and more local operational business needs. In order to better prepare for current and future developments in the global pharmaceutical market and to structure its business more clearly, the company has decided to transfer a number of international strategic functions from the Netherlands to the United States. Organon will be strategically managed from the US in the future. By establishing its international headquarters in the US, the company will ensure a strong focus on the US market and help to build its position there. This location will also provide better options to partner with various technology and healthcare oriented companies, particularly those based in the U.S. Organon in Oss, where 2,700 people are employed today, will continue to play a key role in the company's business. The number of employees is expected to continue to grow with planned investments and extensions of the site. The Oss site will remain Organon's principal knowledge center for R& D and production, and it will create greater focus on these specific areas. The management of European operations will also continue to be located in Oss. All Organon staff, the Works Council, trade unions and other relevant parties have been informed about the plans. It will take another six months to develop and execute detailed transition plans for the staff involved. Note for the editor Organon is a renowned global pharmaceutical company with a strong commitment to health care. The company develops and produces innovative prescription medicines for gynecology, psychiatry, cardiovascular disease and immunology. Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, more than half of which have an Organon subsidiary. The company currently employs around 12,000 people. N.V. Organon is the ethical pharmaceutical Business Unit of Akzo Nobel. Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2000 totaled EUR 14 billion (USD 13 billion, GBP 8.5 billion). The Company currently employs 68,800 people in 75 countries. Financial results for the second quarter of 2001 will be published on July 25, 2001. Internet: http://www.organon.com http://www.akzonobel.com For more information, please contact: Organon N.V. , Helma van Leeuwe-Bak Manager International Communications, N.V. Organon Tel: +31 412 662 947, Fax: +31 412 662 568, Mobile: +31 6 53 933 833 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/04/25/20010425BIT00350/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/04/25/20010425BIT00350/bit0002.pdf