Akzo Nobel Relocates Operations to Putnam County

Akzo Nobel, a Fortune 500 company that manufactures human and healthcare products, coatings and chemicals, will be shifting its Surfactants Research and Development Laboratory and support staff to Orchard Ridge Building 2 at 281 Fields Lane here. The firm signed a 66,000-sf lease at the property, reports CB Richard Ellis. Paul Hoffmann of CB Richard Ellis' Stamford, CT office negotiated the 10-year lease on behalf of Akzo Nobel. Friedland Realty Inc. represented the building ownership, Orchard Ridge Associates.

Dale Steichen, vice president research and technology for Akzo Nobel, says the company will shift about 70 to 75 employees to its new Brewster location beginning next month. He adds the move was in order to "right-size" its chemicals division as well as find a location that is more of a "geographic center" with its employees. He notes that over the years, due to the rising cost of housing in Westchester, its workforce has been moving North.

He adds that the firm has signed a lease to house its legal staff in Tarrytown, NY. However, with the exception that the legal personnel will be moved from Dobbs Ferry shortly, details about that lease deal were not available at deadline.

CB Richard Ellis' Hoffman says of the deal in Brewster, "Akzo looked at numerous properties in the lower Hudson Valley and western Fairfield County to satisfy their functional needs for lab and office space, with a concern for their existing employees. The quality of the building, its existing improvements, as well as the responsiveness of local and state agencies and incentives, helped create a compelling argument to remain in New York State."

The 82,000-sf Orchard Ridge building, which includes office, industrial and laboratory space, was originally developed, owned and occupied by Ciba-Geigy. It was later leased to several chemical firms including Vantico, a former division of Ciba Specialty Chemicals, and Huntsman. The property has been vacant since the first quarter of this year.