AkzoNobel Will Close Nashville Plant by 2026
The manufacturing site closure will eliminate 75 jobs as the company shifts production to other regional facilities.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Manufacturing
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AkzoNobel announced it will close its powder coatings manufacturing plant in Nashville by the end of 2026. The move will result in 75 job cuts as production volume is transferred to sites in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Mexico.
Why it matters
The closure is part of the 2023 Industrial Excellence program, a strategic initiative designed to optimize operations and reduce complexity across the company. The shift reflects broader regional trends, where Tennessee chemical manufacturing jobs have declined 2.6% over the past year.
The company is eliminating 75 positions at the site, which represents a portion of its footprint in a sector seeing a 2.6% decline in Tennessee chemical manufacturing jobs. Management expects the transfer to occur while maintaining supply continuity for North American customers.
The players
AkzoNobel
A global paints and coatings manufacturer focused on optimizing its industrial footprint.
The details
AkzoNobel is redistributing production volumes to existing plants in Reading, Pennsylvania; Warsaw, Indiana; and Monterrey, Mexico. This realignment serves to streamline manufacturing capacity as part of the broader 2023 Industrial Excellence initiative. The company remains committed to its regional presence, with 117 employees expected to continue working at the Nashville headquarters.
Timeline
2022: An explosion occurred at the Nashville plant following a chemical delivery error.
August 2026: Tennessee saw a 2.6% decline in chemical manufacturing jobs.
October 12, 2026: AkzoNobel announced the upcoming Nashville plant closure.
End of 2026: The Nashville manufacturing plant is scheduled to close.
Market Landscape
The plant closure follows the guidelines established by the 2023 Industrial Excellence program, which mandates operation optimization. This move aligns with broader efforts to consolidate production to increase efficiency across North American manufacturing networks.
Operators should monitor local supply chain stability as production transitions away from the Nashville facility. Ensure your procurement contracts account for potential logistical shifts while the company completes its site consolidation by late 2026.
The takeaway
Large-scale plant consolidations often involve multi-year transitions that impact regional labor markets and supplier logistics. Operators should track the 2026 closure timeline to adjust regional service expectations and labor planning accordingly.
Further reading
For more on local industrial trends, see our coverage of Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WKRN News 2.
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