Hans Wijers of AkzoNobel has taken an unusual path to the top of Europeas chemical industryJUST as Americaas dodgy subprime mortgages were triggering the credit crunch in August last year, Hans Wijers, the boss of AkzoNobel, a European specialty chemicals company, shook hands with John McAdam, the boss of ICI, to seal a takeover that had been rumbling for months. AkzoNobelas two previous bids had been rebuffed, but when Mr Wijers raised his offer price to AGBP8 billion ($16 billion), ICI capitu....
The Economist: Business
