The company's newest business unit, Nobilas manages the complete repair cycle of a car, including the claims handling and invoicing of all parties concerned. The acquisition means that Nobilas will secure a leading position in the UK market.

"The decision to establish Nobilas as a separate business unit was always designed with rapid growth in mind and this strategic acquisition will not only establish Nobilas as a top three player within the UK, but will also help to further grow the business in Europe," said Rudy van der Meer, Member of Akzo Nobel's Board of Management responsible for Coatings.

Added Nobilas General Manager, Cor de Grauw: "This deal underlines our ambition to become a key service supplier. The existing expertise and market position of AMAM within the corporate fleet sector will now provide us with an excellent opportunity to develop the business to its maximum potential."

Agreement on the transaction comes just a few months after Nobilas and Aon announced that they had entered into a strategic alliance, combining Nobilas' accident repair activities with Aon's claims and risks management expertise.

Headquartered in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, Nobilas has also entered into services contracts with major fleet owners such as DaimlerChrysler Services Fleet Management, Budget Rent A Car System, Avis Rent A Car System and LeasePlan. Additionally, Nobilas is active in commercial vehicle identity solutions and lists TNT, Total, DHL, Repsol, Frigo and Hanson among its customers.

About Akzo Nobel
Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2003 totaled EUR 13 billion. The Company currently employs approximately 64,300 people in more than 80 countries. The financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 19, 2004.

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions, an Akzo Nobel company operating in Europe and North America, is a business to business service provider, combining leading car repair process management skills with claims management, supply chain management and fleet imaging services. Clients are (car) insurers, car leasing companies, car rental companies and corporate car fleet owners.

About Aon
Aon Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and specialty insurance underwriting. The company has more than 600 offices and 54,000 professionals in 125 countries and sovereignties. Aon's global network, broad resources, industry knowledge and technical expertise helps leaders of businesses, associations, and public entities develop effective solutions to risks, issues and challenges, creating opportunities that generate efficiencies, improve profitability and build value.

Aon is an industry leader in a number of key areas including retail, reinsurance, wholesale and specialty insurance brokerage; captive management; human capital consulting; claims and loss cost management; and premium financing.