Online initiative aims to expand reach and enhance service levels for women customers in the region

July 27, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has launched an Arabic version of its ‘Jotun Lady’ website (http://lady.jotun.com), following the successful launch of the English website last year and demands for a localised online portal from women customers in the region. The online initiative, which incorporates features to guide users on the latest design trends and help them update the overall appearance of their homes, is aimed at further expanding the website’s reach and enhancing service levels provided for regional customers.  Designed as a new contact point between the ‘LADY’ brand and its target users, the highly interactive portal provides users with extensive product information, advice on colour psychology, as well as on how to decorate their homes.

The Arab world is continually witnessing increasing usage of the Internet, with majority of sectors in the region recording rising online dependence for both information and connectivity. Combining this growing trend with the insight that almost half of the users of the famous online networking site Facebook in the region utilises Arabic as their primary language according to latest reports, Jotun has identified the potential in launching the ‘Jotun Lady’ website in the vernacular.  The website also links to ‘Colour Advisor’, Jotun Paints’ revolutionary, easy-to-use online colour visualisation tool that lets users enjoy a more realistic experience through the extended interactivity and accessibility to more colours.

“Having the website in Arabic allows us to talk to Arab women without any barrier and directly in the language that they feel, think, and use to communicate naturally,” said Trine Finnevolden, General Manager, Jotun Paints UAE. “With the growing affinity of Arab women towards using the Internet, we have been inspired to communicate with them through technology in a platform that will revolve around inspiration, colours and advice for choosing the right paint products and colours, which enables them to make better planning and painting decisions. In addition to the website, we are also looking to launch domain names in Arabic, as a testament to our focus on the regional market.”

Over 62,000 litres of Jotafloor products used on the project

July 06, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, announced that it has painted the KD 30 million (AED 441 million) ‘Al Forda Central Fruits and Vegetable Hyper Market’, the largest establishment of its kind in Kuwait. The company further revealed that over 62,000 litres of paints and coatings under its ‘Jotafloor System’ were used on the project’s 95,000 square metre interior floor area. A project of Al-Wafir Marketing Services Company, the hyper market is built on a 3 square kilometre area in the Sulaibiya district, and was completed after 3 years of construction.

Introducing a new concept in the region where vendors will bid for the produce directly from local farmers, the massive establishment aims to provide a cleaner venue for the produce business in the locality. Taking this into consideration, Jotun’s expert sales team proposed the use of the vibrant colours from the Jotafloor range, for the flooring of this massive project, which is specifically formulated for surfaces exposed to heavy traffic or harsh conditions. Among the Jotun products used in the project include the ‘Jotafloor SF Primer’ and ‘Jotafloor Coating Grey’ for the cold storage area, and three shades of ‘Jotafloor Topcoat’ for the stall area.

“The continuous growth of our brand among customers in Kuwait underlines our capacity to address their specific needs as well as the high growth potential of our products in this market,” said Shafique Siddiqui, Country Manager, Jotun Paints - Kuwait. “Our involvement in this landmark project is aligned with our goals to fully penetrate the growing demand for high quality and specially formulated paints and coatings. In addition to this, we are also confident that our products will play a vital part in ensuring that the structure is protected from natural wear and tear while adding to the lively atmosphere in this one-of-a-kind marketplace.”

‘Jotun Topcoat’ and ‘Jotafloor Coating Grey’ are part of the ‘Jotafloor’ range of epoxy-based products that offer excellent chemical, abrasion and impact resistance. As a result of Jotun’s massive investment towards research and development, the company has added another product to its ‘Jotafloor’ range - ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’, the first floor coating based on ‘nanotechnology’, which it launched in the Middle East recently.

“The Al Forda Central Fruits and Vegetable Hyper Market is considered a landmark project in Kuwait, and being one of the suppliers to be a part of this undertaking is a testament to our leading position in this ever-growing market. A large part of this success is driven by our capacity to deliver painting solutions that complement all the specifications and functionalities of a structure, and we do this through close collaboration with our clients and keen attention to the customer’s needs. We have successfully displayed this level of acuity in this project, which is a testament to our consistent efforts to further grow our business in Kuwait,” concluded Siddiqui.

Leading paint manufacturer partners with ‘Friends of Children with Cancer’ to support treatment of cancer-afflicted children

June 14, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has partnered with the ‘Friends of Children with Cancer’ (FOCC), an Egyptian non-government, non-profit organisation registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (under number 231 for the year 1992), to support the treatment of cancer-afflicted children in Egypt. Driven by its belief in the power of colours to bring smiles to people, the leading manufacturer will paint the first phase of FOCC’s project - the ‘Health and Hope Oasis’, a nutritional and recreational centre, located in Wadi Al-Natrun at the Beheira Governorate, for children with cancer who are undergoing treatment.

The ‘Health and Hope Oasis’ aims to offer children with cancer the opportunity to escape the confines of the hospital and be in a healthy and nurturing environment where they can receive nutritional support critical for the success of recovery and cure rate. Jotun Paints’ involvement in the project will entail the provision of paint on the project’s first phase, which includes 64 accommodation units for children and their families, kitchen facilities, multipurpose activity centre and staff housing.

“The capacity of colour to influence human emotions is a core belief that continues to inspire us in the Jotun Group to become involved in initiatives supporting charity organisations,” said Per Harald Engesaeth, General Manager, El Mohandes Jotun Paints Egypt. “By filling ‘Health and Hope Oasis’ with vibrant and calming hues, we are hoping to supplement and assist with the treatment of Egyptian children with cancer, and provide them and their families encouragement in their fights against the disease. We also want to acknowledge the wonderful work that ‘Friends of Children with Cancer’ has done and continues to do with such great dedication, and we are proud to be working with them in this excellent initiative.”

Interior and exterior paints for the first phase of the ‘Health and Hope Oasis’ extension have already been delivered by Jotun Paints at the project site, which mainly benefits from donations from charitable groups, corporations and individuals. In addition to providing emotional support to the children and their families during the critical stages of chemotherapy and recovery, ‘Health and Hope Oasis’s’ core focus is to provide nutritional sustenance to the patients through an operating farm that has been donated to ensure the quality of food provided and to help sustain the project. It also conducts awareness drives and training for families of the children about the importance of continuing the cancer treatment, safe hygienic practices and appropriate nutrition, infection control and the children’s emotional needs.

“Our longstanding support for charitable causes is in line with our commitment towards corporate social responsibility and the value we place in being a model for successful CSR undertakings among regional organisations. We have seen significant success in the Middle East since we started our regional operations 30 years ago, and as a means of giving back, we are dedicated to lending our support in any way we can in order to enhance the development of the community that has nurtured our growth,” concluded Engesaeth.

High profile undertaking part of manufacturer’s aggressive growth strategy in the region

June 02, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, announced that it has secured a massive contract to paint the ‘King Abdullah Financial District’ (KAFD), a state-of-the-art and fully self contained centre for doing business and facilitating investment and enterprise currently under construction in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The high profile undertaking, which will involve paint work on the 3 million sq. metre-financial centre, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013, is part of manufacturer’s aggressive growth strategy in the region.

Envisioned as part of the Kingdom’s overall economic diversification program, KAFD is being built by Hill International, with Omrania & Associates and Gensler & Associates acting as the project consultants, and will have a total built-up area of 1.6 million sq. metres. With aims to protect the structure from the elements and natural wear and tear, Jotun recommended its ’Fenomastic’ range for the structure’s interiors and ‘Jotashield’ for the exteriors, with solvent-free ‘Jotafloor’ coatings to be used for the floors.

“The ‘King Abdullah Financial District’ project stands to be one of our biggest achievements in terms of decorative projects we have undertaken in Riyadh till date, and we are very excited to complete this enormous task using our specially-formulated paints and coatings,” said Kjell Gundersen, Managing Director, Jotun Saudia. “Given the important role it will play in further strengthening the Kingdom’s position as the Middle East’s financial capital, we are committed to ensuring that the paint solutions we will deliver will provide maximum protection for this important icon of the Kingdom’s economic dominance.” 

Upon its completion, KAFD will house the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Stock Exchange (Tadawul), as well as financial institutions and other service providers such as accountants, auditors, lawyers, analysts, rating agencies, consultants, and IT providers. In addition, the project will also accommodate a financial academy for 5,000 students, offices, hotels, shops, recreational facilities, waterways, squares, parks, sports arenas, restaurants and six mosques including. A monorail system will serve as the main means of transportation within the development, while skywalks bridges will connect all 30 buildings within the financial district.

Manufacturer unveils latest colour collection in time for massive delivery of projects in the region

February 18, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has announced the launch of ‘Colour Trends 2010’, the latest colour range for its decorative paints. The newest collection has been strategically unveiled in time for the massive delivery of development projects, which is anticipated across the region. Seventeen new vibrant shades comprise the 2010 collection, which have been specially formulated to meet the evolving preferences of regional customers.

Combining classic and modern hues with an edgy twist, Jotun’s ‘Colour Trends 2010’ provide inspiration to individual home decorators and professional designers to identify the right shades and combinations for interior spaces. The 2010 collection has three ranges with six shades each, including ‘Jazz Up’, a dynamic palette designed to reflect an individual’s true colours and creativity. ‘Pure Nuture’ offers a colour scheme that is ideal for nature lovers, as it gives them an opportunity to invite the splendour of the great outdoors into their homes.   Lastly, ‘Mystic Elegance’ features a glamorous collection based on the values of traditional Middle Eastern interiors, which is favoured by sophisticated individuals who find immense pleasure in surrounding themselves with the finer things in life.

“The launch of ‘Colour Trends 2010’ is our answer to the rising demand for one-of-a-kind colours in decorative paints, as many cutting-edge projects in the region approach delivery stage this year,” said Eirik Kristensen, Regional Marketing Manager - MENA, Jotun Paints. “With our latest collection of hues, individual homeowners who wish to redecorate their new homes, as well as interior designers who are working the finishing touches of their projects, are presented with a wide range vivid colours that match both their aesthetic and quality requirements.”

Jotun’s ‘Colour Trends 2010’ range aims to give customers an early insight into this year’s fashionable colour schemes and wall designs, enabling home decorators and renovators to select the right shades and combinations. Each year, the company adds several new shades to the range, which are based on extensive research and customer feedback. Customers can know more about the ‘Colour Trends 2010’ by visiting Jotun Multicolor and Inspiration Centres, where they can also get a copy of ‘Trend’ brochure and ‘Trend’ cards to help them choose the suitable colours they require.

“The colour palettes we have launched this year are one of the most eclectic ranges we have unveiled, combining the subtle hues of nature with rich, luxurious colours and lively, dynamic shades. The launch of this collection translates the extent of our familiarity with the market, and the flexibility of our products to complement their personalities and preferences - be it creating a confident, energetic and creative world, escaping to a world of tranquillity, and rediscovering the elegance of the bygone era,” concluded Kristensen.

Leading paint manufacturer aims to unveil over 1,500 Multicolor Centres in the region by 2011 Read the full story