Strategic move reflects company’s continued growth in Kingdom and complements commitment towards better customer service

May 15, 2011

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, is moving towards strengthening its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with the opening of the company’s new offices in Bilda Mall, Riyadh. The new facilities were inaugurated by His Excellency Carl Schiotz Wibye, Norwegian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in the presence of Jotun Group senior officials and guests. The new offices will act as the company’s sales, marketing and administrative office and also house the protective marine and powder functions. The opening reflects Jotun’s continuing business growth in the Kingdom and also complements the company’s initiatives that are aimed at providing better customer service.

Jotun Saudia maintains a strong presence in KSA with a total of over 2 environmental friendly factories in key locations like Yanbu and Jeddah. The company’s new offices are located within accessible distance to the warehouse and CSD, and maintains a fully computerized set-up, which is equipped with the latest communication software that allows them 24/7 seamless connection to the Jotun global network. Jotun’s warehousing and customer service department (CSD) facilities will still be based in its old facility in Solay, Riyadh.

“The opening of our new Jotun offices in Saudi Arabia shows the continued business growth that we are enjoying in the country and also marks our commitment to better serve our growing customer base,” said Kjell Gundersen, Managing Director, Jotun Saudia Co. Ltd. “Jotun Saudia remains steadfast in its commitment towards implementing key initiatives in customer servicing, the quality of our products, human resource and information resource technology. We also affirm our support in the government’s continuing efforts to help the business community - thereby attracting in more investment opportunities into the Kingdom.”

Escalating costs of raw material make price adjustments inevitable

February 27, 2011

Jotun Powder Coatings, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of powder coatings, has announced their decision to increase the prices on all of its products in the European, Middle East and Asian markets, effective March 1, 2011. The company also revealed that the immediate implementation of the price increase will ensure that the company does not compromise on their commitment towards producing consistent high quality powder coatings for its strong and diverse customer base in the Architectural, Industrial and Functional market segments.

The price increase will cover all of Jotun Powder Coatings product lines - epoxy based products; polyester based products and the polyurethane based products. According to the company, the imbalance created by the increasing high global demand and the forced reduction of production capacity as a result of the global downturn, has resulted in a shortage of raw materials thereby causing prices to spiral. In fact, in 2010 alone, the market price of raw materials used in coating production like polyester, polyurethane, titanium dioxide and epoxy resins increased by as much as 30 to 40 per cent. Jotun has made every effort to minimise the cost increase, and has also taken into account factors such as the rising price of crude oil, which has pressed the increase in costs of petrochemical-based products.

”The change in prices is unavoidable given the frequency and scale of escalating raw material prices, and to ensure that we safeguard our commitment to quality,” said Claudio Iurilli, Divisional Marketing Director, Jotun Powder Coatings.

Company’s new line of floor coatings boasts key eco-friendly features

January 23, 2011

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, is focused on consolidating its leadership in the GCC region’s floor coating segment with the regional launch of ’Jotafloor PU Universal’. The new line, which is being made available to key GCC / Middle East countries like UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt and KSA, has been tested and certified according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a globally recognized leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards - ASTM C957. Available in six different colors, the ‘Jotafloor PU Universal’ range of floor coatings is resistant to a wide range of chemicals and includes key eco-friendly features. The launch complements the company’s strategic moves to increase more brand awareness on their wide array of paints and coatings and to expand its reach - tapping into a wider audience of industry professionals like architects, designers, developers and consultants.

‘Jotafloor PU Universal’ is a high performance, self levelling, self smoothing, solvent-free, two-component, seamless polyurethane floor coating that is capable of being applied at varying thicknesses. The new line of floor coatings offer slip resistance coupled with flexibility abrasion and impact resistance that can easily withstand a wide range of chemicals. It can also be used as a waterproof membrane for multi-storey car parks.

“‘Jotafloor PU Universal’ offers our customers a whole new experience in floor protection and enhancement - easy to apply and gives you ultimate value for your money,” said Terje Langmoe, Global Concrete Concept Manager, Jotun Coatings. “‘Jotafloor PU Universal’ has been highly specified to meet specifications for key projects like UAE Air Force infrastructure facilities, Hangars, and various sports stadiums in the region. Ably tested and certified according to ASTM C957 standards, ‘Jotafloor PU Universal’ is a product, which has breezed through 14 levels of ASTM’s standard specification tests with excellent results. Our customers are assured of using a high quality world class product that is eco-friendly; leaving them with the confidence of safety and protection from harmful elements.”

Jotun Paints has demonstrated its commitment to research and development of unique products with investments of more than USD 25 million directed towards the creation and improvement of reliable and effective paints and coating products. The company has become a global group with 67 companies and 39 production facilities in five continents, with its largest facility and R & D Hub located in Dubai.  Further, Jotun Paint’s strong focus on customer service and technical support has made it the preferred paint brand for many iconic projects across the region, with some of its latest projects including the Dubai Metro, Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, the Nile City Complex, the Kingdom Center, and the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Kuwait.

“The GCC wide launch of ‘Jotafloor PU Universal’ is part of a series of strategic initiatives that Jotun is undertaking to increase brand awareness on the different paints and coatings that we have in the market today. The move also falls in line with our vision to tap into a wider audience of industry professionals like architects, construction developers, consultants and designers; leveraging our products as the best product that can meet their high standards and requirements. Moreover, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide customers with high quality world class products that not only seek to enhance infrastructure but also provide key protection against unwarranted and harmful elements,” concluded Terje Langmoe

Leading manufacturer celebrates 20 years of unparalleled success in the UAE’s powder coatings industry

November 29, 2010

Jotun Powder Coatings, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of powder coatings, has announced plans to achieve 15 per cent growth in the UAE in 2011, amidst its continued leadership position in the region after 20 years of unparalleled success. Part of the internationally renowned Jotun Group based in Norway, Jotun Powder Coatings UAE has celebrated the 20th anniversary of setting up of its manufacturing facility in Dubai. On this occasion, the company has also announced the future focus for the next strategic period, which is to concentrate on product innovation and to develop sustainable, high performance and technologically advanced coatings that can cater to the diverse needs of various user industries.

The ambitious growth target for next year in the region complements recent reports that Jotun Powder Coatings UAE maintains a 70 per cent share of the powder coatings segment in the GCC region - excluding Saudi Arabia, where the Jotun group operates another manufacturing unit based in Dammam. Firmly established as the region’s leading powder coating supplier and manufacturer, the company has experienced an increased demand from its export markets, particularly from the African markets, which represent high growth areas for Jotun Powder Coatings in the coming years.

“The UAE is witnessing a slight upturn in the development and construction sector, which is ably reflected in the resumption of construction projects. This is indeed a positive development,” said Colin Wanless, Managing Director, Jotun Powder Coatings UAE LLC.

The target set by Jotun Powder Coatings follows the company’s successful move to invest more than AED 25 million towards the expansion of facilities and the development of more production lines in its Dubai facility in 2009 and 2010. To date, Jotun Powder Coatings worldwide has grown to become a leading multinational company with ten manufacturing facilities strategically located in different parts of the globe like Norway, the Czech Republic, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“2010 has been a steady year for us, bringing us back on track with 10 per cent growth, brought about by the increased demand from export markets. With the resurgence of the country’s construction segment, we remain upbeat on the increased demand for our products across all verticals and segments. The real challenge that we are facing, however, is with sharply increasing costs of our raw materials,” added Wanless.

Jotun Powder Coatings’ products are actively used in three core industry segments; architectural, industrial and functional. In the UAE, the architectural segment, which is made up of the country’s infrastructure and construction development projects, utilizes 50 per cent of Jotun’s products; followed by the functional segment, which represents industries like oil and gas and utilizes 27 percent; and lastly the industrial segment, which is composed of the appliance and furniture manufacturing segment and utilizes the remaining 23 per cent.

Ram Ramnath, General Manager of Jotun Powder Coatings UAE LLC, said: “It is indeed a milestone for us, to have completed 20 successful years as a market leader in the UAE. Through the years, we have strategically positioned ourselves as a leading provider for reliable and high quality powder coatings based on our strengths in R&D, innovation and effective technical service. Our customers see us as a market driven company and we intend to build upon these strengths.”

Boasting of extensive experience in the fast-developing and highly demanding construction markets of the Middle East and South East Asia, Jotun Powder Coatings’ high performance products have been specified and used for architectural metalwork on several prestigious Dubai landmarks, including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, the Madinat Jumeirah, and Atlantis Hotel, to name just a few. The company has also been involved with many key projects in Abu Dhabi including the likes of Masdar University and Etihad Towers. Furthermore, Jotun Powder Coatings has also strategically mapped its presence around the region working with projects like the West Bay Lagoon and City Center Towers in Qatar; the Trade Center and Financial Harbour project in Bahrain; Kuwait Business Town and the Central Bank in Kuwait and the Bar Al Jizzah development in Oman.

Company’s first furniture powder coating offers better ‘freedom of design’

November 07, 2010

Jotun Powder Coatings, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of powder coatings, has announced today (7th November 2010), the global launch of its first furniture powder coatings range ‘Era-Coat MDF’.

The company’s new umbrella brand of powder coatings for heat-sensitive substrates such as MDF is especially created for designers and furniture makers. Whilst offering complete ‘freedom of design’ to coat even the most intricate furniture, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ also provides a more cost-effective and eco-friendly coating solution.

The new range is based on the latest MDF color trends, which includes ‘Era-Coat MDF Primo’, a uniquely engineered primer and a top coat ‘Era-Coat MDF 32T’, available in 20 trendy colours & textures.

Formulated to ensure a seamless coated surface, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ products can coat both the front and back of the MDF board at once, and leaves it reclaimable, safe, resistant to scratches, water, stains and impact.

Adaptable enough to bring to life any design concept, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ is ideal for a host of areas including office furniture, retail displays and shelving, flat-pack furniture, doors and countertops, kitchen cabinets and bedroom wardrobes.

In line with Jotun Powder Coatings’ commitment to minimising any environmental damage, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ does not contain solvents nor release any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

“We have developed a furniture powder coatings solution that constitutes a strong alternative to established MDF finishing technologies, and with the quality, durability and simplicity that make it far superior to other systems,” said Olaf Conreur, Divisional Industrial Product Manager, Jotun Powder Coatings.

“The ‘Era-Coat MDF’ range opens new horizons for the furniture industry in terms of design and creativity. We have a strong philosophy to provide ‘freedom of design’ as testament to Jotun’s leadership in the powder coatings industry and we also ensure that the environmental benefits we offer will make our products become more widely used in the furniture market,” added Conreur.

Allowing the most benefit to industrial designers, ‘Era-Coat MDF’ offers almost unlimited design opportunities, with properties that allows it to work for pieces of any shape as well as rounded corners and contoured edges.

Complimenting the ‘Era-Coat MDF 32T’, the ‘Era-Coat MDF Primo’, is a basecoat that gives excellent adhesion and sealing properties to the MDF board. When used in combination with ‘Era-Coat MDF 32T’ as a top coat, and following strict quality and process control procedures, ‘Era-Coat MDF Primo’ extends the use of MDF powder coatings to a larger range of high end products within the furniture industry. 

“With the launch of ‘Era-Coat MDF’, we are empowering designers to design, colour and coat MDF to the highest standards. The unveiling of this new range underlines our continuous efforts to introduce technologically-advanced coatings that answers the specific challenges faced by the furniture and other related industries,” concluded Conreur.

New high-end floor coating ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’ specially formulated to be home and environment-friendly

April 06, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has launched in the UAE, ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’, the first floor coating based on ‘nanotechnology’, a technology that involves the development of materials with particles at a molecular scale. Now widely available across the Middle East, the new high-end water-based, semi-gloss floor coating is specially formulated to be home and environment-friendly.

Ideal for areas with high foot traffic areas as well as light duty floors, ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’ is a fast-drying, 100 per cent pure nano acrylic floor coating solution that offers excellent durability, UV protection and aesthetic properties. It is more abrasion-resistant than the normal acrylic technology, produces low emissions and does not have a strong odour, as harmful solvents used in its production have been replaced with natural water. ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’ also features anti-bacterial properties that prevent fungus and bacteria build-up on surfaces.

“‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’ is Jotun’s first product to be based on pure ‘nanotechnology’, and is the result of our sizeable investment of time and resources into product research and development,” said Terje Langmoe, Concrete Concept Manager, Jotun Coatings. “This unique and environmentally sound product meets the needs of the common end-user segment, and addresses the market’s call for consistency, quality and sustainability across the range of paints and coatings.”

Easy to clean with water and non-reactive to day-to-day detergents, ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’ can be used for floors requiring a fast-drying, easy-to-apply, light duty floor coating, such as within exhibition halls and other venues for indoor events. Available in a stunning palette of more than 1,000 colours, the coating is guaranteed not to lose its colour and shine even when exposed to sunlight, and can handle mild spillages and light pedestrian traffic within factories, warehouses and garage showrooms.

“The launch of ‘Jotafloor Rapid Dry WB’ is reflective of our continuous efforts to offer the latest product innovations in paints and coatings technology, to satisfy the increasingly complicated requirements of our regional customers. This new product is targeted towards the end-user market for application-specific premium paint and coating products, and is part of our commitment towards ensuring the availability of suitable high quality paints and coatings in the region,” concluded Langmoe.

500,000 litres of paint and protective coatings used to protect and decorate ‘Meydan’ project

March 25, 2010

Jotun, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, adds lustre to the prestigious ‘Dubai World Cup’, the world’s richest race, which will be held on March 27, 2010 at the newly opened ‘Meydan Racecourse’. A total of 500,000 litres of paint and protective coatings were used to protect and decorate the UAE’s new iconic horseracing development, as well as the ‘Grandstand’, ‘The Meydan’ Hotel and the bridges that connect to the ‘Meydan City’ development.

The special requirements of the ‘Meydan’ project has resulted in the combination of Jotun’s anti-carbonation systems, including the ‘Jotashield Top Coat Matt System’, a 100 per cent pure acrylic based paint specially formulated to withstand the harsh Middle East climate, which was used to coat 20,000 sq. metres of basement walls and columns. In addition, ‘Jotashield Tex Ultra System’, a durable, pure acrylic paint that offers unique UV resistance and superior flexible concrete/plaster protection system that helps link cracks up to 2.6 mm, was used on the 20,000 sq. metre surface of the bridge.

“Jotun products have been the preferred paint and coating by a number of high profile projects in the UAE. Having worked on ‘Meydan’ is one of the latest projects that bring us much pride,” said Eirik Kristensen, Regional Marketing Manager - MENA, Jotun Paints. “Our range of protective and decorative paints and coatings have been tried and tested to deliver its promise of longer life cycles and superior aesthetic value through our selection of specially-formulated products available in an array of vibrant hues, which continue to encourage leading master developers to choose Jotun Paints.”

A total of 275,000 sq. metres of internal walls and ceilings within ‘Meydan’ were coated with ‘Fenomastic Emulsion Matt System’, a high quality acrylic copolymer based emulsion paint with outstanding washability, hiding power and colour retention properties. In addition, metal doors and window frames spanning a total area of 5,000 sq. metres have been painted with ‘Fenomastic Enamel System’, a lead-free, premium quality enamel paint with maximum resistance against yellowing, giving a tough yet smooth finish and good hiding and adhesion properties.

Furthermore, ‘Steel Master’ with ‘Pioneer Top Coat’ was used to coat steel surfaces of ‘The Meydan’ hotel and inside the car park. Formulated to provide superior fire protection in cases of fire, the coating expands into a meringue-like insulating layer, which greatly extends the time needed for the steelwork to be weakened by rising temperatures. For corrosion protection, a system comprising in ‘Penguard Primer‘, ‘Jotamastic GF’, and ‘Hardtop AS’ was used to provide long lasting corrosion protection through hard wearing resistance of glass flakes in a glossy finish, and excellent UV and abrasion resistance.

A project of Meydan Group LLC, the ‘Meydan’ project includes ‘The Meydan’, the world’s first five-star trackside hotel, the ‘Meydan Grandstand’, the ‘Meydan Museum and Gallery’, an IMAX theatre to the luxurious Grandstand Corporate Suites and the renowned ‘Meydan Racecourse’.  With a total of 285 rooms and suites, ‘The Meydan’ features excellent views of the race tracks and concert stage with nearly 95 percent of all rooms having clear views of the action, while the ‘Meydan Grandstand’ covers a length of 1.6 kilometers and has a capacity of over 60,000 race-goers.

“Only Jotun products could meet the unique requirements of a unique project of this nature and size. The ‘Meydan’ project will stand as a unique milestone and achievement for Jotun, and a proof to the innovative paint and coating products developed and applied by us for the most prestigious projects in the world,” concluded Philippe Fouques, Regional Manager – Protective Coatings ME, Jotun UAE.

‘Megayacht Professional’ addresses demand for increased fuel efficiency, vessel protection and reduced environmental impact within the maritime industry

March 08, 2010

Jotun Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, is set to highlight ‘Megayacht Professional’, a new range of protective and eco-friendly coating solutions for luxury yachts at the ‘Dubai Boat Show 2010’. The unveiling of the new coating range is in line with the manufacturer’s aim to address the growing demand for increased fuel efficiency, vessel protection and reduced environmental impact within the maritime industry. The event, which is slated to run from March 9th to 13th, 2010 at the Dubai International Marine Club - Mina Seyahi, is expected to host more than 25 super yachts exceeding 21 metres, with more than 400 boats to be put on display in the water and onshore.

Developed through leading edge technology in paint and coating production, the ‘Megayacht Professional’ range is comprised of high performance top coats, antifoulings, primers, undercoats, fillers and sealers, which have been formulated to give luxurious water vessels a silky gloss finish while keeping their underwater hulls clean. The range also includes tributylin (TBT)-free antifoulings, which provide effective protection against algae and slime for vessels that are docked for long periods of time. As a true testament to the superb quality of Jotun’s products, local yacht builders like Gulf Craft, Riviera Boat, Dry Docks World, Al Shaali Marine and Abu Dhabi Marine will showcase Jotun-painted vessels at the event.

“Dubai and Abu Dhabi are transforming itself into a global tourist destination, and is witnessing a growing number of private superyachts in its most important marinas,” said Stein Kjolberg, Regional Marine Director, Jotun Paints. “By launching this range of products, we have an excellent opportunity to help the industry resolve some of its most pressing issues, especially those pertaining to vessel protection and environment-friendliness. Our goal is to provide solutions, which will answer these concerns amidst the still very promising potential of the superyacht industry despite the economic crisis, and solidify our current standing as a leader in luxury yacht coatings market.” 

The ‘Megayacht Professional’ range include the following products: ‘Megagloss’, a high gloss two-component linear polyester-polyurethane topcoat that combines extremely high gloss with extremely high resistance to UV light, with outstanding abrasion resistance and to salt spray and water; and ‘Megayacht Imperial Antifouling’, which provide superyachts that are stationary or docked for extended periods of time long lasting protection and up to 60 months of foul free service, reduced fuel consumption and increased speed. Furthermore, the range also includes ‘Megafiller Multi’, a multi-purpose solvent-free, ultra lightweight epoxy fairing compound or filler with increased resinity, which gives added durability, particularly where resistance to mechanical impact and water ingress are concerned.

“The proven effectiveness of our yacht coating solutions continues to motivate us to develop our products using leading edge technology to provide extended features and long lasting protection. As the maritime industry continues to grow, we will be investing in our research to ensure that the market has access to the best coating solutions for the magnificent megayachts being produced. Our presence at the show is part of our commitment to the Middle East maritime industry, and we are continuously building our investments in research and development to provide a unique balance of performance and economy for our clients,” concluded Kjolberg.

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