Jotun to expand its factories.

Jotun Paints is to set up factories in Indonesia, China and Saudi Arabia, writes Syed Rashid Ali.

The rapid growth in the development of construction sector, shipping industry and other major developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has increased the need for high quality paints

Mirza Al Sayegh, chairman of Jotun Paints, announced at a Press conference in Dubai in March that the new Jotun Paints factory will soon be inaugurated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister or Finance and Industry.

'This company, established 30 years ago has been growing successfully and its growth has been inextricably linked to that of the UAE. In the development of any country, the government, the contractors and the owners work together and Jotun works very closely with the people and trusts the economy of the UAE and produces the best quality products. This new plant at Al Quoz is the company's largest in the Middle East with a new sophisticated regional laboratory which shows that Jotun is committed to the UAE's progress.'

Regarding the future growth potential in the region, Al Quoz office, Erik R Aaberg, managing director of Jotun UAE said, 'Our plans for future are quite ambitious. The sales budgets have increased by 15% compared to 2003 with a result, which is planned to be 13% better. The company plans to expand its business and will set up factories in Indonesia, China and Saudi Arabia.'

This new factory has been designed according to Jotun's stringent Health, Safety & Environment standards and production or paints will be fully computerised along with other innovative material handling and HVAC systems will drastically cut production turnaround times.

The company is trying to get the mega projects such as the Palm Beach, Dubai Marina and focusing on 'Single Source Solutions' which is a strategy on Industrial and Commercial buildings and offers Protective, Intumescent Floor and Decorative finishes to major civil projects currently underway in the region.