Saudi Arabia has new Jotun paint factory

Jotun - 25 years in Saudi Arabia

Jotun A/S, the Norwegian paint and coatings producer, is celebrating 25 years of doing business in Saudi Arabia by opening a new SR100 million (USD$26 million), state-of-the-art paint factory in Yanbu.

Jotun Saudia Co. Ltd, the local subsidiary of Jotun A/S, already has three paint factories and a powder coating plant in the Kingdom. The new factory in Yanbu connects to Jotun's existing factory and covers a total area of 34,000 square meters. Gunnar Thoresen, managing director of Jotun Saudia Co. Ltd., said this was "in response to the growing demand for high quality paints and coatings, supported by the expanding construction industry in the Kingdom."

"With the inauguration of the new factory, Jotun's installed production capacity in the Kingdom reaches 110 million liters of paint, making it one of the largest in the Middle East."

Jotun A/S has 71 companies and 40 production facilities on all continents. In addition, Jotun has agents, branch offices and distributors in more than 70 countries including Dubai (Jotun UAE) and Egypt (El-Mohandes Jotun SAE). The company has been in the Kingdom since 1984, and says its operation there is one of the largest in the world.

Painting pioneer

Jotun A/S has received acclaim in the industry for introducing a number of concepts such as computerized tinting, special effect paints and introducing new products that are environment friendly. The company often says it goes out of its way to meet the changing aspirations of consumers.

As such, the new factory boasts state-of-the-art technologies which feature a high degree of automation and exclusively produce water borne paints.

Speaking to Zawaya, local Jotun founding partners Marie Bin Mahfouz and Ahmed Al-Amoudi said they were proud of the new site and the local market.

"Jotun's expansion in Saudi Arabia reflects the continued industrial growth of the country and the many opportunities it provides for major international players such as Jotun" said Marie Bin Mahfouz. "It's a pleasure to share Jotun's vision."

Al-Amoundi concured saying, "Saudi Arabia is an important market for Jotun, supported by its robust economic fundamentals and Jotun's rich heritage and experience."

"The construction industry here in the Kingdom continues to grow rapidly, providing a conducive environment for firms such as Jotun to harness the resulting growth opportunities," he added.

Al-Amoundi added that he reckoned Jotun has invested more than SR300 million (USD$78 million) into the region, which includes reinvestment of part of its profits.

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