Berger Paints to start Russia operations by Jan 07

New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Berger Paints will commence operations at its plant in Russia in January 2007 with an initial investment of 2 million dollars.

The unit will manufacture high quality decorative and industrial paints to start off with an initial capacity of 1000 metric tonnes per month.

This would be the company's second venture overseas, the first being in Nepal in 2000 when it had acquired the manufacturing facility from the erstwhile Jenson and Nicholson.

''We chose Russia since we have been exporting to the country for the past ten years and have a sizeable market there. The paints produced in Russia will be sold in the local market and we have planned to slowly expand our products to other parts of South Russia as well,'' company's Managing Director Subir Bose said.

The company which now offers its entire range of decorative paints under the name 'Lewis Berger' has successfully undertaken a major re-branding initiative, a move which is aimed at giving Berger a new identity under a new logo, in sync with the premium nature of its products, Mr Bose added.

The plant at Russia is being set up by Berger Paints Overseas Ltd, wholly-owned subsidiary of Berger Paints (Cyprus) Limited, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berger Paints (India) Ltd.

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