Berger to start operations in Russia by Jan 2007

Kolkata, Nov 29: After it's first overseas venture in Nepal, Berger Paints is going to start operations in Russia by January 2007, the company's managing director Subir Bose said here today.

Berger Paints, India's fastest growing paint company, had acquired the manufacturing facility in Nepal from the erstwhile Jenson&Nicholson in 2000.

The company, set up in 1923, had made an investment proposal of approximately two million US dollars to produce high quality decorative and industrial Paints at its plant in Russia with an initial capacity of 1000 metric tonnes per month , Mr Bose said.

The plant would be set up by Berger Paints Overseas Limited, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Berger Paints (Cyprus) Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berger paints (India) Limited.

Mr Bose further said, ''We chose Russia as we have been exporting to the country for the past ten years and have a sizeable market there. The production is for the local market there but we have planned to expand our products to other parts of South Russia as well.'' The company, which offers a wide range of paints under the name 'Lewis Berger', had successfully undertaken a major re-branding initiative to give a new identity under a new logo, he stated.

UNI