Jotun Group to open 15 retail outlets in Kerala

Kochi, May 30: The Jotun Group, one of the world's leading paint groups has announced the opening of three exclusive retail outlets in Kozhikode region of North Kerala. These will be located at Kozhikode, Payyannur and Perienthalmanna.

The group currently has eight retail outlets in the Calicut region and plans to set up 15 exclusive paint showrooms by end of 2008. These unique showrooms, known as 'Multicolour' centres, will offer a wide range of facilities.

Commenting on the group's plans for North Kerala, Percy Jijina, General Manager - Decorative, Jotun India Pvt. Ltd. said: "With the setting up of our first full facility manufacturing plant in Pune in March, we are all set to cater to the Indian market. Kerala is a big market, especially the North Kerala region, which includes Calicut. We plan to open 15 outlets in the region and 35 in Kerala by end of 2008.This expansion will strengthen our presence in Kerala market."

The Jotun Group is a pioneer in the manufacturing of decorative paints, industrial paints, marine coatings and powder coatings.

"The paint sector in Kerala offers huge potential. Decorative paint market in the state is estimated to be Rs. 500 crore, out of which North Kerala is estimated to be Rs. 200 crore.

Our strategy for this market is to open exclusive retail outlets supported by localized marketing activities," added Jijina.

The company is present across 67 countries with over 40 manufacturing facilities worldwide, which contribute to annual revenues of US two billion dollars. The plant in Pune has been set up at an investment cost of US 25 million dollars. It will have a capacity to produce up to 50 million litres in wet paint and 10,000 metric tones of powder coatings.

The manufacturing plant is a zero-emission and completely environment friendly plant. The key features of this manufacturing unit include a well-developed recycling process; wherein the waste emitted by the production processes is purified internally within the plant and the recycled water is used in the plant itself.

The Indian paint industry is growing at 17 per cent per annum and is valued at Rs. 80 billion.

The per capita consumption of paints in India is very low at 1.2 kg per annum when compared to 12 kgs in the South East Asian nations and 22 kgs in developed countries.

The global average per capita consumption is 15 kg. In India, the industrial paint segment accounts for 30 per cent of the paint market while the decorative paint segment accounts for 70 per cent as against the global average of 50:50.

Founded in 1926 in Norway, Jotun is one of the world's leading paint manufacturers. The group consists of 67 companies and 40 production facilities around the world and is looking at strengthening its presence in India. Outside Europe, Jotun has a very strong presence in the Middle-East and the Asia Pacific region.

Jotun India Pvt. Ltd. set up shop in India 2005, with an intention of providing a single source solution for all paints and coatings.

ANI