Jotun, the leading powder coatings and paint manufacturer in the Kingdom, has expanded its Powder Unit in Dammam to substantially increase capacity to meet growing demand. This expansion strengthens Jotun's position as the largest manufacturer of powder coatings in the Kingdom and will allow the company to further expand its commitment to offer sustainable solutions. The opening ceremony was attended by Ambassador for Norway to Saudi Arabia Rolf Willy Hansen, who performed the ribbon-cutting in the presence of Jotun Powder Coatings SA Ltd management and board members.
The new innovative facility, which increases the production capacity to over 37%, the storage capacity to over 28% and increases the operational buildup by 45%; is designed to provide service efficiency while emphasizing the company's core values.
Additionally, the increased scale will provide new job opportunities for the local community. Andrea Meconcelli, General Manager of Jotun Powder Coatings Saudi Arabia commented: “This facility is a world class unit which portrays our core values of Respect, Care, Boldness and Loyalty, all of which provide an excellent working ethos. An expansion of our capacity also means servicing demands on a larger and a more effective scale within the kingdom, thus increasing job opportunities for locals.”
Greener Solutions
Following its ethos of consistently developing innovative solutions for the industry, this expansion will allow Jotun to introduce greener alternative powder coating solutions like Ultra Shine and The Aurora Collection. Both solutions boast new technological advances, providing sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions in powder coating technology.
A new revolutionary product for the furniture industry, Ultra Shine is a product developed to simulate the appearance of chrome but free from chromium, solvent, lead and VOC, with low waste disposal and a lower health risk to the workforce.
Inspired by the enchanting Northern Lights, The Aurora Collection is a sustainable alternative to the anodizing process providing freedom of design with an impeccable metallic effect and noticeable consistency in application, hiding any substrate imperfections, whilst also minimizing the negative effect on the environment.
The expansion effort is an accomplishment for the Kingdom, as well as Jotun. It will improve service, help the local economy by creating more jobs as well as provide better products focused towards sustainability, by eliminating hazards of using alternate technologies like chromating and anodizing.
Odd Gleditsch, Chairman of Board, Jotun A/S commented: “We are very proud to see the renovation and expansion works in the Powder unit within the Kingdom and do believe that this will reinforce our position as leaders both in Powder and Paints. We also look forward to filling the new job opportunities this has created from within the local market.”
Jotun boasts a successful track record in mega projects like Burj Khalifa in UAE, Princess Noura Bent, Jeddah Airport, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Jeddah, Lusail Multipurpose Hall in Qatar, Masdar City, Atlantis and the Louvre in UAE, Effiel Tower in Paris. Moving forward, it is also looking at expanding geographically in the Western Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to increase serviceability.
About Jotun
Jotun was founded in Norway, 1926 and is now one of the world's leading paint and coating manufacturers. Establishing its presence in the Middle East in 1974, with Jotun UAE Ltd, it has expanded dramatically throughout the region and is the first paint manufacturer to be awarded the ISO 9001: 2008, ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 certification. The company also has state of the art manufacturing facilities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Egypt.
Jotun Powder Coatings is a leading supplier to companies active in industries related to appliances, furniture, building components, pipelines, infrastructure and general industries. Powder Coatings have been designed to meet the latest industry standards and are developed with sustainability in mind, using the latest technologies. With three decades of experience in the Middle East, Jotun is at the forefront of offering customers products specifically suited to local conditions. — SG
