Kansai Plascon increases Nigeria league of paint producers

Despite the economic recession, Nigeria has continued to be a destination of choice for foreign investors with the recent opening of Kansai Plascon, one the African number one coating companies in Lagos.

The launch was attended by representative of the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Mr Ibikunle Adams, Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke among other professionals in the built industry.

Designed as part of the company’s strategic expansion into Africa to bring innovative and excellent range of premium paints closer to Nigeria consumers as well as the opportunity to have a feel of top quality premium paints produced with state-of-the-art technology.

Speaking at the event, President, Kansai Plascon, Mr Hiroshi Ishino said the launch was done in partnership with Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria (PCMN).

According to him, the company has been around for a while, but in 2012 it changed its name from Plascon South Africa to Kansai Plascon to further deliver top quality products to consumers around the world including Africa.

“Kansai Plascon likes to enter into African countries with local partners to ensure that the growth and development within these countries is locally relevant and meaningful.

“We embrace the culture and unique aspects of each African country we enter, to ensure we develop our business with the utmost respect and consideration for each country.

“As the Power House of Africa, especially the West African Region, Kansai Plascon investigated the marketplace thoroughly before entering into the Nigeria market. It took three years of investigation, discussions, negotiations and development of understanding in Nigeria, before we found the right partners to join hands with to enter Nigeria.

“In PCMN, we have found the ideal partner, whose strength in manufacture, presence in key Strategic locations in Nigeria, knowledge and total commitment to quality and service, match perfectly with the Kansai Plascon business ethos.

“They have the most qualified factory operations in Nigeria and within Africa as a continent, and have the business track record, reputation, management, skilled personnel, Factory, equipment and systems to fit the needs of Kansai Plascon.

“We can therefore, manufacture all of our Premium Range products in Nigeria, which prior to this time have been traditionally imported by other paint manufacturers into Nigeria”, he stated.

Ishino further reinstated the company’s commitment towards investing in local communities by donating paints and educational materials to pupils of Shogunle and Temidire primary school in Lagos through its brand Icon Louis Saha, a foremost Manchester United player.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of PCMN, Chief Sylverius Okoli, described the launch as a new dawn in paint manufacturing in Nigeria, saying the investment was coming at a time government is talking about encouraging made in Nigeria products.

He expressed optimism that many more companies will utilise Nigeria’s huge potentials with about $400 billion in Gross Domestic products to launch their products into Nigeria markets.

Commenting on their products, the Marketing Manager, Kansai Plascon, Mr Jason Meredith said the products underwent extensive exposure tests in the harsh African environment as well as continuous technical advancements to make them confidently lead the market.