JEDDAH, 21 June 2005 — The market for paints has marked a dramatic expansion with the ongoing construction boom across Saudi Arabia.
“The size of the local market for paints for all purposes is in the region of $700 million,” Chris Hutton, regional director, HEMPEL Middle East West, said yesterday. “The market for paints is keeping pace with the boom the Kingdom’s construction sector is witnessing,” he told Arab News at an event that marked the opening of the company’s biggest paint showroom in the Middle East, at Sitteen Street.
The showroom boasts a ladies only section.
The company also announced its major expansion plans for Jeddah, which include a new warehouse and a new factory near the East Ring Road on Palestine Street in Jeddah.
The new warehouse will enable increased distribution of the company’s decorative, industrial and marine coatings throughout the Western Province. In addition, a license has been obtained to set up a factory at the same site, which will initially focus on blending and color matching specific ranges of decorative products but will later be extended to manufacturing a wide range of products.
“This facility will substantially increase the product and color customization service that the company offers and improve the level of customer satisfaction,” Hutton said, adding that the factory is expected to become operational later this year.
The new showroom claims to be a totally new experience and is the first of its kind with more than 500 sq m of retail spaces. “It’s the biggest HEMPEL showroom in the Kingdom and the region, Hutton said, adding that the showroom is an innovative and exciting concept and is totally dedicated to the selection of the correct paint and type of paint system to suit specific needs. “It is sure to be popular with both homemakers and professional decorators as an inspirational way of selecting the right products and colors for the perfect finish,” Garth Sutherland, marketing manager decorative at HEMPEL Middle East said.
“Our initiatives reflect the strong growth of the Kingdom’s paint industry in general and decorative paint sales in particular,” he added.
An important feature of the new retail premises is the inclusion of a separate showroom exclusively for ladies. Called Alwan and staffed by female specialists headed by Oula Al-Waraa, this is an area where ladies can make their decorating decisions in comfort and privacy.
“Here the exact mood required can be created and matched to the selected fabrics and furniture,” Al-Waraa said.
In both the men’s and ladies sections of the new showroom, a selection of more than 25 room set combinations are on display and trained staff will help the visitors to arrange many more combinations. Also, for exterior paint finishes, special Casa displays show color effects on walls three meters high to help the homeowner to envisage his choice on a large scale.
In addition, the full-range of the company’s protective and marine products and systems are on display, showcasing its experience and leadership in industrial protection.
To celebrate the showroom opening, the company has planned a number of activities over the next few months, including offers on quality brands and prizes, which include free paint for complete villa makeovers.
