Hempel Paints has opened its new decorative paints factory in Jeddah built at a cost of SR100 million ($26.7 million).

Occupying an area of 7,500 sq m, Hempel’s first 100 per cent water-based factory in the Middle East, has a production capacity of 32 million litres, said a statement.

The inauguration was held under the patronage and attendance of Ole Frijs-Madsen, Ambassador of Denmark to Saudi Arabia.

Pierre-Yves Jullien, group president and CEO, said: “The factory was built in Jeddah due to its strategic location on global sea lines and its proximity to the seaport located in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), which will facilitate logistics for exporting goods to local and global markets.”

“The decorative paints market in the region enjoys substantial growth potential where it is currently valued at SR3 billion per annum. Through this latest factory, we will meet the growing demand in the region witnessed by vast investments in new buildings and infrastructure, which rely on dependable paints and thermal insulation systems that meet the laws on energy conservation in buildings,” he said.

“The company’s total sales input in its respective market in the kingdom amounts to approximately SR400 million and we expect this number to grow during the next coming five years after the launch of this factory,” he added.

Essam Mohammed Al Suhaimi, Hempel Paints Middle East West chairman, said: “This latest factory offers products which cater to the entire market. Its variety and colour-richness will surely meet the different tastes of its consumers.”

The factory utilises the latest technologies used globally to produce paints, including power silos, automatic filling, automatic palletizing and automatic transfer of pallets to the finished goods warehouse, and is equipped with the latest machinery and highly skilled, trained and qualified labour force consisting of over 70 employees, he said.

It will also create job opportunities for Saudi youth, and to ensure that, Hempel will provide the necessary training required in order to prepare potential employees for this line of work, Al Suhaimi added. - TradeArabia News Service