Jotun Saudia is a regular and keen participant at SaudiBuild and the company will be promoting several of its new high-quality products at the exhibition.

"Jotun has always done well at SaudiBuild and the exhibitions have helped promote Jotun's image as a professional supplier to the construction industry of high-quality products that meet the highest standards," says marketing manager Venkat Krishnan.

Established in 1984, Jotun Saudia started production in 1985 in Yanbu with its head office in Jeddah and branches in Riyadh, Dammam and Jubail.

Jotun's experience in the Middle East itself is longstanding, going back nearly 40 years. It was one of the first companies to set up manufacturing facilities in the Gulf and today occupies a prominent position as one of the largest paint producers in the region with an extensive supply network.

Jotun Paints Saudi Arabia, which is part of the Norway's Jotun Group, has an annual capacity of 20 million litres of paint and its range covers decorative, industrial, protective and marine paints, as well as a new range of superior floor coatings called Jotafloor.

The company employs a total staff of 240.

"Jotun Saudia manufactures a comprehensive range of sophisticated and conventional coatings for the decorative, maintenance, industrial, heavy-duty, onshore and offshore marine markets," says Venkat. "A large number of these paints are formulated specially for local climatic conditions.

He continues: "Our technical staff are highly trained and their Saudi market experience is extensive. Active in every area of coatings technology, Jotun provides products that protect buildings, industries and installations against any attacks from both nature and man. For Jotun, the protection and decoration of concrete and steel is an area of particular expertise, combining proven technology and innovative solutions with a wealth of practical experience."

"Jotun's extensive research in the Middle East has led to the development of a new range of products that will protect any property for years: Jotashield, a one-brand solution from primer to topcoat, provides a variety of textures - fine, medium and ultra - in an attractive semi-gloss finish. The eco-friendly product offers longer durability than conventional binders, protects the concrete against salts and carbon dioxide, and offers breathable coating capabilities. Jotashield Tex Ultra in particular, with flexibility of up to 1.4 mm, is able to resist hairline cracks that can develop on the exterior plaster.

"Jotashield is available in a new range of 225 high-performance guaranteed colours for exterior use, selected carefully to provide optimum stability of the painted surfaces. The paints are less sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light, humidity and alkalinity in the surface."

At SaudiBuild, Jotun will also be highlighting its 'Gold' standard in luxury emulsions - Fenomastic Gold, which is a special acrylic emulsion that bathes interior plastered walls in a rich and lustrous finish.

"With a unique HCT formula, Fenomastic Gold is impervious to internal plaster shrinkage cracks - up to 1 mm - giving lasting beauty for years," explains Venkat. "Available in more than 16,000 colours from the nearest Jotun Multicolor Centre, Fenomastic Gold fights fungus, has extreme washability and is the king of emulsions."

Another area that Jotun intends to focus on at SaudiBuild is concrete floor protection. "Our considerable knowledge in the field of concrete protection has now been formalised in a new range of floor protection products called Jotafloor," says Venkat. "This new range provides solutions that offer lasting protection and beauty with the benefits of economy.

"Jotafloor can be applied in commercial areas, as well as medium and heavy industrial zones. These high performance products offer excellent chemical and abrasion resistance and are suitable for new concrete floors as well as repair and maintenance of old existing floors after suitable and correct surface preparation.

"Jotafloor Topcoat provides an excellent system for areas requiring a dust-free, hard-wearing and aesthetically-pleasing floor coating.

"Jotafloor SL Universal is a self-smoothening coating that can be applied in thicknesses from 2 to 5 mm. Easy to keep clean, it offers long-lasting protection from abrasion and is resistant to impacts from heavy loads.

"Another interesting product in the Jotafloor range is Rapid Dry, which is a single-component, fast-drying, glossy alkyd floor paint offering durability not normally associated with alkyd floor products. Available in red, green and grey, Rapid Dry is the fastest drying floor paint on the market. It is hard wearing, easy to apply in two coats and economical. It offers protection from mild spillages, and wear and tear from light foot traffic."

Jotun will also showcase a new product called Stucco Antica, that will be of special interest to interior designers and decorators, according to Venkat.

"Creating an attractive marble effect on interiors, Stucco Antica is specially formulated for interior use on plaster, concrete, gypsum board, MDF, and plywood," he says. "It is recommended for prestigious interiors such as five-star hotels, upmarket restaurants, office interiors, luxury villas, museums, art galleries and lobbies. Stucco Antica produces a finish which is a blend of aristocracy as well as antiquity, offering several colourful options for interior decorations."

Jotun Saudia's business this year has been above expectations and the company started 2001 well with nine major project orders in hand, the largest being the Prince Abdullah Military City. For this year it has targeted a growth rate of 10 per cent.

Jotun is supplying paint to the Kingdom Trade Centre in Riyadh, which is due to open later this year. "Belonging to Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, this stunning blue glass tower is already dominating Riyadh's skyline. Jotun was selected as the exclusive paint supplier to this architectural masterpiece."

Jotun also secured the 450-villa project for Saab in Riyadh.

For both these projects, Jotun will be supplying 'phenomenal' amounts of Profile Decor, primers and topcoats.

In the Middle East, Jotun operates four other paint factories (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Egypt) and two powder coatings factories (UAE and Saudi Arabia).

Jotun currently has 35 factories around the world producing liquid and powder paints with representation/associate companies in more than 40 countries.

Jotun Saudia will be putting on a show at stand 655.