Jotun Saudi Arabia (Jotun Saudia) will be launching a new range of products at the Saudi Building and Interiors Exhibition in Jeddah this month.

The new 100 per cent pure acrylic textured products for exterior use are targeted at independent villa owners, says Jotun Saudia marketing manager Venkat K.

Besides the new products launch, Jotun Saudi Arabia will also be showcasing its wide range of decorative paints and marine and protective coatings at the exhibition.

Venkat says the Saudi paint market is growing at a steady pace and Riyadh and the Central region in particular have seen a rapid expansion as a result of an increase in construction activities.

"Business this year has seen a phenomenal growth in sales, and has been exceptionally good both in value and volume," says Venkat.

Jotun Saudia - a joint venture between Jotun of Norway and Marie Bin Mhafouz & Ahmed Al Amoudi - was one of the first companies to establish paint manufacturing facilities in the Kingdom when it established a plant in Yanbu Industrial City almost 20 years ago.

Today, the company with a staff of 240 is one of the Kingdom's largest producers of decorative paints, marine and protective coatings from its Yanbu facility, an additional manufacturing plant in Jeddah and extensive supply network across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

The Jotun name is firmly established in the Middle East with the Jotun brand synonymous with quality and performance ever since the company established a manufacturing plant in Dubai in 1974.

''The Jotun tradition of quality assurance and technical support in all aspects of its operations in Saudi Arabia has resulted in the company obtaining the prestigious ISO 9001-2000 certification from DNV, in January 2002, the first paint company in the Middle East to receive such a high recognition,'' says Venkat.

He continues: ''Single source procurement is implicit in the Jotun supply strategy backed by dedicated technical and sales teams to meet client requirements across the decorative paints, protective and marine coatings, as well as a new range of superior floor coverings marketed as Jotafloor.

''Jotun offers a range of highly efficient products that will protect any property for years.

''Jotashield, a 100 per cent pure acrylic one-brand solution from primer to topcoat provides a variety of textures - fine, medium and ultra - in an attractive semi-gloss finish.

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

''Fenomastic Gold is a special acrylic 100 per cent pure acrylic emulsion that bathes interior plastered walls in a rich and lustrous finish.

''Jotafloor provides concrete floor protection formalised in a new range of floor protection products providing economical solutions offering lasting concrete protection and beauty. Jotafloor can be applied in commercial areas, as well as medium and heavy industrial zones.

''Jotafloor Rapid Dry, is the fastest drying single-component, glossy alkyd floor paint offering durability not normally associated with alkyd floor products. Lady Glaze, the ever-popular slow-drying, semi-transparent, painting technique product available in thousands of attractive colours is used to create a multitude of special effects on interior walls and gypsum-work by using a variety of application tools.

''Stucco Antica is of special interest to interior designers and decorators creating an attractive marble effect on interiors. Specially formulated for interior use on plaster, concrete, gypsum board, MDF, and plywood, it is recommended for prestigious interiors such as five-star hotels, high-class restaurants, coffeebars, office interiors, luxury villas, museums, art galleries and lobbies.

''Product application training is vitally important and is carried out for both sales staff and applicators.

''Also, Jotun's entire sales team is put through rigorous paint application training sessions to ensure that they are well equipped with product knowledge, both theory and practical onsite application of high-quality Jotun products.''