HEMPEL Middle East last month unveiled its largest showroom in the region in Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Industrial Area, as part of its strategic expansion plan in the region.

Karsten Pedersen, Hempel’s group vice- president – Middle East (West), comments: “The new store signifies the leadership of Hempel on the paint market in Kuwait. As an international leader in paints, we are fully aware of our responsibility in developing the paint industry by providing the market with innovative ideas and solutions.

“With this state-of-the-art showroom, we give the market the opportunity to see the latest in colour trends and paint special effects through a wide variety of colours, finishes and effects.”

The showroom will cover a total area of 1,000 sq m and span three floors – the basement, ground and mezzanine levels.

Leading the way ... the new store forms part of Hempel’s expansion drive in the region.

The basement will accommodate the tinting concept, being equipped with the latest machines to attain optimum results.  It will also be used as a warehouse for Hempel products and feature a meeting and training centre that can accommodate up to 100 people.

The ground floor will contain staff offices as well as the showroom, which will display all Hempel products including 95 of its own colours as well as more than 630 NCS colours. It will also feature screens where customers can choose their preferences and obtain the desired results. Here, skilled Hempel painters will show visitors the various steps taken when applying paint. A model miniature apartment – also on this level – displays a child’s room, bedroom and dining room.
The mezzanine floor comprises the company’s various sales divisions including decorative paints, marine, management and accounting. It also houses a conference room – to accommodate around 20 people – equipped with the latest technologies.

The complex will have ample parking in the front and rear of the building.

The new store adds to the existing five flagship stores owned by Hempel and nearly 140 showrooms of dealers around the Middle East (West).

Following the launch of the showroom facility, the company will also reveal its new 2011/2012 colour trends.

Living Trends is being introduced by Hempel in collaboration with the UK-based Global Colour Research Company.

Pedersen comments: “To the Middle East, the new brochure introduces the updated global colour trends in industries such as fashion, automotive and interior design. It consists of four trends namely Africa, Curve, Fable and Botanic, which are defined by a workshop of the most recognised designers around the world. By exploring those trends, the user can freely choose one that best suits his mood to decorate any interiors – whether it is a home, office, store or any other spaces.”

The company has already rolled out plans for other expansion projects. “In the near future, we have plans to build a new production facility in Jeddah. This move will serve the need for expansion in production capacity to accommodate the increasing demand for Hempel products in Kuwait and export markets,” Pedersen reveals.

Hempel was founded in 1915 by J C Hempel, who introduced the idea for readymade marine paint, growing to become one of the largest independent suppliers of marine and protective coatings in the world.

Currently, Hempel has 19 factories, 49 sales offices, two main and six regional research and development centres, and more than 150 stock points strategically located around the world.

Hempel’s solutions and services cover five main market segments such as protective, marine, container, yacht and decorative.

Hempel Paints (Kuwait) was the region’s first factory, which was opened in 1966 supplying the protective, marine and decorative market segments. Its customers include Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading (KLTT).