Kansai Plascon’s strategic expansion drive meets opportunity in Nigeria

Though economic recession in Nigeria continues to bite hard with severe impact on the economy, investors still see the country as an investment destination with compelling market fundamentals, bordering mainly on strong demographics.
It is no surprise therefore, that foreign firms continue to show interest in the country’s market the latest of them being Kansai Plascon, a South African paint manufacturer which recently opened for business in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The company’s opening for business in Nigeria is part of its strategic expansion into Africa as the continent’s number one coatings company and by this action, it has brought its innovative range of premium paints closer to Nigerian consumers.
Unknown to many, Kansai Plascon is not a new company, but has had, in 2012, to change its name from Plascon South Africa to Kansai Plascon to further deliver top quality products to consumers around the world including Africa.
“Kansai Plascon likes to enter into African countries with local partners to ensure that the growth and development within these countries is locally relevant and meaningful; we embrace the culture and unique aspects of each African country we enter, to ensure we develop our business with the utmost respect and consideration for each country and as the Power House of Africa, especially the West African Region.
“We investigated the marketplace thoroughly before entering into the Nigeria market. It took three years of investigation, discussions, negotiations and development of understanding in Nigeria before we found the right partners to join hands with to enter Nigeria”, said Hiroshi Ishino, the company’s President, who spoke at the product launch in Lagos recently.
“In Paints and Coatings Manufacturers Nigeria (PCMN), we have found the ideal partner, whose strength in manufacturing, presence in key strategic locations in Nigeria, knowledge of and total commitment to quality and service, match perfectly with the Kansai Plascon business ethos.
“They have the most qualified factory operations in Nigeria and within Africa as a continent, and have the business track record, reputation, management, skilled personnel, factory, equipment and systems to fit the needs of Kansai Plascon. We can therefore, manufacture all of our premium range products in Nigeria which, prior to this time, had been traditionally imported by other paint manufacturers into the country”, he added.
Ishino stressed the company’s commitment to investing in local communities and upliftment programmes by donating paints and educational materials to pupils of Shogunle and Temidire primary schools in Lagos Nigeria through its brand icon, Louis Saha, a foremost Manchester United player.