Many Ugandans are slowly waking up to the realisation that the household paint brand name “Sadolin Paints- Colour Your world” is no more. In its place is now “Plascon, colour your world.” This follows the acquisition of 100 per cent of Sadolin Paints by Kansai Plascon Africa Limited (KPAL), a subsidiary of Kansai Paint Co. Ltd (Kansai Paint) of Japan.
The acquisition of Sadolin East Africa means that Sadolin now becomes Plascon in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Burundi. As part of the transaction, the parties have also agreed to separately investigate the acquisition of Sadolin Paints’ in Rwanda
Kansai Paint is a global company with major operations in: Japan, China and East Asia; South Asia, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It is one of the top paint manufacturers and distributors worldwide with a diverse product offering covering the decorative, industrial, protective coatings and automotive space.
Thought hitherto little known in East Africa, Kansai Paints boasts of world leading research and development facilities in Japan, India and South Africa.
Sadolin Paints has been the undisputed market leader in the East African paint market with a history dating back to 1959. Sadolin Paints has been the largest paint manufacturing group in East Africa and the only one with a footprint in Kenya, Uganda Tanzania, Zanzibar, Burundi
and Rwanda with exports to several neighbouring countries including South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo , Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia.
The acquisition of Sadolin Paints is part of Kansai Paint’s global expansion strategy.
Farid Masood, KPAL CEO said the acquisition further proves Kansai Paints long-term commitment to the African continent and will reinforce KPAL ́s leading position in Africa and establish its presence in East Africa with a total population of circa 285million people, representing around 24% and 9% of the total African p population and GDP respectively.
“We are extremely excited about the acquisition of Sadolin,” he said. “Our 2020 vision is now being translated into reality as we evolve from a Southern African focused company to becoming a Pan African company, embracing the challenges and diversity of the continent.
He said Kansai’s strong brand heritage, global technical capability and trusted performance coupled with Sadolin’s respected reputation and presence in East Africa, will strengthen our position as the leading paint company in Africa.
The new owner has commited to work with Sadolin’s existing partners including distributors, management and staff to ensure the continuity of the business and services offered to Sadolin Paints’ valued customers, and to maintain its position as a market leader in the East African markets.
