TAGS: Wood Coatings Sustainability / Natural Coatings Polyurethane Coatings
JAT Holdings, a provider of wood coating in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives, officially expands to Africa in July 2023, through the incorporation of ‘JAT Paints Africa Limited’ in Kenya. It does through a joint venture with Mayleen Corporation, a Kenya-based diversified business house.
Accordingly, the joint venture agreement was signed by Aelian Gunawardene, managing director of JAT Holdings and Ruwan Fernando managing director of Mayleen (K) Limited, a member of Mayleen Corp in Kenya.
Strengthening Position in Wood Coatings Industry
The strategic move is set to strengthen JAT’s position in wood coatings sector across Africa, following its exceptional success in South Asia. Fulfilling its commitments to investors, the establishment of JAT Paints Africa in Kenya showcases JAT Holdings’ commitment to expand its footprint in the East African region.
Through this partnership, JAT Holdings will now be able to manufacture and distribute the brand of Sayerlack Wood Coatings and other JAT products in key markets across Kenya and East Africa.
Expressing optimism and discussing the Group’s strategic goals, Aelian Gunawardene, founder and managing director at JAT Holdings PLC said, “I
t gives me great pride to announce the successful incorporation of this joint venture with a partner who shares our vision for the wood coatings industry.”
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We plan to leverage our wealth of experience and a commitment to innovation, sustainability, providing total solutions and customer satisfaction, to redefine the market and make a lasting impact in Kenya and East Africa. This strategic partnership with Mayleen Corp marks a significant milestone and together, we are poised to set new standards of excellence,” continued Gunawardene.
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Furthermore, this partnership is aligned with our goal of establishing and growing our business overseas, to further help and support Sri Lanka’s economic rebound and strengthen the export sector,” added Gunawardene.
Setting New Standards
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Our goal is to work together to establish ourselves as a major wood coatings provider in Kenya and East Africa,” said Ruwan Fernando, founder and chief executive officer of Mayleen. “
Through our collaboration with JAT Holdings, we gain access to cutting-edge technology and expertise, highlighting our commitment to the industry.”
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Our state-of-the-art facility in Kenya caters to local market demands, offering innovative, eco-friendly and superior wood coatings,” continued Fernando.
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With the strengths of JAT Holdings and Mayleen combined, JAT Paints Africa is poised to make a significant impact, setting new standards of excellence and delivering products of unmatched quality to our customers, along with a unique customer service experience,” added Fernando.
Adopting Sustainable & High-performing Solutions
With access to JAT Holdings’ advanced technology and training, the wood coating industry in Africa is set for a remarkable transformation. Presently, the industry relies predominantly on traditional solvent-based coatings known as NC (Nitrocellulose), which may have environmental and performance limitations.
However, with the support of JAT Holdings, the industry is expected to transition towards more environmentally friendly options like water-based (WB) and other high-quality products which offer superior durability, scratch resistance and moisture protection as well as polyurethane coatings (PU).
The shift towards a WB+PU offering signifies a positive step forward in adopting sustainable and high-performance wood coating solutions that benefit both the environment and consumers.
JAT Holdings and Mayleen have also already initiated various training programs in Africa, further solidifying their commitment to the region and its economic development.
Through this landmark partnership, JAT Paints Africa is now well-positioned to revolutionize the wood coating industry, offering innovative, eco-friendly and durable products to meet the diverse needs of customers in Kenya and East Africa.
Source: JAT Holdings