Understanding The Confusion: Plascon vs Sadolin

Following their binding agreement signed in February this year, Kansai Plascon Africa Limited, a subsidiary of Japan based Kansai Paint Co, has concluded its agreement to purchase the Sadolin Paints operations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Burundi.

Kansai Paint is a global company with major operations in Japan, China, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa. Its product offering covers the decorative, industrial, protective coatings and automotive segment. It has research and development facilities in Japan, India and South Africa.

"We are thrilled at this acquisition. Through it, we will be able to tap into Kansai's strong brand heritage, global technical capability, and trusted performance, providing us new capabilities, access to technology and knowhow which is very key in continuing to drive growth for this brand," said Sadolin's Managing Director Chris Nugent during a press briefing at the Plascon Factory in Namanve.

Speaking about the rationale for the acquisition Wim Bramer, MD Kansai Plascon East Africa said that this acquisition signals Kansai Plascon's commitment to global expansion. "East Africa is one of the fastest growing regions on the continent, with a rapidly emerging middle class, increased spending power, growing urbanization therefore, this is a good time to launch into a market that will need our wide range of products to enhance their lifestyles while also increasing our global footprint."

• In August, Kansai Plascon Africa Limited a subsidiary of Kansai Paint in Japan concluded an agreement to buy the Sadolin Paints operations in Uganda and other East African countries, as a result we rebranded our products to Plascon. All our paints carry the brand name, Plascon but our products are still manufactured to the same standards right here in Namanve and at 2^nd street, the advantage now is having a pan-African paint brand and an owner who is invested in the success of Africa.

A lot of people have been wondering and asking why you had to change the brand name from Sadolin to Plascon?

• The feedback we have received on the name change has been positive, heartfelt and honest. This speaks to the love that people have for the past brand and that is what has made it a market leader. We have invested in trying to establish the Plascon brand and explain that the Plascon brand now represents the product, people and sites of Uganda’s biggest paint company.
• To further answer your question, Sadolin is a trade name that belongs to our previous partners. Following the acquisition, we had to change our paint brand to Plascon. The people, paint and company remain the same you’ve come to trust over the last 55 years in Uganda…and that is the message we have been communicating.

Just last week, there was news that the Sadolin Paint had been launched in the market. Can you clarify the difference to our listeners?

• If our customers are looking for the original paint, made in East Africa’s most modern Paint factory in Namanve, then they need look no further than Plascon. The Paint remains exactly the same, made using the same standards, processes and by the same people. It is only the name of the product that has changed. So just because it says so on the tin does not mean that it is what is on the inside. So just because it says so on the tin does not mean that it is the original quality paint. Our customers should continue to ask for Plascon.

 I know you say that the paint quality stays the same world class quality your customers have been used to, I think what your customers will be curious about is how this transition affects the price of the product

• I am glad you ask that because we have had some of our customers come out and ask us that as well. Our prices are going to remain the same.
• Same price for the same great product.

Are you introducing or phasing out any products?

• For the transition phase, no. But down the line and as we move through the migration, we will look at the product offering across the Plascon range and introduce the right products for the needs of the Ugandan market. So customers can continue to buy our great range of products which include a wide range of decorative paints, industrial paints and auto paints.

 You mentioned that you are now a part of a global brand. How does this benefit existing customers?

• Being part of a global brand comes with a lot of new innovations, technologies and resources that previously, even if we were making great paint, we did not have access to. So if we were able to manufacture such great quality with limited technologies, what is bound to happen now we have access to so much more?
• We can therefore promise our customers to continuously improve and evolve our products to meet the trends, their evolving standards and tastes and use innovative techniques to enhance their experience with our product.
• Adding to new technologies that come with the partnership, our customers can look forward to the Plascon Visualizer mobile phone app which allows you to select the best colour themes for your spaces before you even walk into stores. All you have to do is snap a picture of any wall in your house you would like to paint or repaint, and then try out the different shades of paint available on the app and see which one best suites you.
• Since launching this app, we have seen more and more of our customers come out and experiment with all sorts of colours away from the typical cream and white that currently dominate the market.
• The app is available on Google Play Store  Apple App Store.

In summary, tell your customers what will change and what will stay the same with this acquisition

We want to disrupt customers & dealers as little as possible while offering them the same quality products and services that they are accustomed to.

The following stays the same:

• The same committed people will remain in the business and service their customers & dealers
• Loved and trusted brands like Vinyl Silk & Weatherguard remain
• The services and products that have been trusted in the market for over 50 years remain
• The location of the offices, stores and depots remain unchanged

 The following will change:

• The Sadolin name that is seen on the front of paint cans will be changed to Plascon
• The people and products will gain access to global support
• There will be immediate access to brands and products across the East African and African markets
• Access to global colour trends and marketing support

 Any last words?

• We ask our customers to bear with us during this transition period
• We will continue to give them world class paint
• We are the same great, trusted company and will continue to colour your world but with improved technologies, services and value additions that you expect from an international brand.