This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on November 9, 2017

PETALING JAYA: Leading Norwegian paint maker Jotun Paints (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has invested RM60 million in a new powder coating factory in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, expected to more than double its production capacity.

The investment in the new 4,800 sq m factory represents the single largest investment in global Jotun powder factory history.

This represents Jotun’s confidence in and long-term commitment to the Malaysian market, Jotun Malaysia and Singapore managing director Eric Mallace said in a statement yesterday.

Having operated in Malaysia for over 30 years, the company aims to continue increasing its market share locally and across the region, Jotun said.

“Our success [in] Malaysia has spurred us to make a strategic move to vigorously expand our presence further in Southeast Asia,” said Jotun chairman Odd Gleditsch, adding that November is a busy month for the company as it will also be opening new factories in Myanmar and the Philippines.

The new 4,800 sq m factory will be located within Jotun’s existing facility in Nilai, which also houses a solvent-based factory. It will manufacture up to 6,000 tonnes per annum and is capable of further expansion to over 20,000 tonnes per annum, Jotun said.