This archive report was first published on 8 July 2021.
As the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, many people found themselves with more time on their hands. For some, this led to a renewed focus on home renovations, with many taking up the paintbrush to give their homes a fresh new look.
According to Noela Fafali, Customer Service Manager at Kansai Plascon Kenya, the company saw a significant increase in sales during this period. 'These customers, even as they work at home, are still painting their houses and doing renovations,' she said.
Ms Fafali attributed the surge in sales to the fact that people had more time to focus on projects around the homestead or building site. 'I think the construction industry, at the cement, steel and paint level, coped very well and didn’t see the market fall away,' she said.
Another paint manufacturer, Crown Paints, also reported a significant increase in sales, with profits hitting Sh599.5 million in 2020, up from Sh323 million in 2019. Group Chief Executive Rakesh Rao attributed this growth to the fact that people were painting their homes as they focused on renovations during this time.
Despite intensified competition in the paints market, the industry is showing positive signs. Four years ago, Japanese paint and coatings manufacturer Kansai Paint acquired Sadolin Paints East Africa in a deal worth over $100 million (Sh10.8 billion) to form Kansai Plascon Kenya.
Today, the company is a major player in the market, with a production capacity of up to 850,000 litres monthly. This has enabled them to introduce innovative products such as waterproof and anti-mosquito paints.
