Hempel Paints’ involvement in Kuwait’s recently completed iconic Al Hamra Tower marks a milestone in the company’s operations in the country.
It overcame stiff competition to clinch the deal from paint contractor Al Intisar Trading Company and Hempel products worth KD50,000 ($179,888) were supplied for the landmark development for use on walls and on the steelwork, a Hempel Paints spokesman said, describing the deal as crucial for his firm.
Sherif Attia, Hempel area sales manager, said the contract did not come easily. “The challenge was in getting our company accredited as supplier for a long-term project such as this. But we managed to clinch the deal and all materials were supplied satisfactorily as per our commitment,” he added.
Attia said the Al Hamra Tower, built in the heart of the city, symbolised progress made by the country’s construction industry.
The 13th tallest tower in the world, Al Hamra was designed by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merril. It stands 412.6 m high and includes more than 77 floors of office space, a rooftop restaurant, a spa and a shopping centre.
In recent months, Hempel Kuwait has succeeded in winning several major projects. It has a contract to supply paints for the headquarters of Kuwait’s Ministry of Education which involves a paint area of 420,000 sq m. Work on the project is to begin soon and will be completed next year.
Hempel Kuwait is currently at work on several other major projects including the new Al Ahmadi neighbourhood involving a paint area of 60,000 sq m, a 1,343-villa project at New Sabbah Al Salem City for Al Kharafi Construction (2 million sq m), façade works for the Special Forces Camp (80,000 sq m), Alargan offices (35,000 sq m), Al Salmiya Park (100,000 sq m) and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (45,000 sq m).
Also in its list of ongoing projects are the Nursing Institute (48,000 sq m), College of Technology (70,000 sq m), College of Health Sciences (65,000 sq m of Hempel’s Contex and Mouldex brands), an 892-villa project at Jaber Al Ahmad City, where it is supplying paint for the sample houses, and Phase One of the First Ring Road.
46-YEAR PRESENCE IN KUWAIT
Hempel Paints has had a long presence in Kuwait, the company having supplied its protective, marine and decorative segments since 1966. The local Hempel Paints firm was originally set up as an alliance between Hempel, the Al Rashed family and United Industries. The company evolved into a Kuwaiti shareholding operation and has consolidated its position as the country’s premier multinational coating company. It now has Hempel’s largest showroom in the Middle East, operating in the Shuwaikh area. The Kuwait operation comprises a 6,975 sq m factory and offices covering 1,000 sq m with staff numbering 110.
Hempel produces a comprehensive range of products for the building and construction sector including high-quality emulsions and enamels, various texture paints, primers, sealants and fillers to provide customers a complete solution. To complement the core assortment of decorative paints, it offers a number of special-effect paints to create such distinctive surfaces as velvet or marble.
These paints have been developed for various climatic conditions, including high-temperature conditions, high humidity and wet locations as well as polluted environments, said Attia.
The decorative paints portfolio includes brands such as Contex anti-carbonation coating systems, Casa acrylic finishes for the exterior of palaces, homes or villas, Topaz finishes and textures for interior and exterior surfaces, Fusions, an easy-to-use range to create decorative painting effects, and Maestro for professional applicators and the projects market.
Hempel Paints Kuwait is part of Hempel Paints Middle East-West region which has factories in Dammam, Bahrain and Syria besides Kuwait. The region caters to four key market segments: protective, decorative, marine, container and yacht.
