PROPERTY TRANSACTION GUIDE

Paint Makers List Measures To Address Ailing Sector
By Michael Simire, Houses & Homes Editor

Independent, Monday, 7th September 2009

Paint makers, operating under the aegis of their umbrella body - the Paint Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMA), have called on the authorities to urgently develop the nation's petroleum industry in order to provide the much-needed local raw material base to the paint manufacturing sector.

PMA Chairman, Mr. Bola Olayinka, who made this submission a week ago in Abuja at this year's edition of "Archibuilt," also called for a considerable improvement on the current state of infrastructure nationwide. He said this would go a long way towards improving the capacity/capability of local paint manufacturers to produce premium paints that meet standards specified by the draft National Building Code (NBC).

Archibuilt is a yearly symposium and exhibition on building materials and the construction sector organised by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA). The inaugural forum held in 1990.

Olayinka, who is Managing Director of the Lagos-based DN Meyer Plc, also called for the patronage of indigenous premium paint manufacturers, saying that this would ensure the elimination of fake and adulterated paints from the market including imported brands, which he said are often of a poor standard.

In a presentation that sought to review the capacity/capability of the nation's paint manufacturers to meet the minimum standard and premium needs as per the agreed specifications in the NBC, Olayinka lamented that both micro and macro issues combined to limit manufacturers' potential.

Using his firm's model as a benchmark, the paint maker emphasised that the nation was in the right track in the provision of premium paints. He noted that DN Meyer had put in place certified production facilities, embarked on staff training programmes, and created dealership network as well as the 600-man Meyer Painters' Club.

"This ensures a uniform price regime nationwide, along with professional applications to give nothing but a perfect finish, even as the various sales schemes help finance projects," he said.

DN Meyer participated in Archibuilt 2009 as a Gold Sponsor. Olayinka's paper was titled: "Evolution of a National Building Materials Policy 2 - Building Materials Manufacturing and Distribution."

Two years ago, the firm bagged the Paint Manufacturer of the Year 2008 award. Incorporated in May 1960, DN Meyer manufactures architectural, auto, high protective coatings (HPC) for the oil/gas sector, as well as other industrial paints.