Jotun opens new factory in Brazil
Jotun has announced the opening of a new marine and protective coatings factory outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new facility is the company’s first in South America, and will have an annual production capacity of 10 million litres.
The opening ceremony, that took place on November 17, 2015, was attended by H.R.H. The Crown Prince of Norway, Haakon, who officially opened the factory. The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Monica Mæland and local representatives from the State of Rio de Janeiro and the City of Itaborai were also present.
The factory is built on a 130 000 square meter plot of land, with a total investment of more than 100 million Brazilian Reais.
Jotun began supplying marine coatings to ships trading in the region in 1998, and in 2008 began to offer protective coatings to offshore installations, renewable energy projects and a broad range of industrial and civic infrastructure projects. Today, the company offers a broad range of advanced coatings designed to meet the challenges of users.
About 100 people are employed at the new factory, which is strategically located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and only 190 kilometres from the oil capital, Macaé. Bueno notes that seven out of ten employees have been recruited locally and most live within 35 kilometres of the factory.
Bueno acknowledges that it may take time for Jotun to grow the business in Brazil, but is confident that the new factory will help Jotun strengthen its brand – not only in Brazil, but in South America. “This factory represents a genuine milestone in Jotun’s development, and another important step in our remarkable global growth story,” he says.
- Brazil is an important country for Norwegian businesses, and Jotun contributes by creating jobs and economic growth in Brazil. The new factory is proof of their long-term perspective. I wish Jotun continued success, says Monica Mæland, Minister of Trade and Industry.
- Jotun is a professional and competent company that helps build a good reputation for Norway also in Brazil, says Helle Moen, head of Innovation Norway's office in Brazil.
