HELSINKI, Finland - Tikkurila, which is responsible for Kemira's paints and coatings business, will strengthen its position in Eastern Europe by establishing a sales company called IP Tikkurila in Minsk, Belarus, to be responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of Tikkurila's decorative paints and industrial coatings in Belarus.

 

IP Tikkurila has its office and warehouse in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The new company is led by Mauno Nurm, Country Manager, who has several years of sales and managerial experience in Tikkurila companies in Eastern Europe.

 

Tikkurila has been exporting paints and coatings to Belarus since the beginning of 2000 through importers. A sales company owned by Tikkurila itself will boost the expansion of the dealer network and increase its market share while also improving the service for industrial customers.

 

Belarus has a population of approximately 9 million and a rapidly developing paint market with a volume of approximately 55 million liters (decorative paints and industrial coatings). Paint consumption per capita is approximately 6 liters, while the corresponding figure for Western Europe is 15-20 liters. The economic growth in Belarus has been nearly 10 percent during the past few years, and this growth rate is expected to continue.