On the same date, Nippe Home Products will change its name to Nippon Paint Commerce Co., Ltd. 

Nippon Paint said the reorganization is intended to combine the sales capabilities, technical expertise and product strengths developed by the two businesses.

Under the new structure, sales and technical teams will be able to work together on customer proposals earlier in the sales process.

The company cited changes in Japan's social structure, including population decline, along with increasingly diverse and complex customer requirements as factors behind the reorganization.

Businesses Involved

Nippe Home Products manufactures and sells paints and also sells building materials, DIY products, interior products and gardening supplies. Its operations include painting, waterproofing and interior-finishing contracting, design and supervision.

AS Paint manufactures and sells paints, solvents, pigments and other industrial chemicals, along with resins, oil and fat products and other chemical materials.

Its business also includes industrial equipment and contracting, design and supervision for painting, waterproofing and flooring work.

Both companies are wholly owned through Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.

Nippon Paint said the reorganization is expected to have an insignificant effect on its consolidated financial results. 

The Oct. 15 announcement is separate from a Japanese reorganization announced in July involving Nippon Paint Surf Chemicals, Nippon Paint Automotive Coatings and Nippon Paint Industrial Coatings. That restructuring, also effective Jan. 1, is intended to integrate surface-treatment and coatings operations. PCI previously covered that action. 

Combining commercial and technical functions can affect how coatings manufacturers provide formulation support, technical service and product recommendations to customers. The move represents another step in Nippon Paint's broader reorganization of its Japanese coatings operations.

Related PCI Coverage: Nippon Paint to Dissolve Subsidiary in Reorganization