With the Western European economy improving, paintmakers serving the region’s do-it-yourself and contract markets are optimistic that business will pick up slightly as consumer confidence rises. While they are not expecting demand to skyrocket across Europe, businesses in certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, are expected to gain momentum.
That’s the word from industry suppliers who in September attended Eurocoat ‘99 in Lyon, France. Many credit the euro with helping to strengthen trade because it has facilitated price comparisons for upstream and downstream customers, says Jean Paul Gabory, Clariant’s paint manager for France.