According to Kansai Plascon’s CEO, Nauman Malik, the move will further entrench Kansai Plascon’s leadership position as the number one coatings company in Africa. “The realignment will allow the organisation to focus further on its expansion plans and its aim to continue leading the industry through new product innovations and focused long-term strategies.”

The 2013 focus will include, but not be limited to:
- Provide exemplary customer service;
- Innovate through extensive new product development;
- Enhance our Decorative brand leadership;
- Invest resources in expanding the industrial and protective coatings portfolios;
- Extend technical backing and training in the automobile portfolio;
- Expand the colourants customer base;
- Expand in East and West Africa; and
- Reduce the cost of manufacturing through cross-business synergies and operational efficiencies.

Neil Davies has been appointed chief financial officer. With 32 years of experience, Davies will continue to be part of the Executive Leadership Team of Kansai Plascon.

Doug Thomas has been named as executive director corporate strategy – a team which offers in-depth knowledge of key business areas. Thomas will continue to be part of the Executive Leadership Team and contributes a wealth of experience and thorough knowledge of the business.

Alan Singh has been appointed group executive human resource. With 18 years of technical and manufacturing experience, Singh will join the Executive Leadership Team and will be responsible for all strategic and operational initiatives. He will also continue as senior executive manufacturing plascon until an executive director of operations has been appointed in early 2013.

The new executive director operations will be responsible for all manufacturing and supply chain functions across Kansai

Previously the managing director of International Colour Corporation, Trudi Neill has been named as executive director decorative coatings. With over 20 years of marketing experience with Plascon and other leading South African and international brands, Neill will be responsible for all decorative sales and marketing activities.

Dominic Watson has been appointed group executive performance coatings. With 31 years of cross functional experience, including Technical and Commercial, Watson will join the Executive Leadership Team. The Performance Coatings team will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities of Automotive, Industrial and Protective Coatings.

Ebrahim Mohamed, who has 30 years of experience in both South Africa and the continent will continue as the executive director African operations, as well as being part of the Executive Leadership team.

Carlos Costa will continue as executive director technical and procurement. With 27 years of experience in coatings Technical and Sales in Africa and Europe, Costa will continue as part of the Executive Leadership Team.

Nauman Malik concludes, “As the industry leader, we are in the strongest position to capture the largest share of market growth and aggressively challenge other competitors for their share. We are the number one player on the continent in the coatings industry and let there be no doubt that we will continue to enhance our market leadership.”