Sherif Megeed, Managing Director, Jotun Saudia • Interview

How is Jotun Saudia increasing its technological innovations, specifically with AI affecting the paint industry and your operations in this field?

We are a long way ahead when compared to similar industries. When it comes to our factory operations and manufacturing, we use many automated machines. We have three factories in Saudi Arabia. As one of them was established 30 years ago, we update our machinery and automation annually. When it comes to e-solutions, most of our processes are digitized now. Our ERP system is one of the latest ones, and our other operating and finance systems are digital. We handle our dayto-day activities electronically, thus eliminating the need for printing paper. In general, we are much less dependent on manual processes today.

How has the Kingdom’s shift away from being an oil-based economy enhanced and increased your business?

The impact on our business depends on the government’s spending. If the Saudi government is spending on non-oil and gas sectors, it affects our bottom line. For example, the government has announced a huge Ministry of Housing project through which some 47,000 housing units are going to be built all over the country. As paint is required for this type of construction project, we sell paints to these types of projects. But we also benefit when the government focuses on the oil and gas sector.

How is Jotun Saudia looking to leverage its international advantages as an established and highly knowledgeable local partner?

Our motto is global experience with a local presence. We have international experience and international R&D labs all over the world, so we share knowledge. But when we apply this knowledge, we try to use our local and regional R&D lab to innovate products that fit the local market and needs. Basically, we are trying to fit our international solutions to the local situation. This is why we are ahead of the game compared to our competitors. Most international companies try to bring in their products as is, while local companies do not have this international mix. Jotun Saudia is the biggest paint manufacturer with the highest number of companies, factories, and R&D centers in the Middle East.