Nippon Paint, a Singaporean majority owned corporation, has been the market leader in China for eight consecutive years, driven by its strong research and development (R&D) capability, consumer-focus and innovative spirit.

As a leading paint company in the world, it aims to attach more importance to its R&D in the China market, in a bid to secure its dominant position.

The company so far has increased the R&D investment to more than 7 per cent of its revenues on a year on year basis.

The "Nippon R&D" centre, established in 2002, is the largest of its kind in China's paint industry, devoted to developing the environment-friendly and technology-intensive products.

The company established three laboratories in Shanghai, Langfang and Guangdong, with the investment running into several million yuan on equipment and processes.

Concerted efforts in introducing new paint technology to meet the changing needs of the consumers are reflected in consistent top-line sales. The company's breakthrough products through the years have redefined the outlook of the industry, enhancing the quality of Chinese consumers' life.

In 1999, the company pioneered the introduction of computerised colour dispensing systems by launching colour creations paint centres in Shanghai.

Now it had developed more than 1,000 such paint centres all over China.

In such centres, customers have thousands of colours to choose, and the machine can mix the colours within a few minutes.

Combining research and development with in-depth local market understanding, the company provides end-to-end solutions for virtually all kinds of painting needs - from home furnishings, high rise buildings, factories, automobiles and marine, to numerous industrial applications.

Debuted in China in 1992, it has four wholly owned factories, one joint venture and 30 representative offices, serving in almost every corner of the country.

The paint giant has a strong presence in Asia with over 20 manufacturing plants across the region.

(China Daily 08/09/2005 page1)