Media Centre: News & Events

Crown Paints PLC has partnered with Women 4 Cancer organization to sensitize lady painters in the country on early detection and treatment of cancer as the country marks breast cancer awareness month. According to the Ministry of Health, about 75% of women are not able to perform a self-breast examination (SBE) with only a paltry 14% being able to have a clinical breast examination due to lack of information.

Statistics from Globocan 2018 shows Cancer as the third leading cause of death in Kenya after Cardiovascular and infectious diseases combined. Every year, 48,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed with 33,000 deaths reported annually which translates into one cancer death after every 15 minutes.

Crown Paints Group Human Resources Manager Nicholas Wanambisi noted the important role Women 4 Cancer was playing in sensitizing and creating cancer awareness among women and urged corporate organizations to come on board and help in raising awareness on early detection as many women have over the years succumbed to the disease due to lack of sufficient information on Cancer management and treatment.

“Breast cancer accounts to about 20.9% among women and this is one of the reasons we have decided to visit our lady painters at their places of work such as mjengo and auto garages due to social distancing brought about by Covid-19 pandemic and sensitized them on early screening and detection services since if the disease is detected early there are possibilities of seeking treatment and saving lives”, Wanambisi explained.

Catherine Wachira, Board Chair Women 4 Cancer applauded the partnership with Crown Paints stating that both Breast and Cervical Cancer were the main cause of death with 9 women losing their lives to cervical cancer and 7 to breast cancer, calling for an urgent need for public awareness and education on cancer prevention and early detection.

“We seek to raise awareness on Cancer and emphasizes on the need for one to be self-aware and how to seek routine screening for early detection. Women 4 Cancer has been at the forefront in championing the uptake of the HPV vaccine in Kenya as a safe and effective cervical cancer prevention”, Ms Wachira explained.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the cancer vaccine to be given to 9-15 years old girls as a prevention measure. In Kenya, the vaccine is available free charge in public facilities to 10-year-old girls and given in two doses 6 months apart.

After the first COVID-19 case in the country back in March this year, many people living with non-communicable diseases such as cancer, have endured segmentation as they are perceived to be the most vulnerable group of people in the society making them not to seek medical care despite their health condition.

Paint manufacturer Crown Paints Kenya has invested Ksh 10 million in two new showrooms in Mombasa County as part of its strategy to create jobs for locals as it continues to strengthen its position by growing its market share at the coastal region.

Group Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Rao said the new showrooms will offer one-stop-shop for all painting needs where customers will be able to take a virtual tour of space with different colours, feel the textures of various paints and make an informed decision before purchasing the paint, adding that the new world-class experiential showrooms will also empower customers to make the right choice of colours for their homes with the help of a free colour consultant to guide the process and get their colour of choice dispensed in computerized tinting machines in minutes.

“Our growth strategy is anchored on research to develop tailor-made products and services that address emerging customers’ needs. The 2 new showrooms will be an addition to 10 existing Crown-owned showrooms located across the country dubbed Crown Décor World. We also have the most extensive dealer network in the country in both semi-urban and rural areas with over 1,000 dealers, including depots and dealer-owned Mini-showrooms countrywide to ensure our products are closer to the customer”, Rao explained.

Rao said the showrooms will also play a significant role in enhancing customer experience and act as a training ground for developers and the general public on the paints application process. The paint firm which opened another showroom early this month in Kisumu County is embarked on an aggressive growth strategy focusing on innovation to drive customer delight.

The new outlets located at Ratna Square in Nyali and Mombasa central business area along Gusii Street adjacent to Majid Jundan, are expected to address the growing demand for quality paint from the growing property market. A wide range of paint products in various categories such as decorative, textured and designer finishes, automotive, roof paint, and auxiliary products, painting tools and waterproofing solutions will be offered. Sample paints will be available for customers to interact with before purchase.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm with a production capacity of 3.5million litres of paint per month intends to tap into the booming property market at the coastal region to boost its revenues. The firm also plans to roll out showrooms in all 47 counties by 2022 having established over 25 outlets in the country based on three models which include company-owned, operated showrooms, company-owned, dealer operated showrooms and dealer-owned, dealer operated mini-showrooms to spur growth.

Earlier on the firm donated paint worth Ksh 1 million to repaint the entire Jela Baridi Prison as part of its corporate responsibility initiatives to create a more positive environment for communities around which the firm operate. The Group CEO said the inmates at the prison will be trained on technical skills on painting so that they can transform their building and improve the living environment.

“We appreciate the important role our correctional centres play in reforming lawbreakers and our involvement in this project is to complement our transformative agenda of providing world-class solutions whilst caring for the environment and community where we operate”, Rao explained.

Schools, hospitals, police stations and children’s homes are among other beneficiaries of Crown Paints corporate program of changing people’s lifestyles throughout the country.

Paint manufacturer Crown Paints Kenya in partnership with Jubilee Jumbo has launched a dealer-owned Crown Décor world showroom in Kisumu County as it aggressively seeks to improve and standardize the customer experience, while offering unparalleled convenience. The investment worth over Ksh5 million seeks to tap into the robust western region that is registering exponential growth since devolved governments were established almost 10 years ago.

The new facility located along Oginga Odinga Street next to Swan Centre in Kisumu central business district is expected to create jobs, both directly and indirectly to the locals by offering of a wide range of products including different categories of paint – decorative, textured and designer finishes, automotive, roof paint, and auxiliary products, painting tools and waterproofing solutions. Samples will be availed for customers to interact with the products before purchase.

Crown Paints Group Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh Rao said the new world-class experiential showroom will improve the customer experience when buying Crown Paints products and will boast of a virtual color visualizer where customers can take a virtual tour of space with different paint colors. Guidance from a dedicated color consultant and a computerized tinting machines which can dispense a range of over 6,000 shades in minutes, providing customers with a higher colour range thereby making the showrooms a one-stop shop for all Crown Paints products.

“Our strategy around growth and expansion remains to take our products closer to customers and support Crown Paints dealers to increase their sales in new innovative ways. We have the most extensive dealer network in Kenya in both semi-urban and rural areas with over 1,000 dealers, including depots and Crown Décor world-class showrooms countrywide to address customers’ needs”, Rao added.

Jubilee Jumbo Director, Indravadan Patel said there has been significant business growth between the two firms over the years leading to increased sales and Jubilee Jumbo one of the largest dealers of Crown Paints products in the western region.

“We are excited with this partnership as more innovative products will be able to our customers. This will increase foothold and open up more business opportunities for both firms in the market” he added.

The NSE listed firm with a production capacity of 3.5 million litres of paint per month plan to establish showrooms in all 47 Counties to boost customer accessibility, sales and customer preferences.

So far, the firm has over 20 showrooms in the country based on three models which include company-owned, operated showrooms, company-owned, dealer operated showrooms and dealer-owned, dealer-operated mini-showrooms.

Crown Paints Kenya PLC; the leading paint company in Kenya has proudly received the triple ISO certification: Integrated Management System (IMS) Certifications:

• ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management system
• ISO 14001:2015 Environment Management system
• ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management system

ISO certification is one of the most rigorous and well-regarded standards in the world. Team Crown Paints Kenya PLC was audited by Bureau Veritas, and was presented with their certificates on 12th August 2020.

Paint manufacturer Crown Paints has given Githunguri Police Post in Utawala, Machakos County a new look. The police post is currently in the process of being upgraded to a full-fledged Muungano police station.

As part of the improvement process to meet the required standards, the post needed repainting work that got the attention of Crown Paints corporate responsibility team. The team decided to give the station a facelift using its waterproof exterior paint, Permacote Ultraguard with Silicone produced with silicone technology from Germany that helps to withstand extreme weather conditions for a very long time and for the interior Silk Emulsion which is a washable and virtually odourless paint.

Athi River Sub-county Police Commander Superintendent Catherine Ringera, said the station’s face had totally been transformed and urged the firm to take up more similar projects to change the face of many police stations across the country.

“This is a great initiative by Crown Paints to undertake the makeover exercise of Githunguri Police Post, we want to compliment them and encourage other like-minded organizations to work with us for the betterment of our society.” She said the station now looks friendlier which gives the officers peace of mind while executing their official duties.

Crown Paints Group Human Resources Manager, Nicholas Wanambisi, said the firm has over a period of 5years invested over Ksh 100 million in transformative projects that change people’s lives.

“We appreciate the important role played by the police in law enforcement and we embarked on this project to complement our transformative agenda of providing world-class solutions whilst caring for the environment and community where we operate”, Wanambisi explained.

He said the partnership will go a long way in enhancing Muugano Police Station image and create a positive ambiance not only for the police officers but also for those who may seek services at the station.

Schools, hospitals, police stations and children’s homes are among the greatest beneficiaries of Crown Paints corporate program of transforming people’s lifestyles throughout the country.

Other programs include a painter’s loyalty program called Team Kubwa where thousands of painters have been trained at no cost to become professionals. The same program has now been developed into a first-ever savings and credit union for painters in Kenya with the aim of financially empowering members of the loyalty program and helps them develop a savings culture to achieve their desires

Crown Paints, Kenya’s leading paints and coating manufacturer, has launched the first-ever savings and credit union for painters in Kenya, and East Africa dubbed Team Kubwa SACCO.

Born out of the success of the company’s Team Kubwa initiative, the SACCO aims to financially empower members of the loyalty program and help them develop a savings culture to achieve their desires.

“Painters play a fundamental role in our business. Being the treasured partners in our value chain, Crown Paints, has seen the need to provide them an avenue for financial support and in addition help them ease the economic burdens that have been escalated by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” said Crown Paints Kenya Plc Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Rao.

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Rao noted that the savings and credit union will enable members of the Team Kubwa program to raise capital to enhance and grow their businesses while still enjoying all the other benefits of the program such as redeeming points for instant rewards including airtime, shopping vouchers, KPLC tokens, home appliances, professional tools and more.

Eva Wachiuri one of the Sacco officials, also a painter and Interior Decorator applauded the move saying “Team Kubwa Sacco has come at an opportune time when I can save for my long-term investments and ultimately for my retirement projects when I exit the industry as it’s physically engaging and productivity dwindles with age, therefore, it is paramount to plan accordingly.”

Team Kubwa SACCO is facilitated by Crown Paints and is exclusively run by painters. All Team Kubwa members are eligible to join. To become a member of the SACCO, one needs to register, buy shares, and start saving to qualify for loans.

Registration costs Ksh. 1,000 in points or cash however; there is an Early Bird Discounted registration of Ksh. 100 for the first 1,000 painters. To register, one can use the Team Kubwa points and access the Team Kubwa App or send an SMS with the words ‘Sacco 1,000’ to 20543.

Buying shares involves a non-refundable Share Capital at Ksh.10 for 500 shares. The shares can be bought in installments by using points through the Team Kubwa App or by messaging ‘Sacco 600’ to 20543 or in cash through Paybill 400222 and using the Business No: 581307 with registered name.

After registering and buying shares, painters can start saving, in points or cash. Borrowing funds from Team Kubwa SACCO can be done after 6 months of membership and continuous contribution.

More information about the particulars can be obtained by contacting Crown Paints call centre through 0709 887000.

“.. a fast action anti-germ & anti-bacterial formulation to protect hands from germs causing infections offering 99.99 % germ protection with 84% alcohol.”

Paint Manufacturer, Crown Paints Kenya has unveiled an alcohol-based Crown Hand Sanitizer. The sanitizer is a fast action anti-germ & anti-bacterial formulation to protect hands from germs causing infections offering 99.99 % germ protection with 84% alcohol. The firm’s Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Rao said: “the alcohol-based sanitizer which has been approved by the government agency KEBS will be able to address the high demand for the commodity particularly during this period the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The new hand sanitizer will act quickly and very easy-to-use as it doesn’t require water and towel to dry. Crown hand sanitizer contains ethanol as the active ingredient and has a broad spectrum of activity against viable bacteria, fungi, enveloped viruses, non-enveloped viruses, gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria”, Rao explained.

Since the outbreak of COVID– 19 virus in the country over a month ago, the government has maintained strict guidelines and measures to be undertaken by the public to curb the spread of the highly infectious disease. Among the measures that were announced include practicing good hygiene through washing hands or use of hand sanitizers, use of face masks and maintaining social distancing, among others.

The demand for high levels of hygiene required has led to more demand for products such as water, soaps, hand sanitizers and antiseptic solutions in the country, which has led to the paint company diversifying its business to tap into the new market demand.

Rao said the new Crown hand sanitizer is clear liquid in colour with a herbal fragrance and contains 84 percent ethyl alcohol. One needs to apply the sanitizer on hands and rub them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. The Crown sanitizer is effective to kill infection-causing germs & keep safe hands.

The Paint CEO said Coronavirus pandemic had adversely affected all aspects of people’s lives, particularly the economy with disruption in the supply chain, construction project delays and the informal sector due to social distancing and the required government stay-at-home order to reduce the spread of the pandemic. “These are unprecedented times for us a country, and it is imperative that we all adhere to the ministry of health guidelines to overcome this pandemic and normalize our lives,” Rao urged.

He said the new product will be produced in various sizes such as 60ML, 120ML, 300ML, 500ML Squeezy bottle, 500ML Spray bottle, 1L, 5L (Jerry Can) and 20 L (Bucket with tap) to meet the needs of a variety of the population and the smallest SKU will retail for as low as Ksh. 108.

Listed Paint manufacturer Crown Paints, over the weekend, launched the latest innovative exterior paints product to protect buildings from extreme weather conditions that cause dilapidation and loss of value in the property market.

The CEO Rakesh Rao said Crown Ultraguard Protect will offer over 15 years protection from water, dust, colors fading and crack bridging, maintaining property value for a long time. The products are based on the German Silicone Technology & have unique features like dirt pick up resistance & crack bridging along with water repellent property & UV rays protection. The product formulation is tested in Germany labs & extreme physical condition for durability.

The new paint doesn’t allow water to penetrate thru film due to silicone components in products same time allow moisture to breathe out from the concrete, while hindering water from outside to penetrate the walls. Ultraguard Protect has high-quality raw materials that protect from ultraviolet rays which are responsible for fading of colours & maintaining the building to look fresh for many years. Crown Paints was 1^st company to introduce Silicone technology in the year 2015 with high-performance paint with unique water repellent property & this year again Crown Paints have introduced a combination of advanced silicone technology which give dirt pick up resistance & fiber reinforce technology which covers or bridges the cracks up to 1 mm over concrete due to expansion and contraction,” Rao added.

The new innovative paint is part of the firm’s strategies to tap into the growing property market in the country by protecting walls and creating more jobs, both directly and indirectly in the market.

The exterior products are expected to protect walls from water, moisture, dirt and UV rays for years if used effectively on walls by following the recommended paint system, i.e. using Crown undercoat emulsion for exterior & interior or Crown 3 masonry primer followed by skim coat Crown Walplast cement putty for the exterior. Ultraguard protect comes in various sizes in 20 litres, 4 litres and 1 litre and over 9000 shades are available in the market.