DuluxGroup’s PNG headquarters are in Lae, where it has manufactured paint and chemicals for over 40 years. It employs about 100 people between Lae and Port Moresby, and has trade depots in Kimbe, Kokopo and Madang.

Seventy percent of DuluxGroup’s coatings products are made in PNG.

Today, its activities involve the production of surface coating, preparation and chemical products and related services.

It supplies industrial chemicals to the mining, oil and gas, agriculture, food and beverage and water treatment sectors. Seventy per cent of its coatings products are produced locally.

Best of both worlds

The Papua New Guinea operation enjoys the best of both worlds with its local manufacturing and distribution presence able to draw upon the substantial resources of its Australian parent company, which is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of around AUD$1 billion.

Revenues from PNG grew in 2011, spurred on by the resources boom, and the company plans to continue to invest in consolidating its position with mining, construction and industrial customers, with particular focus on the increased commercial activity created by the ExxonMobil-led LNG project.

Investing time and funds

‘We invest considerable funds and time in product innovation, to ensure we keep pace with PNG’s current construction boom and broader social trends’, says Andrew Gunn, General Manager of DuluxGroup (PNG). ‘This includes an increased focus on environmentally-friendly products.’

It also has a strong focus on product knowledge training, through the Dulux Academy, and organises the ‘Architctures and Builders Expo’ annually to strengthen the network of architects, builders, specifiers, contractors and resellers.

The company’s other notable recent achievements in PNG include the relaunching of the Selleys brand to major reseller customers and an agreement to sponsor restoration work at the Port Moresby Botanical Gardens.

First published in Made in PNG 2012