Renner Italia, a wood coatings company that took birth in 2004, has already climbed to the top-three podium in that country, and has set sights on India’s large, untapped potential in the sector. Although Renner entered 10 years ago, its partnership with the paints major, Asian Paints, paid it rich dividends within 5 years. India now stands as its third-largest export market (Euro 10 million), behind France and Russia.
Later this year, Renner India will start marketing its products – from water and solvent-based wood coatings for wood floors, fire-retardant doors etc. – under its own label, but with assistance of Asian Paints’ 2,000-strong network of outlets.
It has production facilities in Italy and Brazil, but operates commercial subsidiaries in the UK, US, France, Spain, Poland, Hungary and India. It will soon take on its new avatar of Renner-India, according to Mr. Christopher Henry Duray Samy, Technical Head in India.
Renner’s strength is its indomitable research and development facilities and strategy. It holds rights to more 8,000 formulae in wood coating, and churns out five new products per day, Christopher says. “We are a highly specialised company: where there is wood, there Renner will have a solution, “Christopher quips. Renner is also looking to exploit the growing potential of other materials, such as WPC, PVC and glass.