WITH an increase in construction on the island, Trinidad and Tobago-based paint company Kaleidoscope Paints (KPL) is making its re-entry into Jamaica, this month, after an absense of more than 20 years.

The company brings more than four decades of invention and innovation to the Jamaican market, providing a wider range of high-quality decorative, industrial and marine paint products.

Between 1989 and 1995, Kaleidoscope Paints had a strong presence in Jamaica, but a change in ownership resulted in the discontinuation of the brand in the island.

The company will now partner with Matalon Distributors in this new push into the country.

Speaking at the launch of KPL, held at the Cru Bar earlier this week, Andrew Matalon, CEO of Matalon Distributors, explained the history and renewed connection between the two companies.

“When we used to own Facey Commodity we carried the Kaleidoscope brand. We felt as though it was quite fitting that when presented with the opportunity to collaborate with them we could not let it pass,” he said.

The sentiment was echoed by Mahindra Deyalsingh, export director of the KPL Group Ltd.

“Both our companies share similar values and hold our corporate family culture close to our strategic alliances,” Deyalsingh said. “We believe that our partnership with Matalon Distributors could not have come at a more opportune time as it will allow us to effectively represent our brand with an organisation that is well respected and established in Jamaica.”

With the addition of Jamaica to its list of markets, KPL is now in 15 countries in the Caribbean and South America. Outside of Trinidad and Tobago, Kaleidoscope also manufactures its products in St Lucia.

“Over the past five years, Kaleidoscope has come out on top against the other leading competitors as number one in whiteness, opacity, gloss, scrubbability, viscosity, and alkalinity,” Matalon said.

“The brand is renowned for its wide range of vibrant colours, best coverage, top-quality paints, stains, varnishe,s and other finishes for the home, industrial, marine, and automotive sectors. From the contractor to the household painter, together we have the brand that offers you the best value by far.”

The KPL and Matalon Distributors partnership plans to employ at least 20 members of staff with the aim of hiring even more over time. Matalon pointed to the fact that Jamaica is in the midst of a construction boom and this augurs well for the growth of the paint company in the island.

“From residential and commercial developments to hotels, the new face of Jamaica is under construction and that’s evident everywhere you look,” he stated. “We don’t expect this boom to slow down any time soon and that’s why we at Matalon Distributors plan to be an integral player with Kaleidoscope Paints in colouring and covering it all.”

As further proof of the trust of Matalon Distributors in the KPL brand, the CEO unveiled plans to use the paints on their own projects.

“We are so confident in this brand that we decided to pave the way ourselves,” he emphasised. “Kaleidoscope paint will be on future Matalon Homes projects, which are known for our high-quality finishes and designs. We feel this is a statement which shows our customers that we practise what we preach.”

Nicole Masters, marketing manager at Matalon Distributors, further elaborated that Kaleidoscope will not just be positioned as a quality product, but an affordable one that meets many demands in the market.

“It’s important that we meet the needs of the Jamaican people,” she said. “Kaleidoscope is a full coatings company therefore designed to meet all your coating requirements. Having over 12 years’ experience in marketing and sales and four years’ experience in the coating industry, I know a good product when I see it. Trusting your home or business to Kaleidoscope is a smart decision.”

KPL was established over 40 years ago in 1972 by Steven Parson as the first wholly locally owned paint manufacturing company in Trinidad & Tobago.

In 1992, the company diversified by embarking on the production of car and truck refinishes. Additional diversification included the Samba Brewing Company & Winery which was established eight years later to create a niche for handcrafted high-quality products with a competitive advantage, and private label beverage products.

Then in 2012, Kaleidoscope Paints went into the adhesives business with the acquisition of HANCO (St Lucia) and HADSL (Trinidad) — a product aligned with their main paint business.

Looking ahead and into the future, Matalon sees even bigger possibilities for KPL and Matalon Distributors in Jamaica.

“Our major development at this point is to get the Kaleidoscope brand out there and if all goes well, we will begin manufacturing at our head office next year (2019),” he declared. “We like to take things one step at a time, so once the paint line is up and running smoothly we will explore other opportunities.”