JAT recognised as world’s second largest distributor for wood coatings

Friday, 17 October 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sayerlack celebrated its 60th birthday with an event dedicated to all those who have contributed to the achievement of this important milestone. “It is thanks to our many customers, employees and suppliers, who over the years, have chosen to work and grow with Sayerlack, that the brand and the company have continued their growth,” said Sherwin Williams Product Finishes Division President and General Manager Dennis Karnstein.

JAT Holdings Managing Director Aelian Gunawardene (second from left) with Dennis Karnstein (right) and Lisa Karnstein and Joyce Gunawardene The event was attended by guests who flew in from all over the world, including JAT Holdings MD Aelian Gunawardene and his wife Joyce, as well as by the staff of Sherwin-Williams Italy. The presence of Dennis Karnstein – President and General Manager Product Finishes Division, Thomas Bergdahl – Vice President and General Manager Sherwin Williams – Europe Product Finishes Division, as well as Sherwin-Williams delegations from the UK, France and Spain, underlined the international breadth of the group.

Of special importance was the acknowledgement of JAT Holdings as the world’s second largest distributor for the Sherwin Williams range of wood coatings next to Russia. “This is a tribute not just to the management at JAT and our team whose hard work and tenacity has helped JAT achieve this but, also to our long standing and ever growing customer base,” said Aelian Gunawardene. The festivities began at Palazzo Gnudi, a charming palace from the early sixteenth century, in the heart of the historic centre of Bologna. A day of companionship and entertainment ensued, including a tour of the city of Bologna. A gala dinner was held at Palazzo de’ Rossi, a wonderful late Gothic castle in the hills of Bologna. Managing Director South Europe Dr. Alessandro Pirotta recalled the successes of the brand and thanked the customers and all the various departments of the company, while gifts were presented to the many employees who had reached the milestone of 30 years with Sayerlack. The evening’s atmosphere was both celebratory and relaxed, in a manner only possible when there is the cohesion and strength in the team. The open house on 20 September at the headquarters of Sherwin-Williams Italy, in Pianoro, brought many visitors to the centre of research and production for Sayerlack: guided tours of the plant revealed the excellent facility and the team from the Research and Development laboratories presented a wide variety of new products. The anniversary was a special moment, a stimulus to look forward to and plan for the future and a springboard to further success. The Sayerlack story began in the 50s, which was a significant decade in Italy. Since its inception, the values of Sayerlack, always underpinned by continuous research, have given the company a strong reputation and leadership in the industry. The success of the Sayerlack brand becoming so widespread today throughout the world is largely due to how it has combined know-how and creativity in its research activities. JAT Holdings are the distributors for Sayerlack in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, India, Mauritius and Seychelles. Founded in 1993 with the primary objective of providing total timber coating solutions to the Sri Lankan furniture industry, JAT follows the credo; get the right finish first, with an understanding of how important the right finish really is to the end result. JAT is currently the largest retailer and distributor of wood coatings in Sri Lanka. Consequent to successfully establishing JAT in the timber coating market, the company expanded its product offering to include a more comprehensive range of products for a wider range of surfaces and construction needs. Their current product portfolio includes decorative, domestic and industrial emulsion, exterior wall and enamel paints, maintainers, putties and plasters, ceilings, flooring, carpeting, decking, office seating and paint brushes. “Sayerlack’s future has already begun, focusing on its talents, on continuing professional growth and on its partnerships, developing over time and into the next generation. All this goes back to sharing being one of the key strengths of the company’s mission: this is what is being celebrated in the anniversary of Sayerlack: 60 successful years lived together with all colleagues and customers. Sixty years that signify experience, innovation, commitment, enthusiasm and growth; and now we look forward – to the next 60 years of success,” said Dr. Alessandro Pirotta.