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ARMOURCOAT, SUPPLIER OF HIGH END PLASTER and surface fi nishes, is expanding into Brazil with UK Trade & Investment’s help
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evenoaks-based Armourcoat, world-leading supplier of polished plasters, sculptural effects and innovative surface fi nishes, has signed a contract with a new local partner in
Brazil, where its export strategy has been supported by UK Trade & Investment.
Armourcoat, which is family owned and has been in business for 28 years, manages a UK contracting division and a global export network of more than 70 countries. The appointment of a new Brazilian partner cements its ongoing strategy to expand its global reach and break into new territories.
It was on a trip to Anhembi, in São Paulo, that a team from Armourcoat showcased its product range at Feicon Batimat 2011, the largest Latin American construction event, and agreed contracts with the Brazilian partner and conducted further market research.
From ‘Dinner by Heston Blumenthal’ at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel, to Chanel in Hong Kong, Hermes in China, Louis Vuitton in Paris, and Bloomingdales in Florida, Armourcoat has become an integral part of some of the most prestigious international architecture projects. Recent projects include the Nelson- Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, the Burj Al Arab hotel and Burj Khalifa tower, both in Dubai, and the unique Darwin Cocoon at London’s Natural History Museum. In February 2011, Armourcoat announced the addition of Ductal® to its product range at Ecobuild® at London’s ExCeL Centre. Developed by Lafarge, Ductal® Ultra-High Performance Concrete allows designers to take new sculptural approaches to concrete forms. Armourcoat holds the fi rst sublicense to manufacture Ductal® precast elements in the UK.
Armourcoat polished plasters are also in demand internationally at retail parks including Europe’s biggest retail centre, Bluewater in Kent; the Bullring in Birmingham; Neiman Marcus stores in the US; La Part Dieux shopping centre in Lyon; and the Sharjah Mega Mall in Kuwait. Armourcoat also serves the sports sector. It is the
world’s leading supplier of squash court plasters, with a staggering 85 per cent of the global market. The fi rm’s specialist hard plaster provide a faster bounce and can
take the punishment meted out by fast-moving ball games like squash and tennis.
Daniel Nevitt, group marketing director, said: “We take pride and time in creating our fi nishes. All our plasters are made from cement bases individually blended with lime, marble powder and natural stone aggregates. They are then coloured and stained with natural pigments and metallic powders. Effects range from highly polished, mirror-like fi nishes, to the more textured and natural look.” “We are delighted to announce that even with our ambitious global growth and expansion, all our products are still manufactured in the UK and 50 per cent of turnover is now export, a fi gure that is increasing year on year,” Nevitt added.
In 2009, Armourcoat expanded its overseas business with the introduction of a US-based sales offi ce and distribution centre in Las Vegas. Terry Dunk, an International Trade Adviser (ITA) with
UK Trade & Investment South East, worked with Nevitt to prepare its overseas strategy, guiding the fi rm through the support and advice available under UKTI’s Gateway to Global Growth scheme.
Dunk said: “Armourcoat has made good use of UK
Trade & Investment services to grow its business in export markets. In February 2010, it joined the Gateway to Global Growth programme for more experienced exporters. During its time on Gateway, UK Trade & Investment has supported Armourcoat’s export development in Brazil and other markets, including Lithuania, Russia and China, through activities such as market visits, attendance at key exhibitions, and reports and work plans produced by market-based UK Trade & Investment staff under the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS). These are exciting times for the company.”
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