Saudi Industrial Paint Company (SIPCO) and BS Coatings of France have signed a joint venture agreement in Riyadh to develop and promote the SIPCO brand and product lines, mainly through introducing new technologies and technical know-how. The agreement aims to support the paint brand, strengthened by the EUROKOTE and ENDOPRENE trademarks of BS Coatings. The alliance of the two “foremost suppliers of technologically advanced specialty coatings” is aimed at sustaining SIPCO’s “leading position” in the Saudi market. The JV is considered as a major step forward by the two protective coating companies to develop coating sales in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the GCC. Abdullah Al-Hobayb, chairman of United Industrial Investments Company (UNIVEST), which is the parent company of SIPCO Paints, and Gerard Gaillard, chairman of BS Coatings, signed the deal in the presence of Ali Alyan, MD, UNIVEST, and other executives from both companies. Al-Hobayb said: “SIPCO’s new JV business partner BS Coatings has a legacy of more than six decades of operating successfully in the international protective coatings market. The two partners will be complementing each other in an endeavor to further consolidate SIPCO’s leadership status in the region.” Gaillard said: “BS Coatings has been involved in pipeline protection coatings since the end of the Second World War. This JV with SIPCO gives us the opportunity to be able to seriously promote and introduce these technologies in the Middle East.”
General Motors and LG Group will jointly design and engineer future electric vehicles, expanding a relationship built on LG’s work as the battery cell supplier for the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera extended-range EVs. The definitive agreement signed recently will help GM expand the number and types of electric vehicles it makes and sells by using LG’s proven expertise in batteries and other systems. For LG, the arrangement represents a widening of its portfolio as an automotive solution provider. “Many solutions for tomorrow’s transportation needs may be available more quickly by building on our partnership strategy,” said GM Vice Chairman Steve Girsky. “Consumers benefit by getting the latest fuel-saving technology faster if we work with the best suppliers and we save time and money in the development process.” The success of the extended-range propulsion system in the Volt and Ampera led to exploring other collaborations in the electrification of the automobile. Teams of LG and GM engineers will work on key components, as well as vehicle structures and architectures. Vehicles resulting from the partnership will be sold in many countries. “This is a strategic development for LG and we fully support GM’s goal to lead the industry in the electrification of the automobile,” said Juno Cho, president and chief operating officer of LG Corp. Timing of the launch of the first vehicles resulting from the partnership will be announced closer to market readiness. The agreement does not involve an exchange of equity between the companies.
It was a distinctive sporty night for the crowd who watched the recent Spanish Super Cup final between Barcelona and Manchester United at Starvin Lounge & Cafe Restaurant on Jeddah’s Corniche with exclusive sponsorship from Hyundai. Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM), Hyundai’s sole dealer in the Kingdom, supported the event by setting up two huge stands for the latest Hyundai compact vehicles before the start of the match. This move from Hyundai was to support and share with young people their interests in various life aspects. The company introduced some new creativity through Hyundai’s 2012 Azera and Veloster cars. Wael Bakri, MYNM’s marketing GM, said: “We will extend our support and sponsorship to activate our participation in Zain Saudi league as well. Because the compact cars reflect the mentality of today’s youth, we provide the latest and fashionable models in this category — the 2012 all-new Veloster and Azera.” Mohammad Abu Hajar, CEO, Bench Mark Agency, the organizer of the event, said: “We found that an important final match like Spanish Super Cup was perfect for companies that target youth groups.” Ghasan Naser, GM, Satrvin Lounge & Cafe Restaurant, said: “I was so happy that our restaurant was selected to host this important event.” Starvin is a new Lounge & Cafe just opened in Jeddah and offers a variety of Oriental, Italian and Middle Eastern foods, he said. Benchmark, the organizing company, promoted the event through various social networking sites.
Victoria’s Secret, described as the ultimate destination for fragrance and style made famous on the catwalk by supermodels like Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Miranda Kerr, has made its grand entry into Saudi Arabia. The highly-anticipated first stand-alone Victoria’s Secret store is located at Kingdom Center, Riyadh’s popular shopping destination. The new store primarily offers the iconic beauty and branded accessory lines from Victoria’s Secret, giving customers first-hand access to a wide range of beauty products, including prestige fragrances and exclusive accessories available only in the Middle East. Customers in the Kingdom will now get their hands on the brands’ signature products like the new Victoria’s Secret Bombshell fragrance, “America’s No. 1 fragrance” Dream Angels, the Secret Garden Collection, VS Makeup, Beauty Rush and Lip Gloss, among others. The store will also offer a limited assortment of the brand’s best-selling sleepwear and innerwear. Steve Vickerstaff, VP, Victoria’s Secret in the Middle East, said: “The opening of the first stand-alone store will not only meet the local demand but also introduce the brand to new customers and spread the essence of Victoria’s Secret within the region.” The debut of the Victoria’s Secret store in Saudi Arabia is part of the brand’s growth plans for the Middle East. Following Riyadh, Victoria’s Secret, which has already opened its stores in Dubai, Kuwait and Doha, plans to expand to locations in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Muscat and Manama.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is expanding its bespoke operation due to growing customer demand for bespoke items, a trademark service by the British manufacturer of super-luxury motor cars. The Bespoke operation, based at the home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars at Goodwood in West Sussex, will see a surge of team members, including designers, engineers and project management staff, doubling the headcount by the end of 2011. It will bring the number of bespoke experts throughout the business to over 50. This year, Rolls-Royce has seen a significant increase in customer demand for personalized bespoke features, transforming the brand’s super-luxury cars into unique hand-crafted masterpieces, which are as individual as their owner’s fingerprints. Bespoke operations are not limited to design and development of automotive parts. Bespoke allows the company’s customers the luxury of commissioning motorcars to suit their personal lifestyles. Examples are as versatile and unique as picnic sets that are color-matched to a car’s interior, carefully selected luxurious interior materials or the creation of seamless storage for an owner’s favorite belongings. “The ability to bespoke one’s vehicle has always been at the heart of Rolls-Royce so it is very encouraging to see that after more than one hundred years at the very pinnacle of the automotive world, our Bespoke services are still very much in demand from customers all over the world today,” said Jolyon Nash, member of the board and director, sales and marketing, Rolls-Royce.
