Pierre Malmartel
Managing Director
Kalon International Division

Duppie Du Plessis
Managing Director
Prominent Paints SA

Pierre Malmartel, the new chairman of Prominent Paints, studied economics and engineering at the Paris Ecole du Petrole et des Moterus, and Ecole Arts ef Metiers, a renowned establishment with over 200 years of tradition.

After finishing school, he chose to do his national service in Venezuela, where he spent two years teaching economics at Caracas University.

In 1980, he joined the economics department at TOTAL.  Six years later he was given financial control of the chemical, excavation and agriculture divisions within TOTAL.  In 1990 he became financial director of TOTAL CHIMIE (the chemicals division of the group) and has worked directly for the coatings division since 1994, when he became financial and strategic director.

When TOTAL became major shareholders in Kalon UK he became their International Managing Director.

Pierre values honestly, openness and trust in his working relationships and feels that discussion is of vital importance to management.

  Since joining Kalon he spends 2-3 days a week in planes, travelling to all parts of the world, he always tries the local cuisine but makes a rule of not drinking tap water when he is in tropical countries.

Born in 1949, Duppie graduated from school in 1966, and started work for the South African Railways whilst doing his military service.

On completion of his military service in 1968, Duppie began work at Dulux, in their research laboratories.  He soon realized that without a tertiary education it would be a tough career, and started studying part-time.  He completed his National Diplomas in Paint Science and Analytical Chemistry and was promoted to Factory Chemist.

He also started lecturing in Paint Science and Analytical Chemistry at Wits Technikon part time.

In 1980 Duppie joined hands with Andries Ruthven and Tony Niemandt and started Prominent Paints.

In 1997, Prominent managed to get Kalon interested in Prominent Paints and started a joint venture.

Kalon appointed, together with the Prominent Directors, Duppie as the Managing Director of Prominent Paints.

Duppie likes any sport, but is particularly supportive to rugby, cricket, golf, fast cars and motor racing.  Duppie loves people with great commitment, integrity and positive personalities.

About Us

A.P. Niemand Production Director	B.G. Van Rooyen Financial Director	M.C. Langley Technical Director

In the 1980’s, the dreams of three people became a reality, when Prominent Paints opened its doors for the very first time.

Many sleepless nights, nightmares and long hours of hard work has seen to it that Prominent Paints has become a market leader in the field of decorative paints, with a turnover budget of R200 million for 1999.  Prominent Paints really is a company driven by quality.

Prominent Paints specialises in the manufacture and distribution of high quality decorative and industrial paints, which are sold under the Prominent Paints brand, to authorised distributors and stockists in all the major centres throughout South Africa, as well as carrying a large range of paint accessories.

The company is also entering new markets and has successfully entered the field of specialised coatings, by introducing its recently developed “Waterbased Epoxy Coatings”, “Twin Pack Polyurethanes” and “Masonry Coatings” range.

Prominent is at the leading edge of technology, with continuous research and development.  Quality is a major contributing factor in sales and this is why Prominent Paints operates a Quality Management System, which complied with the requirements of the SABS ISO 9002 code of practice.  The quality control laboratory subjects every product to strict standards of quality and consistency.

The Kalon Group, an international paint manufacturer, has acquired shares in Prominent Paints.  Presently Prominent Paints is the third largest paint manufacturer in South Africa and growing by the day.

To accommodate growth expectations, Prominent Paints, in conjunction with Kalon, have expanded production capabilities by purchasing, rebuilding and establishing a new Prominent Paints factory and warehouse, with offices, incorporating the latest state-of-the-art paint manufacturing techniques.

The Kalon Group is in a unique position to create strong growth and is committed to delivering significant value for shareholders.

In less than a decade, Kalon has developed into an international group, operating in over 20 countries, and is one of the largest volume decorative paint manufacturers in Europe.

Kalon has developed its competitive advantage based on its ability to understand and respond to customer needs, which is supported by state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution capabilities.  The Group’s strategy is to continue to use these proven skills and experience to extend its geographical coverage and portfolio of branded and private label products.  

The Entrance Foyer and Reception
Prominent Paints Head Office

Prominent Paints and Kalon have developed their know-how in the laboratory, and through technical assistance, which is offered to their clients.  The strength of the group lies in the product quality, decorative innovations, manufacturing and distribution expertise and teams of dedicated professionals.

Prominent Paints allocated a large percentage of the research budget to making quality products more affordable, and apart from an excellent range of products we also excel in customer service and are a fierce contender in the market.

Still situated in the Alberton Industrial Area, having just moved for the third time, to cater for our rapid expansion, we at Prominent Paints remain firm in our beliefs that quality will take us where others failed.  We remain loyal to our customers, our suppliers, our employees and the community we serve.

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