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Interview: “The US is a key growth driver”
Kansai Helios Group takes a significant step into the US market with its new site in Johnstown, Ohio. CEO Bastian Krauss discusses the strategic importance of the expansion and how European and North American expertise will collaborate to drive innovation.
How strategically important is the US market for the group today?
Bastian Krauss: The US market is currently one of the most important growth drivers for the entire group. We have been present in the market for several years through our existing powder coatings business in New York, and we can see that demand is continuously rising. The new investment in Ohio is therefore not only a logical step, but a strategically necessary one.
What role does the global Kansai Paint Group play in the US expansion?
Krauss: Integration into the Kansai Paint Group is a key success factor. We benefit from a global network of technology, R&D expertise and market presence, which gives us particular strength in North America. At the same time, as a European centre of competence, we are reinforcing the transatlantic exchange of knowledge and driving forward joint innovations.
How will the R&D cooperation and know-how transfer between Europe and the US be organised?
Krauss: In both technical and organisational terms, the site builds directly on the knowledge of our European powder coatings experts. The machinery and processes come from our specialists in Germany, and the teams work in close collaboration across development, production and quality. Best practices, training programmes and technology platforms are shared across the group.
Will the site focus purely on production, or also grow into a hub for development and application expertise?
Krauss: Yes, that is part of our strategic roadmap. In the short term, the focus is on a successful production start-up and on establishing a stable operational base. In the medium term, however, the site will increasingly grow into a regional centre of competence.
