Coatings World - Sample Issue

International Coatings Scene
INDIA

Some of the future trends for the small scale sector identified at the ISSPA conference included the development and growth of special coatings as a niche market. For example, it was pointed out that wrinkle finish paints, hammer-tones and flamboyant tones, are areas that the non-organized paint manufacturers are ideally placed to deliver on. With India becoming a global hub for manufacturing, outsourcing is going to increase dramatically so that OEMs can keep their costs low. More specialists will be needed at this grass-roots level to make tailor made versus assembly line paint products.

Words of caution were expressed as well relating to the issue of succession planning by the owners of the various small paint companies. “Only 15% of family-owned businesses survive beyond the third generation,” one speaker noted.

However, with the under 25 age group comprising more than 50% of India’s population, companies represented in ISSPA are well placed to train the next generation of sons, daughters, nephews and nieces to learn the ropes on the job.

While much has changed over the past six years, one aspect that seems to remain unchanged in ISSPA, is the glaring absence of women as managers and partners at the workplace, and thus even at the actual conference. I was reminded of this while trying to convince a member of the hotel staff that although I was a woman, I needed to be at the actual venue and not next to the pool where the ladies were having their separate lunch.

Arranging tours and games while the husbands are busy working may seem quaintly out of touch with the times, but is perhaps representative of patriarchal India, wherein a mere 12% of women work at earning a salary or a livelihood.