KANSAI HELIOS Expands into North America with Acquisition of Advanced Powder Coating Facility in Ohio

KANSAI HELIOS, the international subsidiary of KANSAI PAINT Group, has acquired a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ohio, USA. Spanning 135,000 square feet, this advanced plant is dedicated to the production of innovative powder coatings and will serve as a strategic hub for the company’s automotive and general industrial operations across the North American market.

With an investment of USD 20 million, the acquisition represents a bold step forward in KANSAI HELIOS’s long-term growth strategy and marks the company’s most significant expansion in North America to date. It reinforces its position not only as a global leader in coatings manufacturing but also as a key international employer within the chemical industry.

Located at 231 Commerce Boulevard in Johnstown, Ohio, the facility occupies a 28-acre site equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure. Nestled in a scenic natural environment, the plant features air-conditioned production areas, clean rooms, advanced security systems, and sustainable design elements—creating an ideal setting for modern coatings manufacturing and an attractive workplace within the global group. The Columbus region's robust infrastructure and business-friendly environment provide a strong foundation for long-term success.

“This move is not just an expansion—it is a transformative step for our organization,” said Bastian Krauss, President and Executive Director of KANSAI HELIOS. “The launch of this new production facility will quadruple our manufacturing capacity and serve as the cornerstone of our future operations in North America, enabling us to serve local customers with greater flexibility and efficiency.”

The new Ohio facility reflects KANSAI HELIOS’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technical expertise in industrial coatings—hallmarks of its “Designed for Excellence” philosophy. This strategic acquisition will strengthen the company’s presence in North America, enhance its global network of experts, and accelerate the delivery of high-performance industrial powder coatings to customers across the U.S. Initially, the site will be equipped with advanced production technology sourced from the company’s powder coating experts in Germany, ensuring the highest standards of quality, durability, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility.

“Powder coatings offer superior technical performance along with significant environmental benefits,” Krauss added. “They help our customers meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements while maintaining exceptional product performance.”

The Ohio facility will also integrate KANSAI HELIOS’s expertise as a comprehensive system supplier—offering solutions that include liquid coatings, e-coatings, sealants, and adhesives. This synergy will further support the long-term development of the site as a center of excellence in coatings manufacturing.

KANSAI HELIOS aims to create approximately 50 new jobs in the Columbus area by 2030, spanning technical, production, and administrative roles. The site will share R&D capabilities, technical know-how, and best practices with the company’s global operations, accelerating innovation cycles and enabling rapid response to evolving market demands. U.S. customers will benefit from localized support backed by the technological strength of a global organization—an advantage that distinguishes KANSAI HELIOS in a highly competitive industry.

Local officials have welcomed the investment. Johnstown Mayor Donald Barnard commented: “This expansion brings high-quality employment opportunities to our city and reaffirms Johnstown’s position as a prime location for global manufacturers seeking long-term success. We are proud to welcome KANSAI HELIOS and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our local economy.”

Future employees will have access to a world-class training program developed in collaboration with KANSAI HELIOS’s European production sites in Germany and Austria. This ensures every team member is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a high-performance, safety- and quality-driven environment.

“We are not just launching a production plant—we are building a highly skilled local workforce that embodies the values and excellence of our global organization,” Krauss noted. “This requires committed, forward-thinking individuals, and we are excited to find such talent in the promising Columbus region.”

This acquisition further strengthens the strategic alignment between KANSAI HELIOS and its parent company, KANSAI PAINT. By integrating operations across Asia, Europe, and now a reinforced presence in North America, the Columbus plant becomes part of a truly global ecosystem. Much like its namesake pioneers, this expansion represents a milestone in KANSAI HELIOS’s journey to enter new markets, enhance supply chain resilience, deepen customer relationships, and deliver cutting-edge coatings solutions across the Americas.