By S.M. Boothem

Asia Pacific’s leading paint and coating company, Nippon Paint has launched its automotive body and paint repair service brand, Mastercraft. The new facility under Mastercraft offers body and paint work, car decoration services, and ultra-fast velocity repairs, backed by Japanese precision and technology. The first Mastercraft store has been established in Gurugram. Operated by N-Square Automotive Services, it will cater to the car owners of Gurugram, Delhi and NCR. The Gurugram centre will provide innovative, state-of-the-art technology and green solutions, with a capacity to repair around 2,500 cars annually. 

Through its extensive network of partners and franchises, Nippon Paint plans to introduce Mastercraft stores in various parts of the country as well as in overseas markets, expanding its network and services. The company is already talking to clients in Dubai and other potential markets. The company has set a target of R100 crore by 2025 in its Middle East business and is also talking to all OEMs in India.

“The launch of Mastercraft epitomises our commitment to the Indian market to provide efficient and green automotive aftermarket paint solutions. We want to provide innovative and best-in-class services, many of which are not commonly available in India, by leveraging our international experience and technology. By expanding the Mastercraft network, we will work towards ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for our customers,” said Sharad Malhotra, Director and President (Automotive Refinishes), Nippon Paint India.

One-stop destination

From restoring vehicles to their showroom glory to crafting customised solutions, Mastercraft offers a unique range of paint, detailing, and surface care services, making it a one-stop destination for people who care deeply about their cars. With tech-driven solutions, the facility promises to deliver exceptional craftsmanship.

Services offered at Mastercraft include velocity repair for same-day delivery of small repairs, expert bodywork and painting, transformative full body paint including colour enhancement services, advanced paint protection with ceramic and graphene coating, artisanal detailing for both interior and exterior, Paint Protection Film (PPF) installation and anti-rust coating. 

 “Nippon paint is all about expanding possibilities and we are always trying to push the boundaries of colour and finishing. Through Mastercraft, we are trying to take this passion one step further.  Today, the paint quality in India is not bad. We have some excellent paint companies who are providing very good quality paint, including Nippon Paint, but ultimately the job which is getting completed on the car, at times is lacking. So, what we are trying to do here is provide not just the paint, but also apply the paint to customer satisfaction. Mastercraft is our attempt to create a masterful experience for customers,” adds Malhotra.

The company plans to expand the Mastercraft centres across the country and has identified a few places like Noida, Delhi, and some cities in south India. The cost per centre comes to around Rs2 crore. Nippon Paint recently acquired Vibgyor Paints and Chemicals, Pondicherry. Vibgyor is a leading supplier to Indian Railways.  This acquisition may help Nippon further establish as a leading paint brand in India.