Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN2685
2004-12-14 06:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
(IMI) ARMENIA: THE IMPORTED BUILDING
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 YEREVAN 002685
SIPDIS
COMMERCE FOR 3150/PBRADLEY/BSMITH
COMMERCE FOR 4201/ITA/IEP/OEERIS/BISNIS/EHOUSE
EMBASSIES - PLEASE PASS FCS
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EB/CBA
ANKARA ALSO FOR CFC/ SNYDER/BALLINGER
PASS TDA-STEIN, OPIC, EXIM-TUMMINIA/PANARO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTDB BBSR BEXP BTIO AM
SUBJECT: (IMI) ARMENIA: THE IMPORTED BUILDING
MATERIALS MARKET
-------
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 YEREVAN 002685
SIPDIS
COMMERCE FOR 3150/PBRADLEY/BSMITH
COMMERCE FOR 4201/ITA/IEP/OEERIS/BISNIS/EHOUSE
EMBASSIES - PLEASE PASS FCS
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EB/CBA
ANKARA ALSO FOR CFC/ SNYDER/BALLINGER
PASS TDA-STEIN, OPIC, EXIM-TUMMINIA/PANARO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTDB BBSR BEXP BTIO AM
SUBJECT: (IMI) ARMENIA: THE IMPORTED BUILDING
MATERIALS MARKET
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. This cable reviews the market for imported
building materials in Armenia as of December 2004.
The report describes the market size and U.S. market
share in Armenia, and lists major market suppliers
and best sales prospects for U.S. companies. It
also includes a list of major importers and key
contacts in the building products sector. End
Summary.
--------------
MARKET SIZE AND U.S. MARKET SHARE
--------------
2. The Armenian market for building materials has
developed significantly since 2000, driven by
consistent expansion of the construction sector.
The construction sector grew by some 50 percent in
2003, in part supported by humanitarian financing of
USD 115 million in improvements by the Diaspora U.S.-
based Lincy Foundation. According to the National
Statistical Service of Armenia in January - October
2004 the volume of construction in Armenia totaled
approximately USD 363 million, which shows a growth
of roughly 14 percent compared to the same period in
2003 which included the Lincy Foundation's
contributions.
-------------- --
STATISTICAL INFORMATION: VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION
-------------- --
YEAR USD (MILLION)
2000 187
2001 198
2002 286
2003 412
2004 (Jan-Oct) 363
Source: National Statistical Service of Armenia
3. Strong demand for new and modern refurbished
apartments in Yerevan has caused a localized
expansion in the housing and construction market.
The city center is undergoing overall renovation and
reconstruction. The ambitious Northern Avenue
project provides for a string of new residential and
commercial buildings on a street through downtown
Yerevan. Two new indoor markets were constructed
recently in Yerevan. The Russian-Armenian company,
International Business Center, is implementing a
major renovation of Armenia's state-owned buildings,
including the Yerevan Mayor's office, now one of the
largest Government buildings.
4. Although no published statistics are available
on the market size for imported building materials,
the country's largest importers estimate that the
size of the domestic market is more than USD 120
million annually. According to their assessments,
imported finishing materials (i.e., paints, filling,
varnishes, fixtures, etc.) account for half of the
market. Basic materials such as wood, glass, and
metals account for the other half and come mostly
from Russia and Ukraine.
5. According to the industry leaders, the market
for building materials is dominated by medium-price,
medium-quality products imported from Turkey, Iran,
and the United Arab Emirates. The mid-range goods
are used primarily in government buildings,
hospitals, and low-to-medium end commercial shopping
centers.
6. The demand for higher quality German, Italian,
Spanish and other European products is driven by new
construction and renovation of private hotels,
restaurants, banks, offices of large companies,
embassies and other foreign representations, local
private households as well as newly constructed
elite residential buildings.
7. The share of American products in the market is
small. It includes the following brands: Duron,
Pro, Zar (paints),Laticrete (insulation materials,
including construction glue). Despite high
transport costs (U.S. to Armenia costs USD 4,500 -
5,000 per 40 ft container) and a long shipping
duration (45-50 days) American products have a small
but steady position in the market for higher quality
finishing products. Local interest in purchasing
American construction materials is likely to grow as
the recent depreciation of the U.S. dollar against
the Euro and the Armenian Dram have made American
products more competitive.
--------------
MAJOR MARKET SUPPLIERS
--------------
8. Armenia has 5-7 large building materials
importers that make up the majority of domestic
wholesale suppliers. According to major importers
and wholesalers, the country's distribution network
consists of 20-30 large stores and warehouses, 60-70
medium-sized retail stores, and approximately 200-
300 small-sized retail stores.
9. Imex Group (Keramika brand),with annual sales
of about USD 20 million, is one of Armenia's largest
importers of ceramic fixtures. Its products include
bathroom fixtures, sinks, water heaters,
accessories, and wall decoration. Imex Group has
distributorship agreements with a number of leading
European companies, including Ideal Standard
(European version of American Standard),Villeroy
and Boch, Jacuzzi, Duravit, Grohe, Inda, and others.
In 2004 Imex Group opened a new chain of stores in
Yerevan under the name of "Ideal."
10. R and V Comfort is one of Armenia's largest
wholesalers of building and finishing materials.
The company specializes in inexpensive imported
ceramic products and other building and finishing
materials from Turkey, Iran, and the United Arab
Emirates. The company also sells high quality
ceramic tiles and sanitary fixtures from Italy and
Spain as well as metals from Ukraine. R and V is an
official distributor of the American company
Laticrete, a maker of high quality insulation
materials and construction glue. The company
operates 6 stores and a large warehouse in Yerevan.
The company's annual sales in 2003 were USD 12
million.
11. Yerevan-based Metex LLC owns and operates a
large wholesale trade center. It specializes in the
import and distribution of construction metals in
Armenia. The company has dealership agreements with
several major Ukrainian steel manufacturers. The
company's annual sales in 2003 were USD 10 million.
12. EGA LLC and Berger LLC specialize in the import
and distribution of paints from Turkey and UAE.
Several other local importers represent the
following brands: Tikkurilla (Finland),Sadolin
(Sweden),Berger, National, and Marshall (UAE),Dufa
(Germany),Leyland, and Ronsel (UK).
13. Yerevan-based Yerang imports American paint and
building fixtures directly from the United States.
--------------
BEST PROSPECTS
--------------
14. According to the importers themselves, the best
prospects for export to the above distributors are
for insulated windows, doors, false ceilings,
flooring (parquet, linoleum, and flooring ceramics),
wallpaper, ceramic wall tiles, and other interior-
decorating materials, paint, heating and insulation
systems, bathroom fixtures, roofing materials,
landscape accessories and lighting systems.
--------------
CONTACT INFORMATION
--------------
15. MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS/RESELLERS:
Imex Group (Keramika)
Mr. Norair Khachatryan, President
4 Avan 19
Yerevan - 375063
Tel: (374-1) 616-300
Fax: (374-1) 626-537
E-mail: imex@arminco.com
R and V Comfort
Mr. Ruben Shahmuradyan, President
65 Orbely St.
Yerevan - 375028
Tel: (374-1) 226-498
Fax: (374-1) 274-862
E-mail: areg@arminco.com
Yerang LLC
Mr. Levon Kocharyan, President
31-114 Moskovyan St.
Yerevan - 375002
Tel: (374-1) 534-052
Fax: (374-1) 535-691
E-mail: octa@arminco.com
Metex CJSC
Mr. Amatuni Tonoyan, General Director
42 Arshakunyats St.
Yerevan - 375026
Tel: (374-1) 440-772
Fax: (374-1) 448-910
E-mail: metex@arminco.com
Gapex LLC (glass importer)
Mr. Robert Gabriyelyan, General Manager
40 Pushkin St.
Yerevan-375010
Tel: (374-1) 533-163
Fax: (374-1) 537-891
E-mail: gapex@cornet.am
www.gapex.am
Ideal
4 Kasyan St.
Yerevan 375033
Tel: (374-1) 271-914
Ojakh
201 Movses Khorenatsu St.
Yerevan 375008
Tel: (374-1) 574-233
16. OTHER KEY CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEB RESOURCES
Ministry of Urban Development of Armenia
Mr. Aram Harutyunyan, Minister
3rd Government building, Republic Square
Yerevan 375010
Tel: (374-1) 589-080
www.gov.am
National Statistical Service
www.armstat.am
American Embassy, Yerevan
Pol/Econ Section
18 Baghramian Ave.
Yerevan-375019
Tel: (374-1) 524-840
Fax: (374-1) 520-800
E-mail: isayangx@state.gov
www.bisnis.doc.gov
Contact: George Isayan, BISNIS Representative in
Armenia
EVANS
SIPDIS
COMMERCE FOR 3150/PBRADLEY/BSMITH
COMMERCE FOR 4201/ITA/IEP/OEERIS/BISNIS/EHOUSE
EMBASSIES - PLEASE PASS FCS
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EB/CBA
ANKARA ALSO FOR CFC/ SNYDER/BALLINGER
PASS TDA-STEIN, OPIC, EXIM-TUMMINIA/PANARO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTDB BBSR BEXP BTIO AM
SUBJECT: (IMI) ARMENIA: THE IMPORTED BUILDING
MATERIALS MARKET
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. This cable reviews the market for imported
building materials in Armenia as of December 2004.
The report describes the market size and U.S. market
share in Armenia, and lists major market suppliers
and best sales prospects for U.S. companies. It
also includes a list of major importers and key
contacts in the building products sector. End
Summary.
--------------
MARKET SIZE AND U.S. MARKET SHARE
--------------
2. The Armenian market for building materials has
developed significantly since 2000, driven by
consistent expansion of the construction sector.
The construction sector grew by some 50 percent in
2003, in part supported by humanitarian financing of
USD 115 million in improvements by the Diaspora U.S.-
based Lincy Foundation. According to the National
Statistical Service of Armenia in January - October
2004 the volume of construction in Armenia totaled
approximately USD 363 million, which shows a growth
of roughly 14 percent compared to the same period in
2003 which included the Lincy Foundation's
contributions.
-------------- --
STATISTICAL INFORMATION: VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION
-------------- --
YEAR USD (MILLION)
2000 187
2001 198
2002 286
2003 412
2004 (Jan-Oct) 363
Source: National Statistical Service of Armenia
3. Strong demand for new and modern refurbished
apartments in Yerevan has caused a localized
expansion in the housing and construction market.
The city center is undergoing overall renovation and
reconstruction. The ambitious Northern Avenue
project provides for a string of new residential and
commercial buildings on a street through downtown
Yerevan. Two new indoor markets were constructed
recently in Yerevan. The Russian-Armenian company,
International Business Center, is implementing a
major renovation of Armenia's state-owned buildings,
including the Yerevan Mayor's office, now one of the
largest Government buildings.
4. Although no published statistics are available
on the market size for imported building materials,
the country's largest importers estimate that the
size of the domestic market is more than USD 120
million annually. According to their assessments,
imported finishing materials (i.e., paints, filling,
varnishes, fixtures, etc.) account for half of the
market. Basic materials such as wood, glass, and
metals account for the other half and come mostly
from Russia and Ukraine.
5. According to the industry leaders, the market
for building materials is dominated by medium-price,
medium-quality products imported from Turkey, Iran,
and the United Arab Emirates. The mid-range goods
are used primarily in government buildings,
hospitals, and low-to-medium end commercial shopping
centers.
6. The demand for higher quality German, Italian,
Spanish and other European products is driven by new
construction and renovation of private hotels,
restaurants, banks, offices of large companies,
embassies and other foreign representations, local
private households as well as newly constructed
elite residential buildings.
7. The share of American products in the market is
small. It includes the following brands: Duron,
Pro, Zar (paints),Laticrete (insulation materials,
including construction glue). Despite high
transport costs (U.S. to Armenia costs USD 4,500 -
5,000 per 40 ft container) and a long shipping
duration (45-50 days) American products have a small
but steady position in the market for higher quality
finishing products. Local interest in purchasing
American construction materials is likely to grow as
the recent depreciation of the U.S. dollar against
the Euro and the Armenian Dram have made American
products more competitive.
--------------
MAJOR MARKET SUPPLIERS
--------------
8. Armenia has 5-7 large building materials
importers that make up the majority of domestic
wholesale suppliers. According to major importers
and wholesalers, the country's distribution network
consists of 20-30 large stores and warehouses, 60-70
medium-sized retail stores, and approximately 200-
300 small-sized retail stores.
9. Imex Group (Keramika brand),with annual sales
of about USD 20 million, is one of Armenia's largest
importers of ceramic fixtures. Its products include
bathroom fixtures, sinks, water heaters,
accessories, and wall decoration. Imex Group has
distributorship agreements with a number of leading
European companies, including Ideal Standard
(European version of American Standard),Villeroy
and Boch, Jacuzzi, Duravit, Grohe, Inda, and others.
In 2004 Imex Group opened a new chain of stores in
Yerevan under the name of "Ideal."
10. R and V Comfort is one of Armenia's largest
wholesalers of building and finishing materials.
The company specializes in inexpensive imported
ceramic products and other building and finishing
materials from Turkey, Iran, and the United Arab
Emirates. The company also sells high quality
ceramic tiles and sanitary fixtures from Italy and
Spain as well as metals from Ukraine. R and V is an
official distributor of the American company
Laticrete, a maker of high quality insulation
materials and construction glue. The company
operates 6 stores and a large warehouse in Yerevan.
The company's annual sales in 2003 were USD 12
million.
11. Yerevan-based Metex LLC owns and operates a
large wholesale trade center. It specializes in the
import and distribution of construction metals in
Armenia. The company has dealership agreements with
several major Ukrainian steel manufacturers. The
company's annual sales in 2003 were USD 10 million.
12. EGA LLC and Berger LLC specialize in the import
and distribution of paints from Turkey and UAE.
Several other local importers represent the
following brands: Tikkurilla (Finland),Sadolin
(Sweden),Berger, National, and Marshall (UAE),Dufa
(Germany),Leyland, and Ronsel (UK).
13. Yerevan-based Yerang imports American paint and
building fixtures directly from the United States.
--------------
BEST PROSPECTS
--------------
14. According to the importers themselves, the best
prospects for export to the above distributors are
for insulated windows, doors, false ceilings,
flooring (parquet, linoleum, and flooring ceramics),
wallpaper, ceramic wall tiles, and other interior-
decorating materials, paint, heating and insulation
systems, bathroom fixtures, roofing materials,
landscape accessories and lighting systems.
--------------
CONTACT INFORMATION
--------------
15. MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS/RESELLERS:
Imex Group (Keramika)
Mr. Norair Khachatryan, President
4 Avan 19
Yerevan - 375063
Tel: (374-1) 616-300
Fax: (374-1) 626-537
E-mail: imex@arminco.com
R and V Comfort
Mr. Ruben Shahmuradyan, President
65 Orbely St.
Yerevan - 375028
Tel: (374-1) 226-498
Fax: (374-1) 274-862
E-mail: areg@arminco.com
Yerang LLC
Mr. Levon Kocharyan, President
31-114 Moskovyan St.
Yerevan - 375002
Tel: (374-1) 534-052
Fax: (374-1) 535-691
E-mail: octa@arminco.com
Metex CJSC
Mr. Amatuni Tonoyan, General Director
42 Arshakunyats St.
Yerevan - 375026
Tel: (374-1) 440-772
Fax: (374-1) 448-910
E-mail: metex@arminco.com
Gapex LLC (glass importer)
Mr. Robert Gabriyelyan, General Manager
40 Pushkin St.
Yerevan-375010
Tel: (374-1) 533-163
Fax: (374-1) 537-891
E-mail: gapex@cornet.am
www.gapex.am
Ideal
4 Kasyan St.
Yerevan 375033
Tel: (374-1) 271-914
Ojakh
201 Movses Khorenatsu St.
Yerevan 375008
Tel: (374-1) 574-233
16. OTHER KEY CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEB RESOURCES
Ministry of Urban Development of Armenia
Mr. Aram Harutyunyan, Minister
3rd Government building, Republic Square
Yerevan 375010
Tel: (374-1) 589-080
www.gov.am
National Statistical Service
www.armstat.am
American Embassy, Yerevan
Pol/Econ Section
18 Baghramian Ave.
Yerevan-375019
Tel: (374-1) 524-840
Fax: (374-1) 520-800
E-mail: isayangx@state.gov
www.bisnis.doc.gov
Contact: George Isayan, BISNIS Representative in
Armenia
EVANS