Bunchusa Putthapornmongkol, Deputy Managing Director of Goldstar, said: “Our company brings various aluminium products to showcase and sell to architects and general customers.

“Our Panorama series introduces doors and windows that elevate the luxe of every home, by offering panoramic view and scenery around the house through the cutting-edge design and 20mm thin frames,” Bunchusa said.

“The series offers superior safety with tempered vacuum glass that is 32mm thick and up to 6 metres in length. At the Architect Expo 2018, we target Bt10 million in sales and expect more than 1,000 people to visit our booth.

“Our door and window systems also help control the temperature inside any home and building, which in turn saves energy. Today, Goldstar Metal already earns one in five of the market share in the door and window works in residential estates nationwide. Additionally, we also export customised aluminium bars to DIY stores in Australia and aluminium bars for windows and doors to CLMV [Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam],” Bunchusa added.

Focusing on connectivity, Huawei and industry partners say they are showcasing products and solutions such as the internet of things, cloud computing and 5G mobile internet.

Huawei said it was demonstrating how tech can be applied in a wide range of digital industrial scenarios such as the internet of vehicles, lifts and escalators, factories, smart logistics and predictive maintenance.

Huawei said it was also announcing new collaborations with leading industry partners, including Groupe, Telefónica, Munich Airport, Alliance of Industrial Internet, Avnu Alliance and Schneider Electric.

The theme of Hannover 2018 is Integrated Industry – Connect and Collaborate.

The convergence of tech and manufacturing systems has led to a sweeping industrial revolution in the global manufacturing industry. Large-scale customisation, global collaborative design, smart factories, predictive maintenance and connected cars are redefining the whole value chain and fuelling new production methods, industry structures, business models and economic growth, Huawei said.

To invite customers to discover fruit at affordable prices, the retailer is hosting a durian and seasonal fruits buffet at its Rama 4 store, from April 26-29.

For Bt399, customers can enjoy an unlimited amount of durian and more than 10 other tropical fruits.

Salinla Seehaphan, corporate affairs director, said: “Through our direct sourcing programme in which we purchase produce directly from farmers and agricultural co-operatives, we are able to ensure high-quality products and affordable prices in 80 hypermarkets nationwide.

“Our direct sourcing programme continues to grow, with the total purchase volume of more than 200,000 tonnes of produce in 2017, generating a significant amount of income for farmers.”

The retailer has prepared 10,000kg of durian for the four-day event. In addition to the buffet, the event features a farmers’ market, with farmers selling a variety of fruit, vegetables and snacks.

The buffet is available five rounds per day, at one hour per round, starting from noon through to 8pm.

Borrowers are allowed to prepay with interest costs reduced after each principal repayment.

“The bank is well aware of the needs of a specific group of customers, which are different from those of customers who make use of the Bank’s Cash Your Car,” said Tirachart Chiracharasporn, executive vice president of auto hire purchase.

“Cash Your Book serves as an alternative for this group, who have cars but need quick cash to improve their short-term liquidity while avoiding high interest charges and long-term obligations. Borrowers are allowed to prepay part or the entire amount of the outstanding principal balance without prepayment penalty or accrued interest.”

Cash Your Book is different from hire-purchase loans in that borrowers are required only to use their car registration book as collateral, but do not have to transfer the book.

As a result, they can still use their car and keep the ownership with the repayment term of up to 60 months.

Since this is a consumer loan and not a hire purchase, no value-added tax will be imposed on instalment payments. The repayment burden is thus alleviated.

The interest rate starts at 12 per cent per annum, with interest costs reduced after each principal repayment. This is lower than the rates charged on general consumer loans.

The bank imposes neither fee on the available credit line nor prepayment penalty.

The target group includes existing customers of Thanachart Bank’s hire-purchase loans and first-car buyers who have fully repaid their loans. The latter group accounts for 30-40 per cent of all first-car buyers.

Net profit for the January to March period hit 11.69 trillion won ($10.8 billion), up from 7.68 trillion won a year earlier, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Operating profit was a record 15.64 trillion won, in line with the estimate of 15.6 trillion won suggested in a preliminary guidance report released earlier this month.

“The semiconductor business posted solid earnings — 11.55 trillion won in operating profit on a 20.78 trillion won revenue — on strong demand for memory chips,” the company said in a statement.

Total sales grew 19.8 percent to 60.56 trillion won and Samsung expects the memory business to maintain its strong performance in the second quarter.

But generating overall earnings growth across the company will be a challenge due to weakness in the display panel segment and a decline in profitability in the mobile business in the face of rising competition, it said.

Allianz Ayudhya has announced three winning teams from its inaugural Activator initiative, Thailand’s first InsurTech incubation programme and the first for Allianz in Asia Pacific.

Doctor A to Z, Sharmble and Vitaboost Wellness were successful from a shortlist of 14 teams for their innovative approach to delivering insurance service solutions to customers, ranging from Surgical Treatment Matching Network to the Remote Care Service and the Customized Wellness Program.

The award-winning start-ups receive seeding investment of up to two million Thai Baht with sandbox facility and an opportunity to scale their business through Allianz’s global network across more than 70 markets.

By working side by side with Allianz Ayudhya, they will also gain unique access to industry insights, have their ideas incorporated into the Allianz business and have the opportunity to deliver solutions that satisfy customer needs in the real market place.

In addition, the three start-ups will gain exposure with senior management at Allianz Asia Pacific in Singapore and will be hosted in Munich, Germany at Allianz X – Allianz Group’s digital investment unit. In Munich, the teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions to Allianz executives representing over 70 different countries in Allianz’s global network.

WORLD’S BEST-SELLING SPORTS COUPE FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR

Global demand for the new 2018 Ford Mustang has driven Mustang to its third straight year as the best-selling sports coupe in the world.

Global Mustang registrations in 2017 totaled 125,809 cars, according to Ford analysis of the most recent new light vehicle registration data from IHS Markit. This data – compiled from government and other sources and capturing 95 percent of global new vehicle volumes in more than 80 countries – puts Mustang ahead of all other sports coupe competitors worldwide.

“The world is falling in love with Mustang,” says Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst. “Mustang represents the best of American design, performance and freedom, with an unmistakable personality that’s appeals – regardless of your post code.”

Of the nearly 126,000 vehicles registered worldwide, Ford reported 81,866 of those were registered in the United States, meaning just over one-third of all Mustang registrations are occurring in export markets. Demand remains particularly strong in China, where Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe last year based on 7,125 registrations.

The most popular configuration worldwide is the Mustang GT with the 5.0-liter V8.

While sports cars have traditionally skewed toward male buyers in the United States, Mustang is increasingly finding favor with women. In an environment of relatively flat sports car sales to women, Ford research shows a 10 per cent gain in women buying Mustang in the last five years. Since global exports began in 2015, through December 2017, Ford has sold 418,000 Mustangs around the world.

Sports coupes, as defined by IHS Markit, include two-door and convertible models.

SPECTRUM AUCTION ‘OUT OF STEP WITH INDUSTRY’

Dtac has indicated that the unintended consequences of the auctions rules for the upcoming 1800 MHz spectrum auction will lower auction revenue, result in unsold spectrum and produce an inefficient market outcome. The NBTC board’s agreement to organize the auction in August 2018 follows the original auction rules of 15MHz block size and the N-1 rule, both of which are misaligned with the needs of the telco industry and Thailand’s increasingly digital consumers.

Lars Norling, chief executive officer, Total Access Communication Plc or dtac said, “Thailand is currently facing spectrum scarcity to serve the rapid growth of data consumption as well as the digital disruption being experienced. In order to realize Thailand 4.0, the government should prioritize the effectiveness of spectrum management as one of the top national agenda.”

“Dtac would like to raise our concerns about the NBTC board agreement to return to the original auction rules of 1800MHz spectrum that will undoubtedly put at risk the telecom industry, consumers’ benefits, and the government’s vision for Thailand 4.0. However, for the coming 1800MHz spectrum auction, dtac will await the formal Information Memorandum and auction details,” said Norling.

In this regard, dtac has over the last years maintained that the reserve prices should be rationalized by re-setting them to the level of the reserve prices set upon re-auction of AIS and True’s concession spectrum in 2015, which is more appropriate for Thai consumers. (ii) the spectrum blocks should be 2×5 MHz (instead of 2×15 MHz), in line with international best practices (iii) the N-1 rule for the 1800MHz auction (by which the regulator would withhold spectrum and sell fewer spectrum licenses than the number of bidders) shall be removed to not create artificial spectrum scarcity.

“In June, dtac will submit a readiness and consumer protection plan in compliance with the NBTC notification to continue providing best network services for customers until new license holders are announced. This is the same process as with the end of concession and the delayed auction of the other two operators in the past,” said Norling.

CPF TEAMS UP WITH SYNPHAET

Food service in hospital often give unpleasant experiences to most of the patients. However, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) and Synphaet hospital is trying to challenge this stereotype and turn tasteless hospital meals into healthy and good taste dishes.

Amorn Umpairungruang, vice president of CPF, said patient food service is part of the company’s ambition as a full food service provider that offer safe and quality foods to all groups of consumer.

“The quality of our foods is on par with the dishes made by a 5 stars hotel’s chef. We offer a full service under an advice of the experts at the hospital.” He added.

CPF has been working closely with the doctors and nutritionist at Synphaet hospital to develop patients’ foods that offer both nutritional values and great taste. Beside patients’ foods, it also provides a food service for staffs and visitors of the hospital.

The service are reviewed by Quality Audit of CPF to ensure of the best taste, food safety and quality of service for everyone at the hospital.

The company has been serving a wide range of foods from medical to western dishes at hospital since early 2018. It has resulted in positive feedback among the medical staffs and their guests.

Dr Chalermpol Nukulkit, Management member at Synphaet Hospital, noted that CPF’s will provide special made meal for each patients based on their illness in accordance to the medical specialist’s suggestion.

He pointed that nutritional diet is vital part for patients’ recovery as well as the efficiency of medical treatment. This partnership will boost confidence in food quality and service at the hospital.

The food conglomerate also started canteen services at the hospital, offering hospital visitors a wide range of foods including traditional Thai foods, halal foods and coffee shop.

“I am confident that our staffs and guests will enjoy the experience from our news food service, especially the patients who required specific diet.” Dr Chalermpol said.

CPF’s hospital food service is currently available at Rama 9 hospital, BNH Hospital and Synphaet Hospital in Bangkok.

The new Onitsuka Tiger store will initiate a gratifying shopping experience for loyal fans as well as the fashion conscious, the sports enthusiast, the sneaker collector or casual shopper, families and tourists. The store stocks the brand’s latest releases at prices consistent with its other stores, ensuring it will be a regional favorite for sneaker lovers.

The opening of this new store aligns with the Onitsuka Tiger story, created in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka who started the brand with a humble idea that sport had the power to transform lives.

Till today, the rich heritage and Japanese craftsmanship of the brand, combined with a timeless aesthetic that was discovered on the track, is now worn and seen on streets around the world. Constantly branching out and collaborating with a variety of creative souls from visual artists to fashion designers, from art collectives to sneakers, the spirit of Onitsuka Tiger has uplifted its sporting brand into the fashion and lifestyle scene.

The Onitsuka Tiger mono-brand store is conveniently situated at the elegant and sophisticated Siam Center, one of the most established shopping malls in Bangkok today. A shopper’s dream paradise, the high-end mall offers an extensive mix of well-known and international fashion, lifestyle and F&B brands and is a trendy and popular meeting place.

With a retail space of 237 square meters, the store will stock the brand’s signature collections as well as the perennial and popular footwear, accessories, apparel for Men, Women and Kids. Shoppers, fans and collectors will also be thrilled to find the quintessential and exclusive Nippon-made collection.

Onitsuka Tiger’s 2018 collection global campaign kicked off with the debut of Mexico 66 SD. A reflection of the brand philosophy, this new model will impress wearers with an improved performance and utility based on technology. While it retains some of the elements of the classic Mexico 66 SD, like the thin sole, the Onitsuka Tiger stripes, and iconic heel flap, the Mexico 66 SD model uses a new last for a slimmer, more modern silhouette. The sole in particular has been improved for better performance by combining multiple materials. The toe and heel portions are made of cushioning material fuzeGEL, developed by the ASICS Institute of Sport Science, with a precise placement of the gel along the midsole improves cushioning and resilience. Cushioning and fit are also better, with the addition of OrthoLite that offers excellent resilience in the insole.

The center pride of place at Onitsuka Tiger Siam Center is the Nippon-made series, the epitome of Japanese craftsmanship. The basic components of the shoes are first assembled, after which the leather making up the upper is washed and processed in hot water. The footwear is then carefully squeezed and dried, leaving the shoes with a wrinkly, vintage look when dry. Every step is skillfully executed by hand and no two pairs of shoes are alike.

The artisanship of the Japanese brand extends to the store interior that is accented by Sumi mortar, a distinctly unique material that has the texture of wood, amplifying the store’s intricate yet edgy look. A complex eight-step process goes into the formulation, which uses ingredients such as Asagi Tsuchi, a special type of Japanese soil used to prevent cracking, and Sumi paint (water, Sumi ink and acrylic emulsion). The new store’s grand opening will be hosted by ASICS Thailand.

“Our total revenue in the first quarter of this year grew at a slower pace than our estimate, due to the baht strengthening from an average of 35 to the US dollar last year to 31.6 in the first quarter of this year. This impacted both our sales and net profit by about 10 per cent,” Roongrote said at a press conference.

In the first quarter of this year, the company reported total revenue of Bt118.25 billion, for the 2 per cent rise from the same period of last year. Up to 40 per cent of the total revenue came from exports, with the rest from the domestic market. Net profit of Bt12.4 billion marked a drop of 29 per cent from the same quarter of last year.

With the stronger baht, Roongrote said that the group has had to revise its business strategy, including more reliance on innovation to improve its products and the greater use of digital technology to spur innovation and integrate its businesses for the benefit of its customers in both the domestic and overseas markets. To this end, the group is spending an investment budget about 1 per cent of its total revenue – or about Bt4 billion – for research and development with the aim of offering more innovative products and services.

The company also has tried to reduce costs in management and raw materials to boost net profit for the rest of this year, Roongrote said.

“This will help the group to increase our prices for products and services. As a result, we have continued to maintain our target growth at up to 6 per cent for this year compared with last year,” he said.

On the expenditure front, the group is maintaining its investment budget for this year at Bt60 billion, of which Bt20 billion will be put into its petroleum complex in Vietnam. Construction is scheduled to start in the second half of this year. The project has a total investment budget of Bt180 billion.

The remaining Bt40 billion will be invested in the domestic market and in Asean countries – such as Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos – with a focus on direct investment by the company or via merger and acquisition opportunities in construction raw materials and in packaging, said the group’s vice president-finance and investment and chief finance officer, Chaovalit Ekabut.

In the year’s first quarter, the company spent Bt9 billion of a total investment budget of Bt60 billion in its construction raw materials and packaging businesses, Chaovalit said.

Up to 39 per cent of its total revenue in the quarter – or Bt45.84 billion – came from high-value-added products and services. The company expects this proportion will reach 50 per cent this year, Chaovalit said.

Roongrote said he was encouraged by the signs of a recovery in the construction raw materials sector, especially for cement, as the government gears up to starts to its planned investments to develop the country’s infrastructure. This spending will drive demand for cement. When the government’s investment in these infrastructure projects kicks off, he said, this would boost demand from the private sector to develop residential projects and this effect would become more evident in the next six to seven months.

Meanwhile, the outlook for packaging was improving with more demand for consumer products in both the domestic market and in border trade.

This increased demand saw the construction raw materials and packaging businesses grow 4 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, in the first quarter.

The company’s petrochemical business, burdened by the high cost of raw materials and the strong baht, suffered a drop of 3 per cent for sales in the opening quarter from the same period last year, Roongrote said.