Charoen Pokphand Plc (CPF), an agri-industrial conglomerate, has committed to a CPF Safety Health Environment and Energy Standard.

All CPF’s domestic businesses set to be certified by third and second parties within 2018. This is to ensure a solid performance in the area of sustainability throughout the organisation, the company said.

Virachai Ratanabanchuen, chief operating officer at CPF, said the standard has been drafted specifically for the company’s business to mitigate impact on the environment and communities, using international principles as a guideline.

“It aims to reduce risks to the health and safety of those who work with the company and, consequently, decrease operating costs, helping the company to achieve sustainable goals,” Virachai said.

“The company also plan to extend the certification process to overseas operations. The employees from all 16 countries where the company is operated will be trained to make sure that the operation will run smoothly, consistently and with the highest effectiveness across the world.”

BIG Camera links up with manufacturers

BIG Camera, a digital camera dealer in Thailand and Southeast Asian, has announced an exclusivity marketing plan as a strategy “to stay ahead of the competitors and to differentiate us by joining forces with major camera makers which produce limited digital camera models in special colours”.

In addition to offering premium after-sales services, BIG Camera said it expanding its customer base to younger customers “who prefer unique styles and differences”.

To drive the retail market, the BIG Camera Festival 2018 will be held to sell camera models being introduced this year from every brand, kicking off the official sales season of the year for the digital camera products. The event is from April 4-11 at Central Plaza Ladprao.

Tanasit Thienkanjanawong, business development director of BIG Camera Corporation PLC, said that Thailand saw 310,000 digital camera units sold in 2017 at a value of Bt8.6 billion.

“The mirrorless digital camera segment still commanded a much higher market share than DSLR and Compact cameras. As digital camera brands focus on the mirrorless cameras, the competition is getting more intensified as a result,” Tanasit said.

“Based on our distribution data to our 230 branches throughout Thailand, it’s found that the consumer behaviour has been changing in the past two years, given that digital camera users are those in younger ages; they tend to follow closely trends in the market; they prefer limited edition products with unique styles and colours.

“In case that the models they look for are not available in Thailand, they will make an online purchase or a pre-order, under which they apparently encounter a number of limitations concerning quality check-ups, import duties, and warranty.”

VRH aims for high end with bathroom fittings

VRH, a Thai manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel taps and bathroom fittings, has launched the VRH Modern Life range of products, expanding the company’s business as an exclusive dealer of imported sanitary wares and taps from leading brands.

Featuring functionality and modern technology, VRH highlights Europea’s top brands such as Conti and Axent to attract high-end consumers.

Pisanu Hathaipantalux, director of VRH Modern Life, VR Union Co Ltd, said that, as Thailand’s leading manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel taps, bathroom fittings and kitchen accessories, VRH will launch a new business operation using the VRH Modern Life brand.

“The new segment will tap into the futuristic sanitary technology market to enhance efficiency and convenience that respond to the needs for functionality of consumers who favour high-end technology,” Pisanu said.

“These consumers have a tendency to grow in relation to the real estate and construction industry, which is expanding to correspond to the government’s infrastructure network development project and private investment in the Industry 4.0 era.

“Set to operate as an exclusive dealer, VRH Modern Life will select products from bathroom and kitchen segments, which feature leading-edge technology produced by the world’s top manufacturers and brands that are globally recognised for design and functional innovation. These products will be distributed in Thailand by VRH Modern Life for VR Union Co Ltd.

UPS boosts revenue by 11% for quarter

Global logistics operator UPS, which operates package and container transporting for domestic and international trades in more than 220 countries, yesterday released its results for the fourth quarter of 2017.

Revenue was US$18.8 billion, which represents a rise of 11 per cent from $16.9 billion in the previous quarter. The company announced earnings per share of $1.27.

David Abney, UPS chairman and CEO, said: “We achieved our 2017 adjusted earnings-per-share target through exceptionally strong revenue and yield growth, coupled with benefits from our network investments and portfolio initiatives. We made significant progress on key capacity investments in 2017.

“Our momentum, transformative actions and the economic catalyst from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), position UPS for growth in 2018 and beyond. We expect to unlock significant resources, which will be available for accelerated investments in our network and create additional opportunities for our people.

“GAAP results for the quarter include a benefit of $0.30 per share attributable to the TCJA. In addition, results include a mark-to-market (MTM) non-cash, pre-tax pension charge of $800 million which represents an after-tax charge of $0.70 per diluted share.

In the prior-year period, the company reported non-cash, after-tax charges of $1.90 per diluted share related to mark-to-market pension charges.”

Nathalie Gerschtein Keraudy, managing director of L’Oreal (Thailand) Ltd, said the company’s mission is to drive “Beauty For All”, making beauty universal by offering all men and women our unique portfolio of iconic cosmetics products of utmost quality, efficacy, and safety.

More than ever before, L’Oreal has the best advantages in terms of innovation, quality standards and digital prowess to build long-lasting and meaningful bonds with our consumers. 2017 was especially notable for the accentuation of our digital edge, as digital channels became omnipresent for providing impeccable customer service. L’Oreal’s success is defined by our unique approach to the bright new world of beauty based on the following factors: clearly defined mission and strategy, highest prioritisation of product safety with long-haul investment in research and innovation, caring for the communities we operate in, and having strong and motivated team – all backed up by strong entrepreneurial culture.”

Thailand’s beauty market is one of the largest in Asean. Compared to 2016, The Thai market market grew 7.8 per cent in 2017. Skincare remained the biggest beauty category whilst make-up was a growth contributor to the industry.

L’Oreal Thailand is the largest L’Oreal subsidiary in Asean. In 2018, L’Oreal Thailand will focus on the four key priorities of development: consumer centricity, digital acceleration, great employer and great citizen.

With consumer centricity maintaining its vital role in the company’s strategy, product innovation will remain at the core of brand experience. It will be further enhanced through various initiatives such as one of our 2017 hero products ‘Vichy – Mineral 89’ the hydrating booster innovation and the newest trend to break the rule of existing hair colours with L’Oreal Paris Cololorista , a revolution of new hair colour in form of semi-permanent hair colour. 2017 also saw L’Oreal products dominate the market in several other categories including L’Oreal Paris Elseve, in leave on hair treatment, Garnier Micellar Water in cleansing, Shu Uemura in luxury cleansing oil, Lancome in luxury cushion foundations, and Biotherm Homme in luxury men skincare.

Apart from innovation, understanding and swiftly responding to changing consumer needs with unique beauty experiences, played an integral part in the company’s success. NYX Professional Makeup has recently opened Asia’s First NYX Professional Makeup flagship store at Siam Square One in Bangkok which is also the digitalised destination for of all Thai beauty junkies. Kiehl’s has launched the powerful skincare ‘Apothecary Preparations’, a new level of personalised facial skincare serum, and a service that tailors facial concentrates to address consumers’ unique skin concerns.

Furthermore, in 2018, L’Oreal Thailand is welcoming two newest additions to its brand portfolio, with the first being Giorgio Armani Beauty, the luxurious innovative cosmetic, tailored to meet the needs of all people’s skin perfection through unique makeup products born backstage and the premium skincare. The second addition, developed by expert dermatologists, CeraVe, is an affordable and accessible Dermoskincare enriched with a blend of three essential ceramides and its revolutionary delivery system. The line-up of dermatologists-recommended solutions includes cleansers and moisturizers to hydrate, restore and replenish skin.

Digital Acceleration will be another key strategy for L’Oreal Thailand to propel growth in a highly digital connected market. In 2017, L’Oreal made use of various communication channels and approaches by venturing into new e-tailers with Konvy and Orami, as well as social commerce channel in Line@ and Craze, and the latest launch of owned e-boutiques with Lancome, YSL Beaute and Biotherm.

“e-Commerce is a very fast-growing channel and L’Oreal Thailand is committed to take a large part of it. We have been growing our e-commerce business in multiple ways to ensure that we are a step ahead of market trends and are present at every single step of the consumer journey including strengthened our leadership in connected beauty, managing to develop personalised interactions with consumers, and are on the right track to fulfil L’Oreal’s aspiration to be a brand loved by all,” said Keraudy

Being a great employer and a great place to work, is another top priority for the company. L’Oreal constantly strives to be the workplace magnet for the most aspirational talent, where employees’ success is shared and celebrated. By the end of 2018, L’Oreal aims to train 100 per cent of its employees through various learning and development programmes. Aimed to sharpen employee’s skills, these programmes will be conducted all year round using innovative offline and online learning platforms.

“In 2018, L’Oreal Thailand will keep working towards our vision of having at least one L’Oreal product in every Thai household paving the way in becoming the leader of the beauty industry in Thailand,” said Keraudy.

Tarida Klaipracha, chief executive officer, said the company opened its sales office in Thailand in 2004 focusing on the business-to-business (B2B) segment, mainly supplying office furniture to Japanese firms in Thailand. In 2008, the company started expanding its customer base by targeting selected groups of Thai companies in the design, architecture, and interior sectors with specific products catering to their diverse needs.

For the shareholder structure, Kokuyo holds a 49 per cent stake in Kokuyo International (Thailand), with Central Marketing Group (CMG), a manufacturing and marketing arm of Central Group, and Practicable, a Thai furniture manufacturer, holding a 24 per cent stake each. Mizuho a commercial bank in Japan, holds the balance.

The company commands a 80 per cent share of the office furniture market for Japanese firms in Thailand, he said.

Kokuyo has been operating in Japan for 113 years. The company has sales offices in other markets in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong. It also has a sales representative in Australia.

“We achieved Bt460 million in total sales last year, up from Bt430 million in 2016. Japanese clients accounted for 70 per cent of our sales with the balance to non-Japanese firms,”said Tarida.

“We aim to achieve Bt600 million in sales in 2020, with Japanese companies accounting for half of the total. About 5 per cent of sales is expected to non-Japanese clients who will be end-consumers,” she said.

Tarida said the company has opened a 250-square metre showroom for walk-in customers on the ninth floor of CentralWorld on Rama 1 Road in Bangkok.

“We are studying a dealer system as well as opening sales corners or shops in department stores in the next stage,” she said, adding that the company’s 400-square metre major showroom is expected to open in a shopping mall in 2020. The company expects to double its annual sales to Bt800 million by 2023.

Managing Director Sachio Kobayashi said Thailand’s furniture market is huge and the office furniture sector still has growth potential of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent per annum.

There is no real major player in the office furniture. The overall furniture market in Thailand was worth about Bt55 billion last year, with Bt5 billion in office furniture. “It is a trend that more Thais are now working more. Office furniture for home will cater to such a trend,” he said.

Tarida said that Kokuyo operates three major factories for its furniture in three different countries – Japan for all furniture products; China for work stations, chairs and document cabinets; and Malaysia for steel furniture such as document cabinets and tables. Malaysia is also the production base for Southeast Asia market.

“We have no plan to set up factory in Thailand as we can import office furniture from our facility in Malaysia with no import duty. We also enjoy cheaper raw material in Malaysia, especially for steel furniture,” she said.

Tarida said the Thai office also manages the sales of Kokuyo office furniture to Myanmar and Cambodia, while Malaysia is responsible for the Philippines and Vietnam.

The team, from the Robotics Field Institute of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thon Buri, have lost no time in capitalising on the recognition from their winning entry in the UAV-Startup 2017 competition.

They established the company, Novy (2018) Co Ltd, to provide the drones for the benefit of agricultural producers – especially those with coconut tree plantations.

UAV-Startup 2017 was conducted by the National Innovation Agency (NIA) and Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organisation) (GISTDA).

The students are Kridtat Satharanond, 22, Wirachat Kamkun, 23, Natthapong Changkaew, 22, Chinnawat Chinnapun, 22, and Wuttipat Chokanantasup, 22, led by their adviser teacher Dr Orapadee Joochim.

Kridtat said the inspiration to research and develop the drone for the agriculture sector came from the decision by he and his fellow students to join with Orapadee in the UAV-Startup 2017 programme last year.

“We had been learning about the robotics field and, as a result, we began thinking about how to develop drones for the benefit of our country – as most of the people are still engaged in farming,” Kridtat said in an interview with The Nation.

“Most of them need technology to support them in their efforts to get more yield from their crops. |But this is particularly difficult in the case of coconut trees, given their height.

“Farmers often have trouble knowing whether the trees are affected by pests or weeds. As a result, our group decided to propose our drone project for the UAV-Startup 2017 programme.”

After the project got past the first stage of the competition, the team began their research and development work on the drones after securing Bt200,000 in funding from the UAV-Startup programme for this purpose.

The drone they have developed has a range of functions, such as a camera that can reveal the presence of pests or weeds in a plantation. It also has a spraying system for insect repellent and for fertiliser.

A year after joining the programme, Kridtat and the team were declared the winners of UAV-Startup 2017.

The team took pride in displaying the drone at an exhibition stated by the NIA and GISTDA. Their creation drew plenty of interest from visitors, including those who were keen to buy one.

This interest presented a challenge for Kridtat and his fellow team members to establish Novy (2018) Co Ltd with registered capital of Bt1 million early this year after they gained contracted orders from customers for six drones.

“We do not have enough funds to produce our complete product for sale before we get an order,” Kridtat said.

“Our business model enables us to make the drones for order by our customers, who can pay in instalments throughout the process of producing them. Our drones can also be tailor-made according to our customers’ specifications.”

The six orders are worth a combined Bt1.8 million, based on a unit price of Bt300,000 each. All those who placed the orders are agricultural operators that provide services to farmers, reflecting the fact that the cost of a drone could be too high for many individual farmers, said Kridtat, adding that such an outlay meant the hi-tech devices were suitable for companies providing such agricultural services.

After their initial success with the drone project, Kridtat and his team were also announced as winners in the category of Life Enhancement in the Thai Green Design Awards 2018. The event was held by the Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI) of Kasetsart University this month.

“This kind of recognition helps us to promote our product to farmers and to carry out further research and development on products that can serve the needs of the country’s farmers,” Kridtat said.

The offer includes money transfers as well as general payments.

For example, the fee of Bt25 to Bt30 will be waived for customers transferring money from LH Bank to other banks.

The company is also looking to open up more branches and develop systems to accommodate the growing needs of target groups.

Chatchai Chinvetkitvanit, president of Deves Insurance PCL said that after deducting underwriting and operating expenses, its net profit for 2017 amounted to Bt265.65 million, an equivalent of Bt5.31 per share.

As for the company’s 2017 investment performance, the investment income stood at Bt137 million, a 3-per-cent decrease from the previous year. As of December 31, 2017 the company’s consolidated financial statements showed total assets of Bt11,094 million, total liabilities of Bt8,336 million, and total shareholders’ equity of Bt2,758 million.

The board of directors will propose at the 2018 annual general meeting of shareholders on April 24 that dividends on the 2017 operating results be paid to the shareholders. As the net profit for the year amounted to Bt265.65 million and the total earnings available for appropriation stood at Bt507.50 million after deducting accumulated deficits and legal reserves, the board of directors will propose a dividend of Bt3.20 per share, to be paid on May 8, 2018.

For 2018, the company has aimed for a growth of approximately 8 per cent and gross premiums of Bt5 billion, with 60 per cent coming from motor insurance and 40 per cent from non-motor insurance, both of which are expected to grow at a similar rate of 8-10 per cent on average, Chatchai said.

All its domestic businesses set to be certified by third and second parties within this year to ensure a solid performance in the area of sustainability throughout the organization, according to its press statement.

Virachai Ratanabanchuen, CPF Chief Operating Officer, said the standard has been drafted specifically for the company’s business to mitigate the impact on the environment and communities, using international principles as a guideline.

It aims to reduce risks on health and safety of those who work with the company and, consequently, decrease operating cost, helping the company to achieve sustainable goals.

“The company also plan to extend the certification process to overseas operations. The employees from all 16 countries where the company is operated will be trained to make sure that the operation will run smoothly, consistently and with the highest effectiveness across the world.”

The standard consists of two aspects including Management Standards and Technical Standards. Both parts are in compliance with highly recognized standards such as ISO14001, OHSAS18001, ISO50001 as well as regulations and demands from the government and customers.

The global concerns such as health and safety, natural resources & energy consumptions and global warming will also be taken into account in every business operation.

Recently, CPF’s food processing plants in Nongjok and Nakhon Ratchasima Chicken Breed Business, a local breeding farm, have been certified at “Excellent” level by AJA Registrars, an independent third party certification body, and internal auditors respectively. Both businesses are the first two business units that have been certified the standard.

And their digital channels are becoming increasingly important.

Nathalie Gerschtein Keraudy, managing director of L’Oreal (Thailand) Ltd, said, “2017 was especially notable for the accentuation of our digital edge, as digital channels became omnipresent for providing impeccable customer service”.

Thailand’s beauty market is one of the largest in Asean. The market grew by 7.8 per cent in 2017 over the previous year. Skincare remained the biggest beauty category while make-up was a growth contributor to the industry.

L’Oreal Thailand is the parent company’s largest subsidiary in Asean.

In 2018, the company will focus on the four key priorities of development, consumer centricity, digital acceleration, great employer and great citizen, said the release.