It also reduces production and labour costs significantly, and earns Board of Investment tax benefits.

Managing director Torn Pracharktam said this week he expected sales of prescription lenses from the RX Automation project to increase this year.

RX Automation, representing a Bt400-million investment, can manufacture more than a million prescription lenses (Rx lenses) on top of previous capacity.

The high precision of the technology imported from Germany significantly reduces production waste and has been approved by the BOI for a corporate income-tax exemption.

TOG will demonstrate the process to major clients and the press in the first quarter of 2018 in a bid to build confidence among customers about quality, manufacturing standards and other services.

Vice president Sarath Teganjanavanich announced the firm’s annual results for 2017.

The company has revenue from sales of goods and services of Bt1.87 billion, which is 2.92 per cent less than the last year due to a decrease in sales of value-added lenses spanning Asia-Pacific and North America.

The company had a net profit of Bt183.46 million (net margin of 9.59 per cent), 26.72 per cent less than that of the previous year. Net profit decreased due to production-process factors in the first half of 2017 and loss of the currency exchange rates.

TOG is preparing to unveil a new product, Bluloc, at the MIDO Eyewear Show later this month in Milan, Italy.

The Bluloc lens can reduce harmful light of frequencies below 420 nanometres by more than 95 per cent.

The company anticipates positive feedback from foreign customers, especially for its high-impact-resistance lenses such as Excelite Trivex and Excelite Tribrid and the high-index lenses like Excelite 1.67.

A new thematic television campaign with the concept “When you order drinking water, choose Crystal” will reinforce the brand’s positioning as “the quality drinking water”, they said.

Crystal will also partner with Woody World on a Community Workout programme featuring presenters Nai Naphat, Dome Pakorn and Ice Apitsada, to encourage Thais to stay healthy by exercising.

And Crystal will promote environmental conservation “as part of its sustainability initiatives”.

“With the successful and effective implementation of our strategy last year, Crystal finally became the leader in Thailand’s drinking water market,” Sermsuk Public Co president Lester Teck Chuan Tan announced.

“Compared to the market slowdown, which saw negative growth of 2 per cent, Crystal’s growth was the highest in the drinking water market, which is valued at Bt35 billion. This outstanding success is the result of the brand’s commitment to offering quality drinking water that is differentiated from other brands in the market.

“Crystal has earned several accolades, including for a marketing campaign that won a MAT Award last year in the alcoholic- and non-alcoholic-beverage category and was named Most Selected Brand of 2017 and won a Brand Footprint Award in the Top Rising Beverage Brand category at the Kantar awards,” Tan said.

He said this year’s plans include a string of marketing and sales promotions highlighting product quality, a “Crystal Everywhere” distribution system covering the entire country, and operations and supporting activities for social and environmental sustainability.

However, earnings from profit sharing at the power company’s joint ventures grew 23 per cent to Bt3.57 billion from 2016, as a result of the Hongsa thermal power plant’s improved efficiency of equivalent availability factor (EAF). The plant generated revenue of Bt2.01 billion, Ratch said.

Regarding its business goals and direction for 2018, the company plans to expand its generation capacity of 8,250 megawatts equivalent by 870 megawatts equivalent, or 12 per cent from the current installed generation capacity, with a Bt25 billion investment budget provisioning for projects under construction and development as well as new investment this year.

Kijja Sripatthangkura, chief executive of Ratch, said the company continued to show a robust performance in 2017 as seen from the profit sharing of joint ventures and the availability payment of the key power plants that rose 23 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, despite a slight decline in profit.

The company expected shareholders to gain a 2017 dividend of Bt3.48 billion (Bt2.40 per share), accounting for 57 per cent of the annual profit.

In September 2017, a Bt1.67 billion interim dividend (Bt1.15 per share) was paid, while the remainder of the payment will be proposed to the shareholders’ meeting for consideration and approval on April 5.

“To achieve the 8,250-MW goal, the company will focus on three businesses, namely electricity generation, infrastructure and fuel at home and internationally where six projects in the pipeline show investment possibility,” Kijja said.

“This year, acquisition of operating projects is more focused with a target of 370 megawatts to ensure steady and stable revenues and cash flow of the company.

“At the same time, greenfield and brownfield investment will look further for 500 megawatts. It projects investment spending of around Bt25 billion in this year, which will derive from the company’s outstanding cash and fund-raising in financial market: Bt15 billion used for existing projects and Bt10 billion for new investments.”

This year, two projects in Australia are scheduled to operate commercially: the 34-MW Collinsville solar power project to be generated in July and 144.36-MW Mount Emerald wind farm to be operated in September which will increase the company’s commercial capacity to 6,674 megawatts.

For the overall 2017 performance, Ratch realised Bt8.35 billion in earnings before interest expenses and tax, Bt46.43 billion revenue, and Bt15.09 billion in revenue excluding the energy payment. The availability payment income from the Ratchaburi and Tri Energy power plants as well as the profit sharing from Hongsa power plant rose significantly. Considering the revenue structure in 2017, there are three main sources, including revenues from sale and service as well as a financial lease of 70.6 per cent of total revenues, profit sharing from joint ventures of 24.9 per cent and interest income and others of 4.5 per cent.

For the financial position on December 31, the company reported total assets of Bt94.22 billion, with liabilities of Bt30.94 billion and shareholders’ equity of Bt63.28 billion, along with cash and investment of Bt10.01 billion and retained earnings of Bt51.45 billion.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, which starts tomorrow, Siam Piwat Co Ltd or One Siam, will host “Siam Delightful Chinese New Year” featuring Lion Dance Parade, give-away of Angpao (containing vouchers), special privileges and discounts for Thai and foreign shoppers at Siam Paragon Shopping Center, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery from today until February 18.

Pepsi unveils new global campaign

Pepsi is unveiling its global creative campaign ofr 2018 tiltled “Love It, Live It. Generations” in celebration of the brand’s rich history in pop culture.

Through the decades, Pepsi has encouraged consumers to have fun, live out loud and enjoy life to the fullest. Pepsi has created memorable moments across generations that have shaped culture and still generates interest from consumers today.

The campaign will celebrate the best moments of our past, create new iconic moments for today and set the stage for an exciting future, allowing Pepsi to be the choice for decades to come.

Somchai Ketchaikosol, marketing director /beverages, Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Co Ltd, said that the Pepsi brand was founded more than a century ago and has stood for a youthful spirit and the choice of a new generation.

“In Thailand, our iconic brand is loved and enjoyed among Thais from generation to generation, for over 65 years. This is proved by the recent survey result which revealed that Pepsi is the number one top-of-mind carbonated soft drink brand in Thailand and 62 per cent of Thai consumers say Pepsi is the brand they love.”

One stop printing centre established

Fuji Xerox has teamed up with Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University in establishing an printing service centre to provide one-stop documentation service using Fuji Digital Printing Technology for various functions It aims to facilitate efficient printing management at Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University by ensuring maximum benefits while moving towards digital printing.

Kitikorn Nongsawat, director of Fuji Xerox Global Services and Solution Business, Fuji Xerox (Thailand) Co Ltd, said the company introduced its Fuji Xerox multi-function devices and One-Stop Print Room Service to Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, having studied the problems and difficulties relating to cutting printing costs and the possibility of setting up a collaborative printing service centre within the organisation.

The discussions were carried out under the keen vision of the chancellor. The One-Stop Printing Service Center is expected to address and facilitate all printing jobs at affordable prices, meeting customer requirements as well as timely service without the need for outsourcing.

Retailer leads 3-way anti-waste drive

Tesco Lotus is continuing its drive against food waste in Thailand by encouraging Chinese-Thais not to throw away edible food during the upcoming Chinese New Year. The retailer has joined forces with Poh Teck Tung Foundation, the Department of Pollution Control, and the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district to raise awareness on responsible consumption during the Lunar New Year. IT has also handed out noodles made with eight lucky ingredients.

Salinla Seehaphan, Corporate Affairs Director, Tesco Lotus, said: “As a leading food retailer, we provide high-quality fresh food at affordable prices to our customers every day. For the upcoming Chinese New Year, we have sourced great quality products for our customers to start their new year with good fortune. As we sell a large amount of food every day, we realise the integral role that we can play in reducing food waste in Thailand. Tesco Lotus made a commitment in 2017 to donate surplus food that’s still edible from all our hypermarkets in Bangkok. To date, we have donated more than 1.1 million meals to charities and directly to those in need.”

“Chinese New Year is typically the peak period during which customers purchase more fresh food than usual and it safe to presume that there’s going to be more food waste. The Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting, the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, has estimated that Bt55 billion will be spent during the Chinese NewYear this year – the highest amount in a decade.

Tesco Lotus has also increased our supplies of fresh food by almost 50 per cent to meet the rise in demands. Today, I’m delighted to announce our partnership with Poh Teck Tung, the Department of Pollution Control, and Pom Prap Sattru Phai distrct, to encourage Thai people to take part in helping to reduce food waste during Chinese New Year by consuming responsibly and avoid throwing away edible food.”

However, the profit-sharing from joint ventures grew to Bt3.577 billion, up 23 per cent as a result of Hongsa thermal power plant’s improved efficiency of equivalent availability factor (EAF) generating Bt2.018-billion in revenue.

Regarding business goals and direction for 2018, the company said it plans to expand its generation capacity of 8,250 megawatts equivalent by 870 megawatts equivalent or 12 per cent from the current installed generation capacity. It has a Bt25-billion investment budget provisioning for projects under construction and development as well as new investment this year, CEO Kijja Sripatthangkura said.

Chaiwat Luangamornlert, chairman of the board of Siam Park City, said the Bangkok City development was expected to nearly double the number of visitors to Siam Park City from around 1.7 million a year to some three million within three years.

The company is also expected to increase Siam Park City’s annual revenues from the more than Bt500 million posted last year to about Bt1.5 billion in three years.

Chaiwat said that the proportion of foreign visitors to Siam Park City is projected to jump from 15 per cent to 50 per cent in that period – especially those from China and India.

“We are preparing ourselves to list on the local stock market within three years,” said Chaiwat, adding that the company has appointed EY Thailand to lay out its accounting and working systems in a task that will be completed within one and a half years as part of the listing plan.

“I want the Siam Park City not to be dominated by the Luangamornlert family any more, but to distribute its shares to other investors,” said Chaiwat.

He added that the company was undergoing a transformation with the adoption of a modern style of management. All employees would be trained up to conform with the new business and management style, providing the appropriate skills in English, finance and accounting, risk management, and social responsibility.

“We will bring in information technology to be applied at our amusement park. To be developed by ourselves or under cooperation with major commercial banks, the IT application will allow individual visitors to enjoy all rides and services with cashless payment,” said Chaiwat.

To be built on a 70-rai plot at its existing amusement park in Bangkok’s Kannayao district, Bangkok City will reproduce some of the historic buildings associated with the era of King Rama V, such as Siam Kammajon, Backman & Co, B Grimm & Co, Baan Phra Arthit, the Democracy Monument, Sala Chalermthai, and Sala Chalermkrung, as well as famous trading districts, such as Sampheng, Phahurat, and Klong Thom. All the attractions will come under one complex. Bangkok City is expected to reach its return on investment within 10 to 15 years.

Chaiwat said the new development is in line with the Thailand 4.0 economic model aimed at promoting the tourism sector as well as local community products, such as the One Tambon, One Product scheme.

The Siam Park City amusement park has been an established tourism fixture a 400-rai plot, and it boasts a 75-rai water park. Siam Park City operates what the company promotes as the world’s largest artificial sea, as recognised by Guinness World Records.

“The development of the Bangkok City retail plaza and night market will be my last piece of work, before handing over the running of the business to my children, who are well versed in the modern style of management,” said Chaiwat.

“I have operated Siam Park City for 38 years with my Chinese management style. I work very hard for seven days a week without any holiday, except when I am sick or go abroad.”

Chaiwat, 79, has two sons and one daughter – Sittisak Luangamornlert, who is president of the company; Wuthichai Luangamornlert, the managing director; and Chirawan Diskul na Ayudhaya, vice president. Two daughters in law, Noppagarn and Vorapun Luangamornlert, serve as deputy managing director and assistant managing director for human resources, respectively.

Samsung plans to upgrade all its 128 branded shops to the experience store concept – based on customers’ need and interests, with more than 10 outlets earmarked for change this year.

Wichai Pornpratang, corporate vice president/ IT and Mobile Communications, Thai Samsung Electronics, said the experience store concept is designed to allow consumers to experience and be briefed on the latest innovation products and services, smartphone, accessories, and other devices.

The move is to ensure the market leadership of Samsung which was also the pioneer in launching branded-shops eight years ago, Wichai said, adding that most of the consumers in Thailand have yet to benefit the full scope of smartphones and other innovation devices. The Samsung Experience store will allow Thai consumers to have a hand-on experience of new devices before making a purchase.

“Smartphone is now people’s companion, work and life, so we want to offer our customers true experience at the experience store. We want them to play and enjoy our products before purchase. We designed it as a playground for our consumer,” said Wichai.

The first experience store is located on the 3rd floor , Siam Paragon. It is the prototype for others it plans to renovate and other new outlets.

“This shop was solely funded by our headquarters in Singapore, and is operated by our partner Jaymart. For other shops, we will co-invest with our partners as we have done with the branded-stores,” said Wichai.

The new store focuses on offering consumers the experience of using Samsung products, and the floor plan was designed to let them enjoy while walking through the shop.

The shop comprises eight zones: U-Bar to showcase all flagship smartphones; photography zone to highlight performance of Samsung smartphone’s camera; music zone to showcase Samsung headphone and bluetooth wireless speakers; VR 4D to allow consumers experience the virtual world in different way; gaming zone to allow consumers to enjoy playing game with Samsung’s products; work zone to showcase how Samsung smartphone and accessories allow consumer work anywhere and anytime according to their lifestyle; as well as accessories zone and services zone.

Dusit Sukhumvithaya, co-chief executive officer, Jaymart Mobile, said the experience store will add a new dimension to customer experience and help increase shop’s revenue.

Since the store was renovated and opened two months ago, its revenue has risen 40 per cent.