Ikea to open on time, but without usual hoopla
Despite the flood threat, Ikea yesterday confirmed the launch tomorrow of its first mega-store on Bang Na-Trat Road, but as a "soft" instead of a "grand" opening.
“We are no different from many others. We have put an emergency response team in place led by a risk manager we flew in from Luxembourg,” said Lars Svensson, marketing manager for Ikano (Thailand).
The company has identified critical areas that could have a severe impact or stop its operations and has protected them accordingly.
It has prepared sandbags and pumps, put up brick walls and brought in lifting equipment, and it is shifting goods.
Trucks and boats plus shuttle buses have been secured to take people away from the site. Generators are on standby with enough diesel to run critical operations for 48 hours. There is food as well as enough space to lodge co-workers and families for up to two weeks.
The company has stored tap water on the roof and subjected it to a filter and water treatment so it can be self-sufficient in water for awhile.
“Co-workers are told to prioritise homes, safety and families over work. Time off for flood-related issues has no impact on salary. We also have a flooding policy in place.
“We decided to change the message in the opening campaign and to tone it down a notch and to cancel or defer media where possible.
“Usually our openings are grand and noisy. The opening is no longer a grand opening but a low-key soft opening,” he said.
The company has only one local supplier that has been directly affected by the flood and it has solved that problem by seeking replacement products elsewhere.
Ikea is fully committed to continuing its investment plan in Thailand with at least two more stores expected to be built in Greater Bangkok within 10 years.
“We have faith in Thailand and that there is a solid market also for us. We believe that Thailand and the Thais have a solid reputation with foreign investors. The resilience of the Thai people and the strength of its industries are a great foundation for foreign investors.
It will take more than a natural disaster to shake that perception,” Svensson said.
