Three sectors targeted for pre-AEC training scheme

Those three businesses will be on the department’s business-development plan for upgrading service standards.

Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart said yesterday the department would select potential small and medium-sized enterprises in those three sectors to participate in its training programme from this month through July. Selected companies will learn about management and product development from experts in such areas.

"Thai SMEs have high development potential, particularly in the service sector, to compete with others when regional market liberalisation will be implemented," Siriwat said.

More Sab Expresses

S Khonkaen Foods has budgeted Bt20 million to open five new Sab Express restaurants to promote Isaan food in modern-trade outlets this year, company director Charanpol Rujirasoporn said in a news release yesterday. The company has three Sab Express branches at Bang Phli, Aree and Seacon Square, whose success has encouraged it to open the five new branches.

"We target our restaurant sales to achieve Bt200 million [in sales] in the next five years through our plan to open an average of five new branches a year," he said.

FedEx driving programme

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation and the world’s largest express transport company, recently launched an eco-drive campaign in 10 Asia-Pacific economies: Thailand, Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan. The aim of the programme is to improve fuel efficiency by changing the daily driving habits of hundreds of FedEx drivers.

Begun in Japan, the scheme teaches FedEx drivers how to operate in a more environmentally friendly way through both classroom and practical sessions. Taught by experts from Isuzu, the benefits of the programme include fuel efficiency leading to cost savings, lower emissions leading to a cleaner environment, and vehicle accident prevention leading to safer roads. The techniques and tips learned from the programme can be applied on the job and outside of work. Hundreds of FedEx Asia-Pacific drivers will increase their awareness of the importance of energy conservation, environmental protection and general road safety, the company says.

Award for Dubai airport

Dubai International has won another prestigious industry accolade as the best airport for cargo in the Middle East, this time at the Air Cargo Excellence (ACE) Awards held in Kuala Lumpur this week.

This follows the airport’s impressive performance at the coveted Airports Council International’s Airport Service Quality awards in February, where it earned recognition as the Best Airport in the Middle East and Most Improved Airport in the Middle East for the second consecutive year.

At the ACE Awards, Andrew Walsh, vice president for cargo and logistics at Dubai Airports, said: "We are very pleased with the recognition, which is much coveted as a direct recognition from the industry. Dubai is the fourth-busiest airport for international freight according to the Airport Council International’s latest figures and we have some of the best infrastructure and cargo facilities available. To be recognised as not only one of the world’s busiest but also the best is a great honour. We have always been focused on enhancing our customer service and the value we offer."

As part of a US$7.8-billion (B240 billion) airport expansion plan, Dubai Airports intends to increase cargo capacity at Dubai International by adding 30,000 square metres to its Cargo Mega Terminal at Dubai International over the next five years.

McDonald’s honours suppliers

McDonald’s yesterday announced its 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply Chain winners by highlighting 51 stories of supply-chain partners addressing challenges to help improve food sources, the environment, communities and employee wellness across the world.

McDonald’s received more than 400 submissions from 172 suppliers, making the 2012 selection process the most difficult yet highest-impact to date, the fast-food company said.

Supply-chain achievements spanned diverse areas including meeting zero waste-to-landfill targets, taking the plastic out of plastic bottles, teaching orphans how to raise chickens, helping employees attain further education, and more. Collectively, they demonstrated the power of sharing responsibility by letting employees lead; sharing experience by applying global lessons locally; and sharing expertise through partnerships. A panel of executives and external experts, including BSR, Conservation International, Food Animal Initiative and WWF selected the final 2012 Best of Sustainable Supply winners. These projects were selected based on either measurable results or innovation. – The Nation