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DHL unit wins Best Employer honours
The express division of logistics company DHL has been named Best Employer in the Asia-Pacific region by Aon Hewitt, a human-resource consultancy and outsourcing adviser.
DHL Express also received the Best Employer award in Thailand and Indonesia for the first time, joining DHL Express Korea, which received the same award earlier this year.
The awards are the result of the Aon Hewitt Best Employers 2.0-Asia 2013 Study, which measures employers’ effectiveness in creating a workplace environment that engages employees and enables them to contribute to a real competitive advantage.
DHL was presented with both the Asia-Pacific and Thailand awards at a ceremony held at Bangkok’s Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel this week.
The study was conducted in nine Asian economies: mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
Nikon eyes 16% growth
Nikon Sales (Thailand) says it targets 16-per-cent growth for fiscal year 2013.
The company aims to expand its market share of D-SLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras to 45 per cent, while enjoying 25-per-cent market share for its family of mirror-less cameras, as well as driving the growth for the digital compact segment to 20 per cent.
In fiscal 2012 (April 2012 to March 2013), Nikon Sales (Thailand) increased its market share from 29.1 per cent to 39 per cent in D-SLRs, from 8.6 per cent to 27.6 per cent in mirror-less cameras, and from 9.3 per cent to 15.7 per cent in the digital compact category compared with fiscal 2011.
As well, Nikon Sales (Thailand) enjoyed 70 per cent year-on-year growth in fiscal 2012, in a highly competitive market.
The products the company successfully launched were the D4, D800/D800E, D600, D7100, D5200, Nikon 1 series, and Nikon Coolpix series, including the P7700.
It says keys to its growth include the launch of technologically advanced products, marketing initiatives, promotional programmes and service improvements, providing better, faster service to customers, as well as strengthening its relationships with business partners such as suppliers, as well as Nikon customers.
Leasing firm rated
TRIS Rating has assigned a “BBB+” rating to the proposed issue of up to Bt2 billion in senior debentures of Ratchthani Leasing. It has also affirmed the company and existing senior debenture ratings at “BBB+”. The outlook remains stable.
The proceeds from the new debentures will be used to refinance outstanding debts and expand its loan portfolio. The ratings reflect the extensive experience of the management team in the used-car financing business, plus the continuous improvements in the company’s operating processes and risk-management systems.
The ratings also reflect the firm’s improved financial performance and stronger market position, after receiving business and financial support from its major shareholder, Thanachart Bank. The ratings are enhanced from its standalone rating, because the company is currently classified as a subsidiary of TBank’s financial conglomerate under the Bank of Thailand’s consolidated supervision regulations.
3 A330s for Oman Air
Oman Air has placed an order for three A330-300s, growing its fleet to a total of 10 Airbus aircraft. The planes will be operated on long-haul routes and can comfortably seat close to 300 passengers.
“The efficiency, reliability and passenger appeal of our in-service A330s already make the pillar of Oman Air’s long-haul operations,” said CEO Wayne Pearce.
Chevrolet opens 98th dealership
Chevrolet Sales Thailand has officially opened its 18th dealership in the Northern region, in Chiang Mai. To date, this is Chevrolet’s 98th dealership nationwide.
Charoen Motor Chiangmai, as the latest dealership is known, has a total area of 6,500 square metres and houses a more than 1,000sqm showroom and customer-service area, in addition to 15 bays and 13 hoists in the service and maintenance area. The whole facility is designed according to Chevrolet’s new corporate identity, developed to enhance customers’ experience in the showroom and service centre. The dealership has 55 employees, mostly from the local area.
For the first quarter of 2013, Chevrolet sold 2,066 vehicles in the Northern region. This represents growth of 11 per cent compared with the same period in 2012. For Chevrolet, the Northern region covers Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Lamphun, Phrae, Nan, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Sukhothai, Nakhon Sawan, Uttaradit and Tak, served by 18 dealerships. The auto-maker plans to have 120 dealerships in Thailand by the end of the year.
Laos in hydro talks
Laotian government energy officials met this week with hydropower experts from around the world to discuss ways to advance sustainable hydropower development.
The talks led by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines Viraphonh Viravong took place during a meeting of the International Hydropower Association in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
“We are here to learn how to achieve sustainability in hydropower development based on international standards and practices,” Viravong said in a presse release from his ministry.
Laos has the potential to develop about 100 hydropower plants with a combined installed generation capacity of about 26,000 megawatts. So far, 14 dams have been built with a total installed electricity capacity of 3,200MW. – Vientiane Times
Rice imports down
Rice imports in Bangladesh hit the lowest in 16 years, thanks to increased domestic production that helped the country become nearly self-sufficient.
Bangladesh imported only 27,700 tonnes of rice since the beginning of fiscal 2012-13, down 94 per cent from 515,000 tonnes in the same period a year earlier, according to the Food Ministry.
“It reflects that we are close to self-sufficiency in rice,” said Mahabub Hossain, an economist who follows agriculture and rural economy. – The Daily Star
