Patkol eyes big sales boost in CLMV countries 

In the long run, the firm plans to expand its investment in these CLMV countries, which could start at Vietnam as it was experiencing high demand from the emerging economy. 
Sangchai Chotchuangchat-chaval, chief executive officer of Patkol, said if the company achieved its sales target in those markets and if sales remained steady, it would consider setting up plants to create machinery in those countries.
“Vietnam is one of the potential markets for exporting food machinery and can be a new investment based in the future. CLMV could play a more significant role in supporting the company’s growth after four other Asean countries have been major export market for the company for a long time,” he said.
 For this year, sales of Patkol are expected to grow 10 per cent from Bt3.7 billion last year. Its domestic sales are expected to grow 5 per cent while exports are forecast to grow 10 percent. 
From the 50 countries it exports to, 70 per cent of its revenue is made in Asean, with 20 per cent coming from CLMV countries. 
 The CLMV portion could surge to surge to above 30 per cent in the next three years under the growth plan, Sangchai said.
 Currently, the company has trade offices in every Asean country. 
To support export growth this year, Patkol will invest Bt200 million in establishing a new plant in Chacheongsao province in Thailand. 
The new factory will produce machine parts supporting the company’s four core production lines, providing the firm with room to produce other parts at its existing factories.
The four core business lines are ice machines, refrigeration, dairy and beverages and food processing. Its existing plants are in Samut Prakarn and Phetchburi. 
 In addition to supporting business growth, Sangchai said Patkol would this year double its investment on research and development from less than 1 per cent and aim to boost it to 3 per cent in the next three years.