At A Glance
CPF commits to health and safety standards
Charoen Pokphand Plc (CPF), an agri-industrial conglomerate, has committed to a CPF Safety Health Environment and Energy Standard.
All CPF’s domestic businesses set to be certified by third and second parties within 2018. This is to ensure a solid performance in the area of sustainability throughout the organisation, the company said.
Virachai Ratanabanchuen, chief operating officer at CPF, said the standard has been drafted specifically for the company’s business to mitigate impact on the environment and communities, using international principles as a guideline.
“It aims to reduce risks to the health and safety of those who work with the company and, consequently, decrease operating costs, helping the company to achieve sustainable goals,” Virachai said.
“The company also plan to extend the certification process to overseas operations. The employees from all 16 countries where the company is operated will be trained to make sure that the operation will run smoothly, consistently and with the highest effectiveness across the world.”
BIG Camera links up with manufacturers
BIG Camera, a digital camera dealer in Thailand and Southeast Asian, has announced an exclusivity marketing plan as a strategy “to stay ahead of the competitors and to differentiate us by joining forces with major camera makers which produce limited digital camera models in special colours”.
In addition to offering premium after-sales services, BIG Camera said it expanding its customer base to younger customers “who prefer unique styles and differences”.
To drive the retail market, the BIG Camera Festival 2018 will be held to sell camera models being introduced this year from every brand, kicking off the official sales season of the year for the digital camera products. The event is from April 4-11 at Central Plaza Ladprao.
Tanasit Thienkanjanawong, business development director of BIG Camera Corporation PLC, said that Thailand saw 310,000 digital camera units sold in 2017 at a value of Bt8.6 billion.
“The mirrorless digital camera segment still commanded a much higher market share than DSLR and Compact cameras. As digital camera brands focus on the mirrorless cameras, the competition is getting more intensified as a result,” Tanasit said.
“Based on our distribution data to our 230 branches throughout Thailand, it’s found that the consumer behaviour has been changing in the past two years, given that digital camera users are those in younger ages; they tend to follow closely trends in the market; they prefer limited edition products with unique styles and colours.
“In case that the models they look for are not available in Thailand, they will make an online purchase or a pre-order, under which they apparently encounter a number of limitations concerning quality check-ups, import duties, and warranty.”
VRH aims for high end with bathroom fittings
VRH, a Thai manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel taps and bathroom fittings, has launched the VRH Modern Life range of products, expanding the company’s business as an exclusive dealer of imported sanitary wares and taps from leading brands.
Featuring functionality and modern technology, VRH highlights Europea’s top brands such as Conti and Axent to attract high-end consumers.
Pisanu Hathaipantalux, director of VRH Modern Life, VR Union Co Ltd, said that, as Thailand’s leading manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel taps, bathroom fittings and kitchen accessories, VRH will launch a new business operation using the VRH Modern Life brand.
“The new segment will tap into the futuristic sanitary technology market to enhance efficiency and convenience that respond to the needs for functionality of consumers who favour high-end technology,” Pisanu said.
“These consumers have a tendency to grow in relation to the real estate and construction industry, which is expanding to correspond to the government’s infrastructure network development project and private investment in the Industry 4.0 era.
“Set to operate as an exclusive dealer, VRH Modern Life will select products from bathroom and kitchen segments, which feature leading-edge technology produced by the world’s top manufacturers and brands that are globally recognised for design and functional innovation. These products will be distributed in Thailand by VRH Modern Life for VR Union Co Ltd.
UPS boosts revenue by 11% for quarter
Global logistics operator UPS, which operates package and container transporting for domestic and international trades in more than 220 countries, yesterday released its results for the fourth quarter of 2017.
Revenue was US$18.8 billion, which represents a rise of 11 per cent from $16.9 billion in the previous quarter. The company announced earnings per share of $1.27.
David Abney, UPS chairman and CEO, said: “We achieved our 2017 adjusted earnings-per-share target through exceptionally strong revenue and yield growth, coupled with benefits from our network investments and portfolio initiatives. We made significant progress on key capacity investments in 2017.
“Our momentum, transformative actions and the economic catalyst from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), position UPS for growth in 2018 and beyond. We expect to unlock significant resources, which will be available for accelerated investments in our network and create additional opportunities for our people.
“GAAP results for the quarter include a benefit of $0.30 per share attributable to the TCJA. In addition, results include a mark-to-market (MTM) non-cash, pre-tax pension charge of $800 million which represents an after-tax charge of $0.70 per diluted share.
In the prior-year period, the company reported non-cash, after-tax charges of $1.90 per diluted share related to mark-to-market pension charges.”
