Continental invests in production efficiency to meet rising regional demand.
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Germany-based Continental plans to rank up to top three global brand of auto part supplies in the region, including Thai market, in the next five years to serve a rising demand.
To achieve the goal, Continental Automotive has recently improved its manufacturing system in Thailand for an increased production capacity, Thomas Chambers, managing director of Continental Automotive (Thailand) Co Ltd said yesterday.
Having invested Bt400million so far this year, the company is planning to put in another Bt200 million by year-end.
It is also looking to increase the proportion of local content from the current 47 per cent to 60 per cent by 2014, anticipating that the approaching Asean Economic Community will enable the company to achieve its aim.
Among the keys to success will be the development of technology in line with market trends, a competitive pricing mechanism and the opportunity to be the centre for automotive parts, he said, adding that the company was now the third-largest provider of power-train products in Thailand.
The overall Bt600-million investment this year in acquiring new machines for its facilities at Amata City Industrial Estate is aimed at increasing efficiency, as the factories are currently only able to operate at 50 per cent of their full capacity.
Production will increase to 100 per cent of capacity by 2014 to accommodate growing regional markets, Chambers said.
