IN Brief

Samsung deal helps TWZ

COMMUNICATIONS :The SET-listed mobile phone retailer TWZ Corp expects 2007 revenues to more than double to eight billion baht now that it has been appointed a Samsung distributor.

Net profit this year should also increase as the company would open more branches and small retail shops, said managing director Puttachat Rungkasiri.

TWZ expected to report revenues of 3.5 billion baht for 2006, up from 2.9 billion baht in 2005, he said. Official results will be released next month.

TWZ has set up a subsidiary, Sam Corporation, to sell Samsung mobile phones with registered capital of 20 million baht. Samsung would also hire TWZ to help manage 10 Samsung mobile shops in Thailand this year, Mr Puttachat said.

TWZ, which also sells Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Motorola phones, aimed to have 50 branches by year-end, up from 37 now, he said.

The company expects to sell 800,000 handsets this year, up from about 500,000 last year, in a market expected to grow by 10-15% overall to eight million units.

TWZ shares closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 17 baht, down 50 satang, in trade worth 13.17 million baht. REUTERS

14% growth for Honda

AUTOMOBILES :Local sales of Honda automobiles grew by 14% last year to 66,333 units, according to Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co.

The company said good consumer response to its vehicles had offset sluggish market conditions affected by flooding and higher oil prices.

President Hiroshi Toda said strong demand for the Civic and the redesigned CR-V were key factors spurring sales.

Orders for Civics placed Honda first in the compact car segment with a 40% share from 26,777 units last year. Rivals in the segment include the Toyota Altis, Chevrolet Optra, Ford Focus and Mazda 3.

As well, said Mr Toda, more than 3,500 CR-Vs have been booked since the redesigned sport-utility model was introduced in November.

He said competition would intensify this year and that Honda had set a sales target of 70,000 units.

Riche Monde change

BEVERAGES :Riche Monde (Bangkok) Ltd, a major alcoholic beverage importer, yesterday announced a corporate name change to Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd.

"The new name puts our operation in alignment with other markets around Asia while capturing the brand equity of our corporate shareholders' names," said Vorathep Rangchaikul, the company's president.

Riche Monde units in Hong Kong and Singapore have also adopted the Moet Hennessy Diageo name.

The Thai company is now adjusting its promotional materials, which would be in full use by Feb 1, Mr Vorathep said.

General News
Bangkok Post
Thursday January 25, 2007