Chattaweekij Corp, a producer of clothing and accessories for men and women under the Crocodile brand, plans to invest Bt250 million this year to expand its production capacity and boost sales.

Managing director Somsak Chataweesak said the company would spend Bt100 million to expand its production capacity from 10 tonnes of thread a month to 15 tonnes.

New manufacturing will start in the third quarter, boosting sales from Bt250 million last year to Bt350 million this year. Eighty per cent will come from the domestic market and the rest from exports, he said.

Export markets include Taiwan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Singapore.

The money for its new manufacturing operations will come from bank loans, Somsak said.

The company will spend Bt50 million to increase its number of outlets from 56 to 90 outlets, and the remaining Bt100 million on a marketing campaign.

The first phase of the campaign, which runs until June 6, offers customers who spend more than Bt3,500 a free Crocodile T-shirt to commemorate His Majesty the King's 60th anniversary this year.

The budget for the campaign is Bt40 million, and Somsak said he expects it to generate sales of Bt70 million.

He said the company is also looking to negotiate production and distribution rights with clothing brands from Italy and France.

"We started to negotiate for new brands last year but had to delay the process because of political problems in our country," he said.

However, he said when the political crisis ends, the company will re-start negotiations.

If the company adds new brands to its portfolio - with the focus on teenagers and young workers - it will spend at least Bt120 million on introducing them to the market, Somsak said.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation