Metro Machinery will bide its time this year
Metro Machinery, the exclusive dealer for Caterpillar in Thailand, will maintain the same sales of Bt4 billion this year as last, as most of its customers have delayed investment expansion this year.
Vice chairman Veera Buraphachaisri on Friday said customers were concerned about political uncertainty and weak economic growth. Metro Machinery recorded strong growth last year from sales of Bt3 billion in 2004. Veera does expect sales growth next year with political clarity and government investment in infrastructure. Metro Machinery has been Caterpillar's dealer for 27 years and has expanded investment in China since 1995 to provide maintenance for Caterpillar there. Six years ago it moved into the property business, setting up Metrostar Property, now listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and bringing in 20 per cent of the group's revenue this year, which is expected to rise to 30 per cent five years from now. "Metro Machinery continues to be our main business, but property will be on the rise," Veera said.
Somluck Srimalee
The Nation
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