Meanwhile, the company plans to expand its logistics network in Vietnam and Cambodia this year in line with the group's vision, which is aimed at being a regional market leader by 2015.

"We jumped our revenues from Bt2.39 billion in 2000 to Bt7.6 billion in 2006, a growth rate of three times in seven years, thanks to a massive business expansion of our clients and other leading companies," he said.

CTL's revenues last year was up 18 per cent from the year before. Currently, 70 per cent of its revenues comes from supporting the group's products, while the remaining 30 per cent is contributed by its support for other companies such as Shell, Siam Kraft, Nestle, Dutchmill and Red Bull Extra.

This year, the company expects sales growth of 20 per cent, reaching Bt9.1 billion.

Bhanumas said there were many investors interested in developing the logistics of Cambodia and Vietnam due to their high growth rate.

It will rent a second warehouse in Vietnam next quarter after renting the first one last year.

Bhanumas said the company would not build its own warehouses in the two countries, because it wanted to secure its market first.

CTL expanded to neighbouring countries to support the group's expansion in the future rather than generate a huge amount of revenues, he added. Hence, revenues from the two countries are not

expected to reach 5 per cent of total revenues this year.

Meanwhile, the company plans to invest around Bt200 million to support the energy industry here. Of the total investment, Bt60 million will go toward building a coal warehouse in the western region and Bt30 million for installing new equipment.

It will develop information technologies with an investment of Bt40 million, while the remaining Bt70 million will be spent on its activities for society, such as establishing the CTL Drivers Development Institute.

As part of a multimodal transport strategy launched by the government last week, CTL agreed to pay attention to improving efficiency and cost management by using more marine and train transport.

Bhanumas said the company would boost the proportion of marine logistics because of its low oil usage. Currently, one-fourth of its revenues comes from marine logistics.

According to the company's information, a marine vessel consumes two litres of oil per tonne, a train uses three and a truck seven.

To advance the company's marine logistics, it also signed a contract with Jumbo Barges and Tugs, Thailand's leader in marine logistics, to increase its capacity.

 According to the contract, the company will spend Bt100 million to purchase 27 per cent of the total shares in Jumbo Barges and Tugs this year.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation