Managing director Panom Pimsaeng said yesterday that the company had inked deals worth Bt100 million with three customers to provide them with ready-made factories and machine installation.

FCI International is currently providing factory construction and machine installation for 20 industries, he said. These are mainly existing customers expanding their facilities. "This makes the company confident about achieving its growth target of 20 per cent this year," said Panom.

Although the economic slowdown is expected to affect the construction industry, sales of ready-made factories are holding firm. "None of our customers is delaying expansion plans," said Panom.

FCI International believes the downward trend of interest rates will contribute to it having a good year.

The company is now studying the feasibility of expanding into Vietnam and China, where Amata Corporation puts up its industrial parks.

There are around 10 ready-made factory providers in Thailand. Only a few are major players, including FCI International.

Considered as a one-stop service provider, the company provides services including land selection, land filling, factory licence application, land usage, factory construction and machine installation.

"It normally takes four to eight months to construct each factory," said Panom.

FCI International now provides four main types of factories. Each can be adapted to fit customers' needs. Customers are mainly Thai manufacturers in various industries including printing, auto parts and tyres.

The company was established in 2002 with registered capital of Bt5 million. It now has 100 staff and 500 construction workers.

Watcharapong Thongrung

 The Nation