The company has already raised prices twice this year, by 10 per cent in January and another 5 per cent last month.

3K could cope with lead at US$1,700 (Bt59,466) per tonne but the metal rose yesterday to $1,945, said managing director Veerawat Korphaibool.

The price of lead has risen continuously over the last two years because of huge demand from the Chinese industrial sector and speculation in the global market.

"We will see whether the lead price in the world market declines soon. If it doesn't, we will have to increase our price for the third time this year," said Veerawat.

Meanwhile, 3K is to launch two new models in its Ninja series this month, aimed at the medium to low-end market. The new batteries are the X120, which is suitable for pickup trucks with an engine size of more than three litres, and the X150 for full-loading vehicles.

The company introduced the 3K-X100, the first model in the Ninja series, at the start of the year.

"We have been very successful with the X100, used in small pickup trucks, over the past few months. Sales were recorded at 30,000 units per month," he said.

Veerawat added that the Ninja series was 10 per cent cheaper than standard batteries thanks to lower production costs arising from advanced technology.

The Ninja series will represent 20 per cent of domestic sales this year, he said.

The company targets revenue growth of less than 10 per cent this year due to the economic slowdown. It plans to increase the export proportion of its production from 50 per cent to 55 per cent.

Veerawat said 3K was studying international markets, with a view to exporting the Ninja series soon.

He said the firm had not been severely affected by the baht's appreciation because most raw materials were imported, but acknowledged that profits last year had fallen by 22 per cent.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation