Pool-maker to make big splash
Swimming-pool installer JD Pools remains bullish about business prospects this year, with plans to increase its factory capacity, expand its franchise network and penetrate foreign markets.
Managing director Thanusak Phungdet said his company would spend Bt20 million to expand its Phuket factory, allowing it to manufacture pools with new designs.This will help the company to achieve sales growth of 20 per cent this year, reaching Bt600 million. Part of its strategy is a greater focus on the middle to upper markets, Thanusak said. "We believe we'll reach our target despite predictions of only slight economic growth this year, because our target customers have the purchasing power to pay for a swimming pool at home," he said. Thanusak said his company believed the market for home swimming pools would be worth Bt2 billion this year, up 15 per cent from last year. The Bt20-million investment to increase and upgrade the Phuket facility is part of a drive to meet this expansion. Adding 5,000 square metres to the plant will allow JD Pools to make new pool models. The company will also sign four more franchise contracts this year, in Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Phitsanulok and Chon Buri, adding to its current list of franchisees in Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen, as well as on Koh Samui and Koh Chang. It will also join with foreign partners to distribute its IntelPool-brand swimming-pool accessories domestically and in Vietnam, China, Australia and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Thanusak said JD Pools recently won two copyright-violation cases against French-based swimming-pool manufacturer DeJoyaux (Thailand). The Intellectual Property and International Trade Court ruled in favour of JD Pools in cases claiming trademark violation and violation of a swimming pool filter patent. However, DeJoyaux has also filed a complaint against JD Pools for allegedly violating ownership of designs for swimming-pool walls. JD Pools and DeJoyaux were previously business partners.
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