The company will invest Bt631.2 million to boost its annual production of washing machines to 250,000 units, dryers to 300,000 and motor gearboxes to 65,000. The Swedish-owned expansion project will employ 380 local staff and reduce imports valued at Bt2.168 billion.

Air Liquide Group buys four JVs

Air Liquide Group of France yesterday completed the purchase from Germany's Linde of four joint-venture companies that were already managed by the group in Southeast Asia.

 Air Liquide now owns 100 per cent of Soxal (its subsidiary in Singapore), Eastern Industrial Gases (its unit in Thailand) and Vietnam Industrial Gases, and 50 per cent of Brunox (its subsidiary in Brunei with a local partner).

Retail dumpers to be penalised

The Internal Trade Department is to penalise retailers for dumping goods. Director-general Siripol Yodmuangcharoen said the unfair strategy hurt suppliers, who have complained about giant retailers resorting to dumping.

Under the new regulation, retail prices should not be lower than 4 per cent above production costs and should include marketing and operational costs.

Back-to-School bargain fair

The Internal Trade Department will hold a Back-to-School bargain this month.

Skol Harnsuthivarin, secretary to the commerce minister, said yesterday that as this was a time of high financial strain on parents, the ministry would offer discounts of 10 to 40 per cent on uniforms, educational materials and other goods. It will hold the fair at Sanam Luang in Bangkok or its Nonthaburi HQ.