True's expanding gateway

The second-largest gateway provider, a subsidiary of True Corp, has targeted revenue of Bt1 billion this year, up from Bt400 million last year.

The wisdom of Tommy Dewar

Dewar's White Label Scotch whisky will launch a marketing campaign called "Parachute", which reflects upon the thoughts of its founder, Tommy Dewar. The campaign, which will soon be seen in print, television and online-media ads, is expected to boost sales 30 per cent this year.

Last year, Thailand's Scotch-whisky market totalled 3.7 million cases and suffered negative growth of 15 per cent, due to a slump in the standard-whisky segment, which accounts for 75 per cent of the total market. However, the premiere and deluxe segments enjoyed growth of 25 per cent.

Since its launch in 2006, Dewar's White Label has grown to hold 80 per cent of the local on-premises market.

IT firm expects good year

Information-technology (IT) solution provider Advance Information Technology (AIT) is confident of achieving revenue of Bt3 billion this year.

CEO Siripong Oontornpan yesterday said the company was largely unaffected by rising oil prices, inflation and political turmoil. More than 80 per cent of its customers are in the state sector, and since the government's budget has been approved, state works will progress as planned.

Siripong said AIT planned to expand its customer base to Japanese companies in Thailand after seeing 2,000-3,000 plants established in Thailand with the potential to perform well.

AIT will seek new partners  in the second half of the year after forming a joint venture with a Japanese company to operate in the maintenance and service of computers and data-communications equipment.

Oishi pursues efficiency

The Oishi Group is accelerating attempts to reduce redundancy in its manufacturing processes and operations while maximising the efficiency of its workforce. It says by using the Kaisen system to achieve these goals, it hopes to avoid the need to raise its prices despite steep increases in raw-material and oil prices, labour costs and allowances.

Oishi's hot-season marketing campaign resulted in both a sales surge and a stronger image. Its beverage group enjoyed 30-per-cent sales growth, achieving revenue of Bt956 million in the three months from mid-March, he said.