In 9M/2009, companies listed on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) posted aggregate net profits of THB 323.94 billion (approx. USD9.76 billion) and total sales of THB4.50 trillion (approx. USD135.77 billion), while Q3/2009 performance recorded an increase of 24% over the same period last year. The top three industry groups were, in descending order of profitability, Resources, Financials, and Property and Construction Industry Groups. The top five firms, in descending order of profitability were PTT, SCC, PTTEP, SCB, and BBL.
As of September 30, 466 of 500 SET-listed companies, including 25 property funds, had reported their operating results for 9M/2009, with aggregate net profits of THB323.94 billion (approx. USD9.76 billion), a 17% drop year-on-year (y-o-y). Among those which submitted their reports, 353 companies posted net profits, while 113 reported net losses - a 76:24 ratio. Total net profits in Q3/2009 were THB115.10 billion (approx. USD3.47 billion), a 24% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase, revealed SET President Patareeya Benjapolchai.
“If we look at the overview picture of SET-listed firms’ quarterly performance from Q1/2009-Q3/2009, it shows continual improvement in their operating performance. The total net profit in Q2/2009 was at THB124.20 billion (approx. USD3.74 billion), a 51% increase over Q1/2009’s net profit of THB82.46 billion (approx. USD2.48 billion). The operating performance decreased slightly in Q3/2009, which recorded a total net profit of THB115.11 billion (approx USD3.47 billion), 7% down over Q2/2009.
“Meanwhile, SET-listed firms recorded a consistent rise in total sales. Total sales in Q2/2009 increased 12% over those of Q1/2009, while Q3/2009 sales increased 9% over those of Q2/2009. This record shows the strength and potential of listed companies even though they had to confront with economic crisis,” noted Ms. Patareeya.
SET100 Index companies’ Q3/2009 net profits was at THB97.30 billion (approx. USD2.93 billion), or a 22% increase y-o-y, while 9M/2009 net profits was at THB287.56 billion (approx. USD8.66 billion), accounting for 89% of total net profits of SET-listed firms, or a 15% decrease (y-o-y), with total sales dropping by 24%. Meanwhile, cost of sales recorded a 27% drop, resulting in an increase in gross profit margin to 20%, from 17%.
The top five most profitable stocks, in descending order, were PTT PCL (PTT), The Siam Cement PCL (SCC).PTT Exploration and Production PCL (PTTEP), The Siam Commercial Bank PCL (SCB), and Bangkok Bank PCL (BBL).
The 448 listed firms in the eight industry groups (excluding companies in the non-compliance and non-performing groups) saw total net profit in 9M/2009 of THB323.41 billion (approx. USD9.75 billion), a 17% decrease y-o-y. The operating performance in Q3/2009 showed the net profit of THB114.27 (approx. USD3.44 billion), a 23% increase y-o-y. The Resources, Financials and Property and Construction are the industry groups with the highest net profit.
In order of descending net profitability, the industry groups’ 9M/2009 results are as follows:
1. Resources Industry Group: (consisting of the Energy and Utilities and Mining sectors) This group’s combined net profit was THB129.20 billion (approx. USD3.90 billion), a 16% drop y-o-y. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 75% increase over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB40.04 billion (approx. USD1.20 billion)
2. Financial Industry Group: (consisting of the Banking, Finance and Securities and Insurance sectors) This group’s combined net profit was THB76.08 billion (approx. USD2.30 billion), a 4 % decrease y-o-y. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 10% increase over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB28.39 billion (approx. USD855.49 million)
3. Property and Construction Industry Group: (consisting of the Property Development and Construction Materials sectors, plus Property Funds) This group’s combined net profit was THB46.52 billion (approx. USD1.40 billion), a y-o-y increase of 3%. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 39% increase over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB17.75 billion (approx. USD534.82 million)
4. Technology Industry Group: (consisting of the Information and Communication Technology and Electronic Components sectors) These firms’ combined net profit was THB30.15 billion (approx. USD908.37 million), a y-o-y decrease of 18%. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 5% increase over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB10.35 billion (approx. USD311.99 million)
5. Agro and Food Industry Group: (consisting of the Food and Beverage and Agribusiness sectors). This group’s net profit was THB21.15 billion (approx. 637.21 million), a 32% increase y-o-y. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 48% increase over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB8.65 billion (approx. USD260.73 million).
6. Services Industry Group: (consisting of the Commerce, Health Care Services, Media and Publishing, Professional Services, Tourism and Leisure, and Transportation and Logistics sectors). This group posted a combined net profit of THB17.09 billion (approx. 514.99 million), a decrease of 7% over 9M/2008. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 65 % decrease over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB2.60 billion (approx. USD77.41 million)
7. Consumer Products Industry Group: (consisting of Fashion, Home and Office Products, Personal Products and Pharmaceuticals sectors) This group posted a net profit of THB 3.64 billion (approx. USD 109.74 million), a y-o-y decrease of 12%. Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 3 % increase over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB1.34 billion (approx. USD40.50 million)
8. Industrials Industry Group: (consisting of the Automotive, Industrial Materials and Machinery, Packaging, Paper and Printing Materials and Petrochemicals and Chemicals sectors) This group’s combined net loss amounted to THB405 million (approx. USD12.20 million), a decrease y-o-y, which recorded net profit of THB38.16 billion (approx. USD1.15 billion). Meanwhile, Q3/2009 net profit recorded a 25 % decrease over Q3/2008, which recorded net profit of THB5.15 billion (approx. USD155.09 million)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Kitchenware-maker sees Afta export boost
Satien Stainless Steel, manufacturer of Zebra stainless-steel kitchenware, says it will take advantage of the Asean Free Trade Agreement to increase its export value next year.
"I foresee Afta as a positive factor for my business, as Zebra cancompete in the world market and increase vevenue from the export market," said vice chief executive Ekachai Youngvanich.
However, he said export revenue might not rise sharply, because other Asean countries had measures to protect their local businesses. The baht is also expected to continue fluctuating, and Thai products might lose competitiveness to their rivals because of this.
The company targets increasing the export proportion of its revenue next year by 5-10 per cent, from 30 per cent now, thanks to advantages arising from Afta and plant expansion.The company's major export markets are in Southeast Asia: the Philippines, Indonesia,Singapore and Vietnam, It will expand to new markets in areas including Africa next year, because of the huge potential for growth.
Satien Stainless Steel is spending Bt200 milliion to expand its existing plant by 10,000 square metres. This will boost production capacity 10-15 per cent from the current 6,000 tonnes per year. It expects to run at the new full capacity by the middle of next year.
Ekachai said that although other kitchenware brands could enter the Thai market, Zebra was not worried about competition from international brands. Most of them are targeted at the low end of the market, while Zebra is strong in the premium market.
In Thailand, the company plans to expand into the catering market, in order to widen its clients from hotels and restaurants. Caterers currently provide only 5 per cent of company revenue.
Ekachai said Zebra would set up a sales team to boost sales in this segment.
"I foresee Afta as a positive factor for my business, as Zebra cancompete in the world market and increase vevenue from the export market," said vice chief executive Ekachai Youngvanich.
However, he said export revenue might not rise sharply, because other Asean countries had measures to protect their local businesses. The baht is also expected to continue fluctuating, and Thai products might lose competitiveness to their rivals because of this.
The company targets increasing the export proportion of its revenue next year by 5-10 per cent, from 30 per cent now, thanks to advantages arising from Afta and plant expansion.The company's major export markets are in Southeast Asia: the Philippines, Indonesia,Singapore and Vietnam, It will expand to new markets in areas including Africa next year, because of the huge potential for growth.
Satien Stainless Steel is spending Bt200 milliion to expand its existing plant by 10,000 square metres. This will boost production capacity 10-15 per cent from the current 6,000 tonnes per year. It expects to run at the new full capacity by the middle of next year.
Ekachai said that although other kitchenware brands could enter the Thai market, Zebra was not worried about competition from international brands. Most of them are targeted at the low end of the market, while Zebra is strong in the premium market.
In Thailand, the company plans to expand into the catering market, in order to widen its clients from hotels and restaurants. Caterers currently provide only 5 per cent of company revenue.
Ekachai said Zebra would set up a sales team to boost sales in this segment.
Makeover for M&S as profits stay flat
Marks and Spencer will begin selling grocery and household products featuring top brand names across all of its stores in Britain alongside its ownlabelled goods.
Alongside news of flat first-half profits,Marks and Spencer said it would break with tradition and start selling products such as Coca-Cola fizzy drinks, Kelloggs cereals and Persil washing powder in a bid to improve sales.
"Marks & Spencer announces today that it is to sell a selected range of around 400 branded grocery and household products in all of its UK stores," the company said in a statement.
Company chairman Stuart Rose said the change would make it "so much more convenient" for customers to purchase their goods in just one shop.
The announcement comes as M&S said net profits rose just half-a-percent to ฃ224.3 million during the first six months of its financial year.
Alongside news of flat first-half profits,Marks and Spencer said it would break with tradition and start selling products such as Coca-Cola fizzy drinks, Kelloggs cereals and Persil washing powder in a bid to improve sales.
"Marks & Spencer announces today that it is to sell a selected range of around 400 branded grocery and household products in all of its UK stores," the company said in a statement.
Company chairman Stuart Rose said the change would make it "so much more convenient" for customers to purchase their goods in just one shop.
The announcement comes as M&S said net profits rose just half-a-percent to ฃ224.3 million during the first six months of its financial year.
Johnson & Johnson to tighten belt
Johnson & Johnson said on Tuesday it would trim layers of management, cut thousands of jobs, and set other restructuring moves in order to save up to $900 million next year.
The New Jersey-based company said the cuts would affect 6 to 7% of its global workforce of roughly 118,700 workers,or potentially more than 8,000 jobs.
The lay-offs will prompt a restructuring charge of up to $1.3 billion pretax in the fourth quarter. Still, the company confirmed adjusted profit guidance between $4.54 and $4.59 per share for 2009.
Johnson & Johnson plans to simplify its business structure and projects that it will save between $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion annually after the restructuring is complete in 2011.
The company, the world's most diversified health-products maker, saw its revenue fall 5% in the third quarter as intensifying generic competition slashed sales of about a half-dozen of its prescription drugs, including the schizophrenia drug Risperdal and the epilepsy treatment Topamax.
Chairman and CEO William C. Weldon said the moves were meant to position the company for long-term growth in an evolving, and sometimes turbulent,market.
"These types of changes are difficult under any circumstances, and will have a very personal impact on people who have been dedicated to the mission of Johnson & Johnson," he said."We recognise their contributions to the achievements of our business, and are committed to treating them fairly and with respect throughout this process."
The new restructuring programme comes on the heels of management's decision to reorganise its comprehensive care business in August. That unit was created under a 2008 restructuring programme with the goal of boosting sales,though sales were down during the first half of 2009. The unit makes medical devices and tests.
"When you look at the total economic environment, I don't think anybody knows what's going to happen," Weldon said."But nobody expects it to come back tomorrow."
He said the move was based on a broad, global view of the changing healthcare industry, taking into account national and international markets. As for health care reform, management has said it needs more clarity on what any future plan could look like before assessing a more concrete impact on the business."The restructuring programme is also not a move to centralise J&J's operations," Weldon added.
"We're trying to make sure we've really set ourselves up for the future," he said."We have such a rich portfolio that we have to make sure we have the resources to invest."
The New Jersey-based company said the cuts would affect 6 to 7% of its global workforce of roughly 118,700 workers,or potentially more than 8,000 jobs.
The lay-offs will prompt a restructuring charge of up to $1.3 billion pretax in the fourth quarter. Still, the company confirmed adjusted profit guidance between $4.54 and $4.59 per share for 2009.
Johnson & Johnson plans to simplify its business structure and projects that it will save between $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion annually after the restructuring is complete in 2011.
The company, the world's most diversified health-products maker, saw its revenue fall 5% in the third quarter as intensifying generic competition slashed sales of about a half-dozen of its prescription drugs, including the schizophrenia drug Risperdal and the epilepsy treatment Topamax.
Chairman and CEO William C. Weldon said the moves were meant to position the company for long-term growth in an evolving, and sometimes turbulent,market.
"These types of changes are difficult under any circumstances, and will have a very personal impact on people who have been dedicated to the mission of Johnson & Johnson," he said."We recognise their contributions to the achievements of our business, and are committed to treating them fairly and with respect throughout this process."
The new restructuring programme comes on the heels of management's decision to reorganise its comprehensive care business in August. That unit was created under a 2008 restructuring programme with the goal of boosting sales,though sales were down during the first half of 2009. The unit makes medical devices and tests.
"When you look at the total economic environment, I don't think anybody knows what's going to happen," Weldon said."But nobody expects it to come back tomorrow."
He said the move was based on a broad, global view of the changing healthcare industry, taking into account national and international markets. As for health care reform, management has said it needs more clarity on what any future plan could look like before assessing a more concrete impact on the business."The restructuring programme is also not a move to centralise J&J's operations," Weldon added.
"We're trying to make sure we've really set ourselves up for the future," he said."We have such a rich portfolio that we have to make sure we have the resources to invest."
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Magnificent seven
In the most important, most revered event since the invention of the brontosaurus trap,Microsoft shipped the most incredibly fabulous operating system ever made; the release of Windows 7 also spurred a new generation of personal computers of all sizes at prices well below last month's offers.The top reason Windows 7 does not suck: There is no registered website called Windows7Sucks.com
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Longer-lasting colour
Time for a new hair hue? Mahogany, midnight blue or brilliant blonde, whatever the tint, fetching tresses need specially formulated products to help preserve colour vibrancy and radiance, while helping to repair any damage caused by chemical processing.
Repeated washing, sun exposure and environmental factors also fade hair colour. For longer-lasting colour, Kiehl's introduces the Sunflower Color Preserving hair care collection with sunflower seed oil, which contains high levels of vitamins B and E, essential fatty acids and a UV-protective filter.
Native Americans used the oil on the hair to add shine, make it more manageable and counteract dryness. This natural ingredient conditions and moisturises dry hair shafts and provides an antifade barrier, while enhancing the shine.
Kiehl's, founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village in 1851, came to Bangkok two years ago and its freestanding stores offer an extensive line of skin and hair care formulations.Celebrating its second anniversary, Kiehl's Loves Giving Back campaign includes adjusting the prices of best-selling products to thank its customers.
The environmental-friendly brand also encourages recycling,and customers can bring Kiehl's shampoo and other plastic bottles back to the store to contribute to a special art project, which will be unveiled this Christmas.RT
Tips for colour-treated hair
After hair colouring, wait at least one full day to shampoo your hair. This will help allow the hair shaft time to repair itself from the treatment.2With lukewarm water, shampoo gently with a product for colourtreated hair. Avoid using hot water,which will open the hair's cuticle and allow the release of colour molecules from the cortex.3Gently blot-dry wet hair to minimise damage. Try to minimise the use of heated styling tools because heat opens the cuticle.4Use a colour-preserving hair care line that contains mild surfactants, moisturising ingredients and UV protection. When out in the sun, cover your hair with a tightlywoven hat or scarf. Not only can sun exposure break down colour molecules, it can also dry out and damage the hair shaft, making hair colour look dull.5Using a leave-in conditioner between shampoos helps seal the cuticle and protect from environmental aggression, while applying a moisturising treatment at least twice a month helps maintain the general health, condition and shine of the hair.6Before swimming in a chlorinated pool, always wet hair with non-chlorinated water first.Chemically-treated hair is more absorbent and water will help "fill"the hair shaft, making less room for the absorption of the chlorine. In addition to drying out and dulling hair color, chlorine can create a greenish cast in lighter hair.
Repeated washing, sun exposure and environmental factors also fade hair colour. For longer-lasting colour, Kiehl's introduces the Sunflower Color Preserving hair care collection with sunflower seed oil, which contains high levels of vitamins B and E, essential fatty acids and a UV-protective filter.
Native Americans used the oil on the hair to add shine, make it more manageable and counteract dryness. This natural ingredient conditions and moisturises dry hair shafts and provides an antifade barrier, while enhancing the shine.
Kiehl's, founded as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village in 1851, came to Bangkok two years ago and its freestanding stores offer an extensive line of skin and hair care formulations.Celebrating its second anniversary, Kiehl's Loves Giving Back campaign includes adjusting the prices of best-selling products to thank its customers.
The environmental-friendly brand also encourages recycling,and customers can bring Kiehl's shampoo and other plastic bottles back to the store to contribute to a special art project, which will be unveiled this Christmas.RT
Tips for colour-treated hair
After hair colouring, wait at least one full day to shampoo your hair. This will help allow the hair shaft time to repair itself from the treatment.2With lukewarm water, shampoo gently with a product for colourtreated hair. Avoid using hot water,which will open the hair's cuticle and allow the release of colour molecules from the cortex.3Gently blot-dry wet hair to minimise damage. Try to minimise the use of heated styling tools because heat opens the cuticle.4Use a colour-preserving hair care line that contains mild surfactants, moisturising ingredients and UV protection. When out in the sun, cover your hair with a tightlywoven hat or scarf. Not only can sun exposure break down colour molecules, it can also dry out and damage the hair shaft, making hair colour look dull.5Using a leave-in conditioner between shampoos helps seal the cuticle and protect from environmental aggression, while applying a moisturising treatment at least twice a month helps maintain the general health, condition and shine of the hair.6Before swimming in a chlorinated pool, always wet hair with non-chlorinated water first.Chemically-treated hair is more absorbent and water will help "fill"the hair shaft, making less room for the absorption of the chlorine. In addition to drying out and dulling hair color, chlorine can create a greenish cast in lighter hair.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
BERGAMOT-MAKER GUARANTEES RESULTS, SAYS HE HAS PERSONALLY USED IT TO TREAT CONGENITAL BALDNESS
Odinric-Thai, the market leader in hair-loss treatment products, offers a customer-satisfaction guarantee - one to which the company's owner says he can personally attest."We can guarantee customers that our product works. I myself use it to treat my congenital baldness, and members of my family use it to keep their hair healthy," said Virath Boonkarn, chief executive officer of the company, in an interview with The Nation.
The company's flagship brands include Bergamot, Presenta and Nash.
Launched as Serm Suay 77 in 1977 with registered capital of Bt1 million, the company initially focused on selling hair-beauty products. However, Virath wanted to create a business with a more sustainable income.
He thought back to his days as a salesman of hair-salon products and cosmetics. His baldness had been a major impediment to his career, robbing him of his confidence in meetings with clients.
"It is very important for anybody working in the cosmetics or beauty-salon business to look good and feel confident if they want to sell products," Virath said.
Virath looked around for products to treat baldness, focusing on items made from local herbs using local wisdom.
A doctor, a chemist and an engineer, all friends of Virath, did research on the hair loss-prevention and scalp-enriching qualities of bergamot, a citrus fruit, and other natural ingredients.
Two years later, the first product, a hair lotion, came out - after being personally tested by Virath.
"I experienced hair growth after using the formula. It convinced me to launch my first product," Virath said.
Virath has not stopped conducting research and development, and continues to upgrade his products based on feedback from clients.
Hair strength and scalp health depend on many factors, he said, such as the condition of the hair roots and excess oil, which can cause hair to fall out.
To ensure product quality, Virath set up a call centre in 1987 to gather information from and answer questions for clients. He even answers phones and dispenses advice himself.
"I have personal experience with hair loss. This, combined with the research and development we have done, helps me figure out the right solutions for customers," he said.
After six months, the products began to sell well.
A boom in the hair and scalp treatment business has seen the wide-scale opening of hair-treatment clinics offering many services, including surgery. Moreover, One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) goods developed using local wisdom and natural herbs have become very popular. Both developments have helped Odinric-Thai.
Virath distributed his products through barber shops and beauty salons. In this respect, timing was important, as the late 1970s and early 1980s saw many barbers switch from soap to using shampoo when washing customers' hair.
Virath said the company marketed its products under one brand, Bergamot, until 1997, when the regional economic crisis hit, forcing the company to launch Presenta, a lower-priced brand, in a bid to maintain market share and sales. Also, there were rumours that its major competitor planned to launch a new hair-growth product.
"We heard the rumours. We had to protect ourselves by introducing a 'fighting' brand," Virath said.
The Bt70-million investment required to launch Presenta hurt the company, however, as sales were not as high as projected.
The company began to promote Presenta again last year, seeing a business opportunity as consumers looked to spend less due to the global financial crisis. It plans to promote the product not only in Thailand but also in the Indochina market.
In addition to the purely economic factors, stress brought on by the recession could lead to hair loss in some people - a possible business opportunity upon which Virath intends to pounce. He expects to see sales increase in both the domestic and export markets.
Virath is negotiating with a potential business partner in Singapore to produce goods on an OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, basis for Odinric-Thai.
Among the company's other brands is the Nash line of cosmetics.
The flagship Bergamot brand accounts for the lion's share of sales with 80 per cent, followed by Nash with 12 percent and Presenta with the remainder. Sales of Bergamot goods have grown by an average of 10 to 20 per cent a year.
The company's flagship brands include Bergamot, Presenta and Nash.
Launched as Serm Suay 77 in 1977 with registered capital of Bt1 million, the company initially focused on selling hair-beauty products. However, Virath wanted to create a business with a more sustainable income.
He thought back to his days as a salesman of hair-salon products and cosmetics. His baldness had been a major impediment to his career, robbing him of his confidence in meetings with clients.
"It is very important for anybody working in the cosmetics or beauty-salon business to look good and feel confident if they want to sell products," Virath said.
Virath looked around for products to treat baldness, focusing on items made from local herbs using local wisdom.
A doctor, a chemist and an engineer, all friends of Virath, did research on the hair loss-prevention and scalp-enriching qualities of bergamot, a citrus fruit, and other natural ingredients.
Two years later, the first product, a hair lotion, came out - after being personally tested by Virath.
"I experienced hair growth after using the formula. It convinced me to launch my first product," Virath said.
Virath has not stopped conducting research and development, and continues to upgrade his products based on feedback from clients.
Hair strength and scalp health depend on many factors, he said, such as the condition of the hair roots and excess oil, which can cause hair to fall out.
To ensure product quality, Virath set up a call centre in 1987 to gather information from and answer questions for clients. He even answers phones and dispenses advice himself.
"I have personal experience with hair loss. This, combined with the research and development we have done, helps me figure out the right solutions for customers," he said.
After six months, the products began to sell well.
A boom in the hair and scalp treatment business has seen the wide-scale opening of hair-treatment clinics offering many services, including surgery. Moreover, One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) goods developed using local wisdom and natural herbs have become very popular. Both developments have helped Odinric-Thai.
Virath distributed his products through barber shops and beauty salons. In this respect, timing was important, as the late 1970s and early 1980s saw many barbers switch from soap to using shampoo when washing customers' hair.
Virath said the company marketed its products under one brand, Bergamot, until 1997, when the regional economic crisis hit, forcing the company to launch Presenta, a lower-priced brand, in a bid to maintain market share and sales. Also, there were rumours that its major competitor planned to launch a new hair-growth product.
"We heard the rumours. We had to protect ourselves by introducing a 'fighting' brand," Virath said.
The Bt70-million investment required to launch Presenta hurt the company, however, as sales were not as high as projected.
The company began to promote Presenta again last year, seeing a business opportunity as consumers looked to spend less due to the global financial crisis. It plans to promote the product not only in Thailand but also in the Indochina market.
In addition to the purely economic factors, stress brought on by the recession could lead to hair loss in some people - a possible business opportunity upon which Virath intends to pounce. He expects to see sales increase in both the domestic and export markets.
Virath is negotiating with a potential business partner in Singapore to produce goods on an OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, basis for Odinric-Thai.
Among the company's other brands is the Nash line of cosmetics.
The flagship Bergamot brand accounts for the lion's share of sales with 80 per cent, followed by Nash with 12 percent and Presenta with the remainder. Sales of Bergamot goods have grown by an average of 10 to 20 per cent a year.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dow hits new 11-month high as builders advance
US stocks rose on Friday as Procter & Gamble and major home builders advanced on positive brokerage comments and investors bet the economic recovery will be strong enough to sustain corporate profits.
The Dow hit a new 11-month high and capped its best week in two months as Citigroup said Procter & Gamble,maker of Tide detergent and Pampers,is poised to win market share through aggressive pricing.
Procter & Gamble's shares rose 3.2%to $57.32. The S&P consumer staples index, up 1.1%, was among the S&P 500's best-performing sectors.
"It's sort of cautious optimism. What that's doing is leading to analyst upgrades, and we're seeing analysts raising earnings estimates for both this year and for calendar 2010 fairly consistently,"said Fred Dickson, market strategist at DA Davidson & Co in Lake Oswego,Oregon.
The S&P 500 is up 58% since hitting a 12-year closing low in early March,partly because of strong second-quarter earnings and optimism that an economic recovery is gaining traction.
Home builders Toll Brothers and KB Home both were upgraded by JP Morgan Securities, which said the housing sector will continue to recover over the next 24 months and drive the current rally in home builders' stocks.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 36.28 points, or 0.37%, at 9,820.20.The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 2.81 points, or 0.26%, at 1,068.30 while the Nasdaq Composite Index was up 6.11 points, or 0.29%, at 2,132.86.
It was the market's second-straight week of gains. Last week, the Dow rose 2.24%, the S&P 500 gained 2.45% and the Nasdaq advanced 2.50%.
"Quadruple witching," the expiration and settlement of four different types of September equity futures and options contracts, seemed "fairly quiet". Mr Dickson said, though the event sometimes leads to increased volatility.
Oil company Chevron Corp also was upgraded.
Credit Suisse said Chevron looks best equipped of the major oil companies to deliver growth "over the coming cycle to 2020". The stock rose 0.9% to $72.64.
Toll Brothers shares rose 3.1% to $22.20, while KB Home's stock gained 2.6% to $20.21.
The Dow Jones US Home Construction index rose 0.7%.
On the Nasdaq, Palm Inc fell 3% to $14.01 a day after the company gave a tepid second-quarter sales forecast and said it plans to sell 16 million shares of common stock.
Volume was heavy on the New York Stock Exchange, with 2.28 billion shares changing hands, well above last year's estimated daily average of 1.49 billion,while on the Nasdaq, about 3.16 billion shares traded, also far above last year's daily average of 2.28 billion.
Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a ratio of three-to-two, while on the Nasdaq,14 stocks rose for every 13 that fell.
The Dow hit a new 11-month high and capped its best week in two months as Citigroup said Procter & Gamble,maker of Tide detergent and Pampers,is poised to win market share through aggressive pricing.
Procter & Gamble's shares rose 3.2%to $57.32. The S&P consumer staples index, up 1.1%, was among the S&P 500's best-performing sectors.
"It's sort of cautious optimism. What that's doing is leading to analyst upgrades, and we're seeing analysts raising earnings estimates for both this year and for calendar 2010 fairly consistently,"said Fred Dickson, market strategist at DA Davidson & Co in Lake Oswego,Oregon.
The S&P 500 is up 58% since hitting a 12-year closing low in early March,partly because of strong second-quarter earnings and optimism that an economic recovery is gaining traction.
Home builders Toll Brothers and KB Home both were upgraded by JP Morgan Securities, which said the housing sector will continue to recover over the next 24 months and drive the current rally in home builders' stocks.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 36.28 points, or 0.37%, at 9,820.20.The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 2.81 points, or 0.26%, at 1,068.30 while the Nasdaq Composite Index was up 6.11 points, or 0.29%, at 2,132.86.
It was the market's second-straight week of gains. Last week, the Dow rose 2.24%, the S&P 500 gained 2.45% and the Nasdaq advanced 2.50%.
"Quadruple witching," the expiration and settlement of four different types of September equity futures and options contracts, seemed "fairly quiet". Mr Dickson said, though the event sometimes leads to increased volatility.
Oil company Chevron Corp also was upgraded.
Credit Suisse said Chevron looks best equipped of the major oil companies to deliver growth "over the coming cycle to 2020". The stock rose 0.9% to $72.64.
Toll Brothers shares rose 3.1% to $22.20, while KB Home's stock gained 2.6% to $20.21.
The Dow Jones US Home Construction index rose 0.7%.
On the Nasdaq, Palm Inc fell 3% to $14.01 a day after the company gave a tepid second-quarter sales forecast and said it plans to sell 16 million shares of common stock.
Volume was heavy on the New York Stock Exchange, with 2.28 billion shares changing hands, well above last year's estimated daily average of 1.49 billion,while on the Nasdaq, about 3.16 billion shares traded, also far above last year's daily average of 2.28 billion.
Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a ratio of three-to-two, while on the Nasdaq,14 stocks rose for every 13 that fell.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Flu fears lift Lion's sales
Lion Corporation (Thailand), the producer of Kirei Kirei hand gel and foam,is reaping the benefits of the H1N1 flu scare which has seen sales of hand cleansers boom.
Sales of Kirei Kirei hand cleanser have surged since the flu outbreak due to increased hygiene concerns and attempts to prevent the disease's spread, said managing director Boonyarith Mahamontri.
"We are confident that demand will continue to grow, especially in provincial areas where rural people still rarely buy this kind of product to use in households,schools or government offices," he said.
The company cut product prices by 20% on Sept 1 to ease the financial burden on customers. A 20ml tube of gel now costs 20 baht, down from 29 baht.
It also plans to give 1 million tubes of hand cleanser to schools nationwide.Consumers can access 300,000 free sample packs at department stores and shopping complexes."By doing so, we hope our sales of Kirei Kirei hand gel will rise 20 times to 100 million baht by the end of this year, up from only 4-5 million baht last year," he said.
The overall hand cleanser market is estimated to be worth 300 million baht by year-end and 500 million next year,up from just 40 million last year.
Mr Boonyarit said the company had reduced production costs and cut expenses for promotional activities so it could pass the savings on to consumers.
Sales of Lion Corporation (Thailand)in the first seven months rose by 13%following the launch of new products such as Pao Silver Nano detergent. The company expects revenue of 9 billion baht for 2009.
Sales of Kirei Kirei hand cleanser have surged since the flu outbreak due to increased hygiene concerns and attempts to prevent the disease's spread, said managing director Boonyarith Mahamontri.
"We are confident that demand will continue to grow, especially in provincial areas where rural people still rarely buy this kind of product to use in households,schools or government offices," he said.
The company cut product prices by 20% on Sept 1 to ease the financial burden on customers. A 20ml tube of gel now costs 20 baht, down from 29 baht.
It also plans to give 1 million tubes of hand cleanser to schools nationwide.Consumers can access 300,000 free sample packs at department stores and shopping complexes."By doing so, we hope our sales of Kirei Kirei hand gel will rise 20 times to 100 million baht by the end of this year, up from only 4-5 million baht last year," he said.
The overall hand cleanser market is estimated to be worth 300 million baht by year-end and 500 million next year,up from just 40 million last year.
Mr Boonyarit said the company had reduced production costs and cut expenses for promotional activities so it could pass the savings on to consumers.
Sales of Lion Corporation (Thailand)in the first seven months rose by 13%following the launch of new products such as Pao Silver Nano detergent. The company expects revenue of 9 billion baht for 2009.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
MUNICIPALITIES TIE UP OVER WASTE
Thailand Institurte of Packaging Management for Sustainable Environment under Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has collaborated with 15 municipalities to promote the participation of households in segregating recyclables from the upstream.
FTI chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said the treatment of waste has become the country's major concern and an obstacle for sustaining the industrial sector and the local community.
"We plan to expand our collaboration to 400 municipalities by next year in order to help them save their budgetto get rid of the waste and reduce the quantity of rubbish treated in the dumping site in each area," he said.
The instite launched this project in 2006.As of July 2009, the project had gathered about 470 tonnes of recyclable rubbish from eight municipalities, which could be sold for more than Bt2.5 million.
It will also set up recyclable-waste markets where they will purchase the recyclable waste from households and industrial plants at a reasonable price.This project will take 18 months.
Apart from this project, the institute has promoted its campaign of segregation of recyclables from the upstrem in hotels and schools such as setting up a recyclable waste bank in communities and campaigns for undergraduate students to pay attention to recyclable waste bank and proper disposal or recyclabe material.
The FTI presently contributes for the operation of such projects through donations from industrial enterprises on a voluntary basis. However, the lukewarm response has resulted in limiting the pace of project expansion.
He said the public sector should encourage and support thes projects through budget subsidy or tax incentives, for example, tax deductions for donations.
FTI chairman Santi Vilassakdanont said the treatment of waste has become the country's major concern and an obstacle for sustaining the industrial sector and the local community.
"We plan to expand our collaboration to 400 municipalities by next year in order to help them save their budgetto get rid of the waste and reduce the quantity of rubbish treated in the dumping site in each area," he said.
The instite launched this project in 2006.As of July 2009, the project had gathered about 470 tonnes of recyclable rubbish from eight municipalities, which could be sold for more than Bt2.5 million.
It will also set up recyclable-waste markets where they will purchase the recyclable waste from households and industrial plants at a reasonable price.This project will take 18 months.
Apart from this project, the institute has promoted its campaign of segregation of recyclables from the upstrem in hotels and schools such as setting up a recyclable waste bank in communities and campaigns for undergraduate students to pay attention to recyclable waste bank and proper disposal or recyclabe material.
The FTI presently contributes for the operation of such projects through donations from industrial enterprises on a voluntary basis. However, the lukewarm response has resulted in limiting the pace of project expansion.
He said the public sector should encourage and support thes projects through budget subsidy or tax incentives, for example, tax deductions for donations.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Split ends offer future gains
Kao Commercial (Thailand) Co, the producer of Feather shampoo, is introducing a new shampoo segment in line with its parent firm's new strategy to drive panAsia brands across the region's markets.
Minoru Tokita, the company's president and CEO, said this year Kao Corporation, its parent firm, devised a new strategy focusing on hair-care and skincare products.
Kao Thailand has two pan-Asian brands in the beauty-care category: Biore facial care and Asience hair care products."New Essential Damage Care", a new premium hair care line for damaged hair, will be available this month.
Thailand launches the line after Japan,Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
New Essential Damage Care is meant to compete with Procter & Gamble's Pantene and Unilever's Dove.
Demand for hair cleansing and treatment products grew by 5% in 2008, while damaged care shampoo grew at 20.7%in 2008 and 26.5% in the first half of 2009.
Kao Thailand controls 4.2% of the estimated 11.8-billion-baht Thailand hair care market. The company expects the new product will drive growth of Kao Thailand's hair care products by 20%.The company will spend 150 million baht for marketing the product this year.
Shigeru Ueyama, president of Global Beauty Care Business, Premium Hair Care, at the Kao Corporation in Japan,added the product demonstrated constant growth and massive potential based on responses from customers in Japan,Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
"We are confident that our New Essential Damage Care line will likewise receive a tremendous response from Thai consumers," said Mr Ueyama.
Minoru Tokita, the company's president and CEO, said this year Kao Corporation, its parent firm, devised a new strategy focusing on hair-care and skincare products.
Kao Thailand has two pan-Asian brands in the beauty-care category: Biore facial care and Asience hair care products."New Essential Damage Care", a new premium hair care line for damaged hair, will be available this month.
Thailand launches the line after Japan,Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
New Essential Damage Care is meant to compete with Procter & Gamble's Pantene and Unilever's Dove.
Demand for hair cleansing and treatment products grew by 5% in 2008, while damaged care shampoo grew at 20.7%in 2008 and 26.5% in the first half of 2009.
Kao Thailand controls 4.2% of the estimated 11.8-billion-baht Thailand hair care market. The company expects the new product will drive growth of Kao Thailand's hair care products by 20%.The company will spend 150 million baht for marketing the product this year.
Shigeru Ueyama, president of Global Beauty Care Business, Premium Hair Care, at the Kao Corporation in Japan,added the product demonstrated constant growth and massive potential based on responses from customers in Japan,Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
"We are confident that our New Essential Damage Care line will likewise receive a tremendous response from Thai consumers," said Mr Ueyama.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Scacare maker joins Japanese
Pharmacosmet Plc, the manufacturer of the Tea Tree and Scacare personal and skin-care brands, will form a business alliance with a Japanese partner to codevelop skin-care products and market them in Japan next year.
The move will help its products to become regional brands as well as triple the company's sales to one billion baht by 2013, said managing director Sutee Ratananakin.
The company is now working with the Japanese partner, which is in the skin-care-related business, to develop personal and skin-care products exclusively for Japan. The company will endorse Tea Tree and Scacare as sub-brands to the core brand of the Japanese partner.
Pharmacosmet will handle the production of new product formulas. In the initial step, it will start producing moisturiser, facial foam and products for men.
Forming the strategic partnership is the company's major business strategy in overseas along with appointing sales agents.
"There is a huge opportunity in the Japanese market but competition is very fierce as well. But if we are successful in Japan, we will spin off our business to other international markets in the future and both products will become regional brands," Mr Sutee said.
To support future growth, the company has invested about 20 million baht to add 5,000 square metres of space at its factory in Phutthamonthon Sai 5 to produce products for export markets as well as more original equipment manufacturing (OEM) products. The sales proportion between domestic and export markets would be 60:40.
Mr Sutee said the company had restructured its organisation in terms of product portfolio, brand rejuvenation and modernisation after acquiring Pharmacosmet from the founder a few years ago.
About 10% of the Scacare product items were dropped and Tea Tree and Scacare products were reformulated with more additives.
Sales of Pharmacosmet last year were 380 million baht and are forecast to rise to 450 million baht by the end of this year. About 70% of sales came from Tea Tree and the remainder from Scacare.
The move will help its products to become regional brands as well as triple the company's sales to one billion baht by 2013, said managing director Sutee Ratananakin.
The company is now working with the Japanese partner, which is in the skin-care-related business, to develop personal and skin-care products exclusively for Japan. The company will endorse Tea Tree and Scacare as sub-brands to the core brand of the Japanese partner.
Pharmacosmet will handle the production of new product formulas. In the initial step, it will start producing moisturiser, facial foam and products for men.
Forming the strategic partnership is the company's major business strategy in overseas along with appointing sales agents.
"There is a huge opportunity in the Japanese market but competition is very fierce as well. But if we are successful in Japan, we will spin off our business to other international markets in the future and both products will become regional brands," Mr Sutee said.
To support future growth, the company has invested about 20 million baht to add 5,000 square metres of space at its factory in Phutthamonthon Sai 5 to produce products for export markets as well as more original equipment manufacturing (OEM) products. The sales proportion between domestic and export markets would be 60:40.
Mr Sutee said the company had restructured its organisation in terms of product portfolio, brand rejuvenation and modernisation after acquiring Pharmacosmet from the founder a few years ago.
About 10% of the Scacare product items were dropped and Tea Tree and Scacare products were reformulated with more additives.
Sales of Pharmacosmet last year were 380 million baht and are forecast to rise to 450 million baht by the end of this year. About 70% of sales came from Tea Tree and the remainder from Scacare.
L'Oreal lauds bone expert
Recently, Prof Dr Nateetip Krishnamra, head of the Consortium for Calcium and Bone Research (Cocab) at Mahidol University's Faculty of Science, received the "L'Ore'al Special Science Recognition in Sustainable Development" award.
The bestowing of the special acclaim took place on the occasion of L'Ore' al's 100th anniversary, and was aimed at selecting and applauding a successful Thai female scientist aged over 40 whose research contributes sustainable benefits to Thai society.
Prof Nateetip was chosen for Cocab's research work on prolactin, a protein hormone that balances calcium in the human body and performs a vital role in nursing mothers' production of milk for their babies. The team also found that prolactin stimulates intestinal calcium absorption and bone turnover and reduces the release of calcium through the urine.
The main objective of the research is "to help Thai people maintain strong bones", explained Prof Nateetip, who has been active in multidisciplinary research into calcium and bone metabolism for 30 years.
She added that a thorough understanding of prolactin may lead to new diagnoses and treatments of metabolic bone disorders. Metabolic bone diseases are among the major threats to most elderly people. It is expected that by 2020, Thailand's elderly population will number 14 million, almost double next year's figure of 7.5 million.
A related disease called osteoporosis affects people of all ages. It is a medical condition where the bones become brittle due to hormonal changes or lack of calcium or vitamin D, and is the number six cause of death among Thai people,especially women.
According to Prof Nateetip, the research covers studies of the role of prolactin and changes in calcium balance and bone turnover during human pathology.
The research also aims to develop new technology to accommodate research into calcium and bone such as electrophysiological techniques, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation.
Dr Kopr Kamnuanthip, honorary chairman of the recognition committee,said that there were two special elements to the award: It was the first time the focus was on sustainable development,and the first time the person honoured was a female scientist.
"This act of recognition is intended to encourage more women to enter the various branches of the science industry as well as to instil greater confidence in practising female scientists to continue their creative work in their career," said Dr Kopr.
The recipient has to be an acknowledged successful researcher and her research must have been published in an international journal and accepted by her professional peers, Dr Kopr said,explaining the criteria used in the judging process.
Besides being the head of Cocab, Prof Nateetip teaches at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. Prof Nateetip was a doctoral student awardee of the Prof Tab Nilanithi Foundation in 1997. She won the Faculty of Science's Best Teacher Award in 2002 and the Thailand Research Fund's Senior Research Scholar prize from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2009.
The bestowing of the special acclaim took place on the occasion of L'Ore' al's 100th anniversary, and was aimed at selecting and applauding a successful Thai female scientist aged over 40 whose research contributes sustainable benefits to Thai society.
Prof Nateetip was chosen for Cocab's research work on prolactin, a protein hormone that balances calcium in the human body and performs a vital role in nursing mothers' production of milk for their babies. The team also found that prolactin stimulates intestinal calcium absorption and bone turnover and reduces the release of calcium through the urine.
The main objective of the research is "to help Thai people maintain strong bones", explained Prof Nateetip, who has been active in multidisciplinary research into calcium and bone metabolism for 30 years.
She added that a thorough understanding of prolactin may lead to new diagnoses and treatments of metabolic bone disorders. Metabolic bone diseases are among the major threats to most elderly people. It is expected that by 2020, Thailand's elderly population will number 14 million, almost double next year's figure of 7.5 million.
A related disease called osteoporosis affects people of all ages. It is a medical condition where the bones become brittle due to hormonal changes or lack of calcium or vitamin D, and is the number six cause of death among Thai people,especially women.
According to Prof Nateetip, the research covers studies of the role of prolactin and changes in calcium balance and bone turnover during human pathology.
The research also aims to develop new technology to accommodate research into calcium and bone such as electrophysiological techniques, atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation.
Dr Kopr Kamnuanthip, honorary chairman of the recognition committee,said that there were two special elements to the award: It was the first time the focus was on sustainable development,and the first time the person honoured was a female scientist.
"This act of recognition is intended to encourage more women to enter the various branches of the science industry as well as to instil greater confidence in practising female scientists to continue their creative work in their career," said Dr Kopr.
The recipient has to be an acknowledged successful researcher and her research must have been published in an international journal and accepted by her professional peers, Dr Kopr said,explaining the criteria used in the judging process.
Besides being the head of Cocab, Prof Nateetip teaches at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University. Prof Nateetip was a doctoral student awardee of the Prof Tab Nilanithi Foundation in 1997. She won the Faculty of Science's Best Teacher Award in 2002 and the Thailand Research Fund's Senior Research Scholar prize from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2009.
TIPS ON HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN YOU
People are not products but there are ways for you to stand out
Can people be branded?
If you're like most people, you're probably faithful to at least a couple of brands. Maybe it is your favourite brand of rich and tasty ice cream or a particular shampoo that does more for your hair than any other. Certain brands command higher prices than others because they are perceived as superior.
If brands are so powerful that they can bring out such loyalty in us - the kind of loyalty that keeps us reaching into our hearts and our pocketbooks year after year - why shouldn't people be branded? Why can't we, as individuals, evoke that same kind of loyalty in our careers? In fact, think about it: If you were the "brand of choice" in your workplace, what that would it mean in terms of promotions, recognition, and higher pay?
Now, of course, I'm not suggesting that you're a product like a tub of ice cream or a bottle of shampoo. But the truth is that we are all like shampoo because just as shampoo must offer a benefit to improve your hair, you must also offer something of value in business. Otherwise, you're out of luck...or worse, out of a job. Taking charge of your personal brand at work is exactly how you become known for what you have to offer.
The good news is: Personal branding doesn't have to involve advertising yourself in a sandwich sign. It's not all about self-promotion! There are subtle ways you can become known for your greatest strengths and talents.
So, the question isn't whether people can be branded. The real question is: How do you create a personal brand that makes "YOU..." - the trademarked You - the brand of choice in your workplace?
The art of branding yourself
Becoming the brand of choice in your workplace means that your Audience is loyal to YOU... Who is your "Audience?" They are the people who can most impact your work and career. It may be your boss, your clients, or your colleagues. These are the people whose needs you must fulfil in order to set yourself apart as uniquely valuable. Just as a corporate brand must fulfil the needs of its consumers, you must figure out the needs of your audience and focus on meeting those to the best of your ability.
But how do you know that you're meeting your audience's needs and becoming their brand of choice?
In my experience as a marketer, the only way to take a corporate brand to the top is to use a proven step-by-step framework that establishes a brand's position in the marketplace. And this same proven framework works for personal branding, too.
It begins with a Personal Brand Positioning Statement that consists of the same six elements that have been used to create every top-selling corporate brand.
I have already mentioned the first two of the six elements, but what are the remaining four?
- Audience - The people who most affect your career or your job.
- Need - The problems of your audience that you must help resolve.
- Comparison - Others who could also fulfil your audience's needs, and how you can set yourself apart from them.
- Unique strengths - The talents and strengths you bring to the job that make you memorable to your audience.
- Reasons - The credentials and experience that will convince your audience that you can deliver your unique strengths.
- Brand character - The aspects of your personal brand that are unique to your personality.
These six elements fix together like a jigsaw puzzle to carefully define the personal brand you want for yourself and that can help you achieve greater success at work.
If you haven't taken the time to carefully define what you want your specific personal brand to stand for, chances are the people you most want to influence on the job aren't clear about what you stand for either.
How clear are you on who 'YOU...' are?
Have a question for the branding coach? Write to Brenda@BrendaBence.com
Brenda Bence is managing director of Brand Development Associates International. Prior to this, she spent 20 years of her career with Procter & Gamble and Bristol-Myers Squibb managing dozens of brands across four continents and 50 countries.
Can people be branded?
If you're like most people, you're probably faithful to at least a couple of brands. Maybe it is your favourite brand of rich and tasty ice cream or a particular shampoo that does more for your hair than any other. Certain brands command higher prices than others because they are perceived as superior.
If brands are so powerful that they can bring out such loyalty in us - the kind of loyalty that keeps us reaching into our hearts and our pocketbooks year after year - why shouldn't people be branded? Why can't we, as individuals, evoke that same kind of loyalty in our careers? In fact, think about it: If you were the "brand of choice" in your workplace, what that would it mean in terms of promotions, recognition, and higher pay?
Now, of course, I'm not suggesting that you're a product like a tub of ice cream or a bottle of shampoo. But the truth is that we are all like shampoo because just as shampoo must offer a benefit to improve your hair, you must also offer something of value in business. Otherwise, you're out of luck...or worse, out of a job. Taking charge of your personal brand at work is exactly how you become known for what you have to offer.
The good news is: Personal branding doesn't have to involve advertising yourself in a sandwich sign. It's not all about self-promotion! There are subtle ways you can become known for your greatest strengths and talents.
So, the question isn't whether people can be branded. The real question is: How do you create a personal brand that makes "YOU..." - the trademarked You - the brand of choice in your workplace?
The art of branding yourself
Becoming the brand of choice in your workplace means that your Audience is loyal to YOU... Who is your "Audience?" They are the people who can most impact your work and career. It may be your boss, your clients, or your colleagues. These are the people whose needs you must fulfil in order to set yourself apart as uniquely valuable. Just as a corporate brand must fulfil the needs of its consumers, you must figure out the needs of your audience and focus on meeting those to the best of your ability.
But how do you know that you're meeting your audience's needs and becoming their brand of choice?
In my experience as a marketer, the only way to take a corporate brand to the top is to use a proven step-by-step framework that establishes a brand's position in the marketplace. And this same proven framework works for personal branding, too.
It begins with a Personal Brand Positioning Statement that consists of the same six elements that have been used to create every top-selling corporate brand.
I have already mentioned the first two of the six elements, but what are the remaining four?
- Audience - The people who most affect your career or your job.
- Need - The problems of your audience that you must help resolve.
- Comparison - Others who could also fulfil your audience's needs, and how you can set yourself apart from them.
- Unique strengths - The talents and strengths you bring to the job that make you memorable to your audience.
- Reasons - The credentials and experience that will convince your audience that you can deliver your unique strengths.
- Brand character - The aspects of your personal brand that are unique to your personality.
These six elements fix together like a jigsaw puzzle to carefully define the personal brand you want for yourself and that can help you achieve greater success at work.
If you haven't taken the time to carefully define what you want your specific personal brand to stand for, chances are the people you most want to influence on the job aren't clear about what you stand for either.
How clear are you on who 'YOU...' are?
Have a question for the branding coach? Write to Brenda@BrendaBence.com
Brenda Bence is managing director of Brand Development Associates International. Prior to this, she spent 20 years of her career with Procter & Gamble and Bristol-Myers Squibb managing dozens of brands across four continents and 50 countries.
UNILEVER SECOND-QUARTER PROFIT DOWN 17 PER CENT
Unilever, the maker of Dove soap, Lipton tea and Ben & Jrrry's ice cream, reported yesterday that profit fell 17 per cent in the second quarter as its profit margins eroded amid the economic downturn.
Net profit at the consumer products giant was euro758 million (Bt37.1 billion) in the quarter, down from euro909 million in the same period a year earlier, while sales rose 1 per cent to euro10.5 billion.
The sales figure was in line with analysts' expectations.
Unilever didn't specify why its margins slid, but noted it had spent more money on advertising and suffered from higher commodity costs. Profit was also hit by euro77 million more in pension-related costs than a year earlier.
"While conditions remain difficult in many markets, I am encouraged by the return to volume growth across all regions," chief executive Paul Polman said in a statement.
Sales were up 6.6 per cent in Asia and Africa, now Unilever's largest market, 0.6 per cent in the Americas, but fell 5.1 per cent in Western Europe. Operating profits were up by 18 per cent in Asia, but fell by1 per cent in the Americas and 24 per cent in Western Europe.
"Unilever is delivering on its promise of a return to volume growth, which has come much quicker than we anticipated," said analyst Richard Withagen of SNS Securities, who has a "reduce" rating the share. He said volume growth hadn't translated to profits due to pricing weakness but "we see this as a solid performance".
Shares rose 4.3 per cent to euro19.61 in Amsterdam.
Among product lines, at Univlever's savoury and dressings arm, its largest, sales fell 5.8 per cent and operating profits were down 18 per cent.
Unilever said its Knorr soups brand had grown well in the Americas and Asia but that sales were down in Western Europe.
Overall in the US, Unilever said it had capitalised on the move to more in-home eating with successful campaigns behind Hellmann's mayonnaise, Ragu pasta sauces and Bertolli frozen meals.
Unilever's personal-care arm sales grew by 8.5 per cent and operating profit rose 6 per cent. Unilever said new product launches had helped, such as a new Dove deodorant and the Axe body spray. It also noted good growth for Suave, its value brand in the US. Ice cream and drinks sales rose 3.8 per cent but operating profits fell 8.4 per cent. Unilever didn't say why.
Net profit at the consumer products giant was euro758 million (Bt37.1 billion) in the quarter, down from euro909 million in the same period a year earlier, while sales rose 1 per cent to euro10.5 billion.
The sales figure was in line with analysts' expectations.
Unilever didn't specify why its margins slid, but noted it had spent more money on advertising and suffered from higher commodity costs. Profit was also hit by euro77 million more in pension-related costs than a year earlier.
"While conditions remain difficult in many markets, I am encouraged by the return to volume growth across all regions," chief executive Paul Polman said in a statement.
Sales were up 6.6 per cent in Asia and Africa, now Unilever's largest market, 0.6 per cent in the Americas, but fell 5.1 per cent in Western Europe. Operating profits were up by 18 per cent in Asia, but fell by1 per cent in the Americas and 24 per cent in Western Europe.
"Unilever is delivering on its promise of a return to volume growth, which has come much quicker than we anticipated," said analyst Richard Withagen of SNS Securities, who has a "reduce" rating the share. He said volume growth hadn't translated to profits due to pricing weakness but "we see this as a solid performance".
Shares rose 4.3 per cent to euro19.61 in Amsterdam.
Among product lines, at Univlever's savoury and dressings arm, its largest, sales fell 5.8 per cent and operating profits were down 18 per cent.
Unilever said its Knorr soups brand had grown well in the Americas and Asia but that sales were down in Western Europe.
Overall in the US, Unilever said it had capitalised on the move to more in-home eating with successful campaigns behind Hellmann's mayonnaise, Ragu pasta sauces and Bertolli frozen meals.
Unilever's personal-care arm sales grew by 8.5 per cent and operating profit rose 6 per cent. Unilever said new product launches had helped, such as a new Dove deodorant and the Axe body spray. It also noted good growth for Suave, its value brand in the US. Ice cream and drinks sales rose 3.8 per cent but operating profits fell 8.4 per cent. Unilever didn't say why.
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