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.
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