Thai giant eyes factories in Phl

Consumer products conglomerate looking to set up cosmetics line

MANILA, Philippines - Thailand’s largest consumer products conglomerate, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Co. Ltd. (Saha Group), has expressed its intention to set up manufacturing facilities in the Philippines given the country’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination.

In a recent visit to the country, Saha Group president Chantra Purnariksha said the company is eyeing investments in factories for its consumer products as it plans to expand its footprint in one of the world’s best performing economies.

“We are looking (to set up factories) for the cosmetics first. And then we will diversify to other products,” Purnariksha said.

At present, the Saha Group operates three industrial parks in Thailand covering about 2,500 acres of land. These are the Kabinburi, Sriracha and Lamphun industrial parks.

Purnariksha said the Saha Group is initially seeking a local joint venture partner to distribute its consumer products. She said the Thai conglomerate is currently in talks with four to five local companies to be distributor of its cosmetics line in the Philippines.

“Philippines is one of the most interesting markets in terms of consumer products especially cosmetics because we notice there are a lot of cosmetic products in Philippines that are imported from overseas,”  Purnariksha said.

“So first, we have sent out some of our companies to negotiate with Philippine companies. First we will try retailing then afterwards, we can set up in the near future some factories in the Philippines if plans go well here,” she added.

Purnariksha said cosmetics are currently “very powerful” products all over the world as it applies to all genders.

Aside from cosmetics, the Saha Group also manufactures and distributes leather goods, toiletries, household products, garment, electrical products, textiles, footwear, and food and beverage.

“Beside cosmetics, we are looking forward to our textile industry also. We see that garment industry in the Philippines is very beautiful so why don’t we do some supply chain with Filipino companies as well,” Purnariksha said.

The Saha Group currently has a presence in several Asean markets including Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

It has over 200 affiliated companies and over 300 factories in these markets to date, with revenue exceeding 200 billion bahts per year.