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1 - 7 August 1999
Report on visit to Thailand
New Zealand Importers of Automobile
and
Automotive Parts and Accessories
Delegates
H. E. Mr Vikrom Koompirochana - Ambassador of Thailand to NZ
Mr John Leighton - Managing Director, Mitsubishi Motors NZ Ltd
Mr Rex Baynes - Executive Director, Automotive Parts and Accessories
Association Inc.
Mr Christopher Spoors - General Manager, Trucks NZ Ltd
Mr Christopher Allen - Managing Director, Quality Imports ( Manawatu)
Ltd
Mr Bruce Walker - Sales Marketing Manager, Griffiths Equipment
Ltd
Mr Allan Barfoot - Sales Manager, Hamal Industries Ltd
Mr Thawat Teerawat - First Secretary, Royal Thai Embassy
Sunday 1st August
The Delegates all met at Auckland International Airport and travelled
on Thai Airlines To Thailand arriving at 11.30pm local time.
A flight of some 13 hours. Accommodation was at the Siam City
Hotel in Bangkok.
Monday 2nd August
Visit the Federation of Thai Industries headed by the Chairman
Mr Tawee Butsuntorn and members of the Automotive Industry Club
and Auto Parts Industry Club. The Automotive Industry Club consists
of members of the Motor Vehicle Assembly industry The Automotive
Parts Industry Club consists of Manufacturers and suppliers to
Vehicle Assembly Industry and is similar to our own APAA.
A very constructive meeting took place and their delegates were
extremely interested in our delegation and were only too keen
to assist in helping NZ importers to source product from their
membership. We were all issued with a copy of the " Thailand
Automotive Industry Directory 1997" which lists all members
and the products they manufacture. This will serve as a very
useful tool for anyone wishing to follow up on enquiries. We
were then hosted at lunch by the Federation.
In the afternoon we met with the Minister of industry at his
office. What an experience, TV cameras met us at the door and
followed us to the lift. We were ushered through to the meeting
room and sat opposite other high powered politicians TV cameras,
photographers, Reporters everywhere and right in your face. The
minister spoke through an interpreter and welcomed us all. Our
ambassador (who is heading our delegation) replied and introduced
us one by one. We had to stand and bow our head. Their delegation
consisted of top Govt. officials for both Industry and Auto Industry.
The main question from them was why NZ would not buy Toyota Hi
Lux 1 ton utes from Thailand. John Leighton ( Man. Dir. Mitsubishi
NZ) replied by saying as there was no one on our delegation from
Toyota NZ it was inappropriate for us to offer an answer. Dinner
that night hosted by the Minister of Industry.
Tuesday 3rd
Visit to Kallawis Autoparts Industry Co. Ltd Associate Director
Preecha Ngaolertloy welcomed us to his company. This company
is the largest manufacturers of steel wheels and employs 268
staff. Their main customer base is the vehicle assembly plants
in Thailand including Toyota, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, GM, Nissan,
Hino etc. We were treated to a factory tour am I was impressed
with the quality of manufacture and general working conditions.
In the afternoon we visited Isuzu Motors Co.(Thailand ) Ltd
Yukiyasi Nakjima - Manager Marketing and Sales
Vira Rayananonda - Director and Gen. Manager
Yong Prathuangsukh - Director Factory
Chuchip Silphavite - Ass. Gen. Manager, Tri Petch Isuzu Sales
Co Ltd
A very impressive Vehicle assembly plant manufacturing with the
capacity to build 1 ton Ute 120,000 units per year and 2 ton
up trucks / 20.000 units per year. Isuzu currently enjoy 33%
of the commercial market in Thailand. 16th year consecutive No
1 in CV sales and 6th consecutive No 1 in P/up sales. They peaked
in 1996 with 129,246 vehicles but only built about 85,215. in
1997 The Asian crisis drastically affected sales through 1998
when they only built 25,717. This year they are projecting 70,000
so things are picking up slightly. They can produce a vehicle
every 2.15 minutes when at full capacity. Dinner hosted by Rapeepan
Luangaramrut.
Wednesday 4th
A courtesy visit to the office of M. R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra,
MP and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Only a short visit
where we were all introduced. The Deputy Minister welcomed us
to his country are trusted that we were having a successful trip.
In the afternoon we visited Wichien Dynamic Industry Co. Ltd
Mr Pramot Pongthong President. This company manufactures the
Narva range of lamps and also have an association with Bosch
and will be manufacturing Starter Motors and Wiper motors with
them. Currently exporting to a number companies around the world
as well as supplying the domestic market.
The factory tour was very interesting and very labour intensive.
Wichien have very sophisticated testing and measuring equipment
for their lighting and can manufacture to any standard. For their
domestic market where no standard is required they still manufacture
a quality product however there are no "E" markings
or Std. On the lamps. They also sell under the Diamond brand
and employ 269 staff, a very smart operation. Dinner Hosted by
Mr Pramot and Mr Prakitti Siripraiwan Chairman of the Auto Parts
Industry Club
Thursday 5th
A very long drive to visit Thai Summit Laemchabang Autoparts
Co Ltd Mr Chartchai Jiravicha Factory Manager TSLA is a huge
component manufacturer for the assembly industry. There are a
number of companies with in the group and collectively employ
some 5000 - 7000 staff. This varies depending on the market.
They would be down at the present time due to the economic situation.
We only toured two parts of the factory where they were manufacturing
Filters and metal componentry. Absolutely fascinating operation.
Extremely clean and tidy and very high quality. The machinery
was mind blowing. Some of the presses were huge and producing
products like floor pans dash panels etc. Very impressive.
From there we went around the corner to Summit Auto body Group
Mr Sunsurn Jurangkool President Employs a total of 2,860 staff
through seven separate companies. Four are involved in Seat and
Trim, the other 3 do body parts. They manufacture for ever vehicle
manufacturer in Thailand.
The total turnover for the group is US$124,330,000
Once again this was a hugely impressive operation and we only
got to tour a small part of it. Mainly the seat manufacture and
the body panel area. Lunch hosted by Mr Sunsurn and Mr Chartchai
from TSLA.
Following lunch we visited: Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Sittipol
Co. Ltd
Mr Asanee Kulakowit - Senior Gen. Manager
Mr Cherdchai Ruttana Arpa - Senior Gen. Manager
I believe they must have left the best until last. The Tour of
the Mitsubishi factory was just amazing. The culmination of all
the other factories products ending up here and being assembled.
The only parts not made in Thailand for the 1 ton ute and the
Lancer which were the two vehicles being assembled are the Cylinder
block, the Cylinder Head and one part of the Cam area. Everything
else was made in Thailand. One can quite understand why NZ was
only a minnow when it came to assembly. MMC employs a total of
3,329 staff in two factories and the HO. They have the capacity
to build 15,580 vehicle per month. The ability to mix and match
vehicles on the assembly line was also most interesting. That
concluded our trip.
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