In anticipation of high demand in the instant-retail-unit market, Daiwa plans to spend about Bt100 million to build a factory, showroom and research and development centre late this year, either in Chon Buri or nearby the site of its steel-pipe factory in Samut Prakan, Suppakit said.
The company is also planning to invest another Bt300 million-400 million to expand the annual production capacity for its galvanised steel pipe and electrical conduits from 40,000-50,000 tonnes to 80,000 tonnes, with completion scheduled for late next year.
The managing director said Daiwa was bucking the trend of the steel sector, which for the most part is struggling, as the company's sales revenue grew 40 per cent last year, while sales volume surged 100 per cent, thanks to its state-of-the art supply-chain management system that is highly responsive to customer demand.