Innovation, design and technology take centre stage at the Thailand Design and Innovation Expo 2015.
Designers, inventors and entrepreneurs showcased their latest products and designs at the Thailand Design and Innovation Expo (TIDE) 2015 held this September at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok.
Innovations on display ranged from medical equipment and agricultural products to high-tech designs with multiple zones for visitors and exhibitors, including the Innovation Highlight Zone, International Zone, Innovation Showcase Zone and the Design Zone.
One of the highlights of the event was the Asia Design and Innovation Conference featuring speakers from Thailand, Japan, Singapore and the Netherlands which attracted a large number of visitors keen to keep up with the latest trends in the design industry.
“Today, businesses need designers who can mix design with technology to solve problems,” said Sutirapan Sakkawatra, founder of Six Degrees of Communication, as well as a speaker at the conference. “Thai designers and innovators should aim to involve consumers in designing and developing their products as much as possible.”
A prime example of how technology can offer new solutions is the Life Saving Dot project in India, which has placed iodine patches on Hindi women’s bindis to combat iodine deficiency since early 2015.
“I was thinking how creativity can affect social change,” said Ali Shabaz, chief creative officer of Grey Group from Singapore, the initiator of the project. “I wanted to go beyond just helping brands or creating products. What’s inspiring for me is designs that not only solve problems but are also affordable, if you can achieve that, it can be appealing and accessible to people.”
At the TIDE, innovation comes hand in hand with design. 3D printing is one of the latest and most popular innovations on display following the global trend in which experts in different industries focus are using the technology in their designs due to its low costs and functionality.
Rem D. Koolhas, creative director of United Nude, who once designed high heels for Lady Gaga, says that the company is incorporating 3D-printed parts in their shoe designs.
“We can do sculptural pieces with [3D printing] like the Re-Inventing Shoes project when we worked with architects and product designers,” said Koolhas. “The project had a big impact, big success.”
In September he also collaborated with New York designer Francis Bitonti to create leather shoes with 3D heels using a selective laser sinter (SLS) machine, then plated the heels with gold.
Still, the new technology has some limitations, and the brand’s elaborate designs mean that the shoes are not suitable for everyday use.
“You can walk in [the brand’s 3D-printed shoes], you can take pictures or do stage performances in them, but that’s about it,” says Koolhas. “The [3D-printed shoes] are still produced as limited editions and sold as pieces of art.”
Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub
Thai jewelry's reputation for high quality craftsmanship is well established, but the industry needs to change in order to sustain its position in the world fashion market.
While Thailand’s gem and jewelry industry is well-known for its craftsmanship, Thai entrepreneurs should focus more on design and marketing in order to keep up with the rest of the fashion world, says a leading sector figure.
“Thailand is a world-class original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for many kinds of products including gems and jewelry, but this should be stepped up,” says Jumpol Denmekha, Deputy Director of The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT).
According to Denmekha small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute 95 to 97% of Thailand’s jewelry industry, and they need the assistance of his institute.
“GIT is aiming to support and encourage Thai entrepreneurs to be able to compete on the world market,” he says. “We provide training on design, technique and marketing [for] entrepreneurs.”
Founded in 2003, GIT is accredited by the World Jewelry Confederation and has become one of the world's leading seven laboratories, called the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee (LMHC).
“GIT has worked successfully in partnership with the DITP to leverage and build confidence in Thailand’s gems and jewelry,” says Denmekha. “One of the main missions of the GIT is to issue certificates to entrepreneurs for gems and jewelry trading. There are 4Cs to consider in issuing certificates for coloured stones – colour, carat, clarity and cut. The GIT has initiated setting the standard for colour stones because Thailand is the gemstone capital.”
Thailand is noted for the quality and cut of its gems, which are highly regarded across the globe. “Thailand is good in sourcing, cutting and designing but we need to develop marketing,” says Denmekha. “The artistic skill of Thai craftsmanship is well acknowledged as we can see that Pandora, one of the leading jewelry brands from Denmark has moved its manufacturing base to Gemopolis Industrial Estate in Thailand.”
The biggest markets for Thailand’s gems and jewelry are Hong Kong, Switzerland, the US, Cambodia and Germany, though Denmekha advises Thai producers to be aware of the ever changing global market.
“There are various factors in the changing world economy that can affect Thailand’s jewelry industry so Thai entrepreneurs need to track trends as well as find more markets to expand to,” he says. “ASEAN countries like Singapore and Malaysia are quite interesting as exports are expanding by 5 to 10% each year. Mexico, Chile and Brazil should also be considered.”
GIT has also encouraged Thai entrepreneurs to join the international stage. “We have brought our Thai team to global events in Singapore, Europe and Hong Kong to promote our Thai craftsmanship and skills,” Denmekha says.
For more information, please visit www.git.or.th
Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi
Issue 36
As the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) approaches, many companies are looking towards it to improve their export business. KRS Spicy Food is one such company.
Founded in 1977 by Napaporn Jindavaranon, KRS Spicy Food promises to deliver the finest quality Thai curry paste and authentic Thai sweet chilli sauce.
KRS was certified with the Fair Trade Standard in 2012, and was the first company in Thailand and Southeast Asia to produce Fair Trade Thai curry paste and Thai dipping sauce. Now the company is looking to expand its products and services not only locally but internally as well.
Issue 37
Key players in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industries are focusing on R&D to drive forward one of Thailand’s top industries.
Refrigeration and air-condition manufacturers are embracing new technology to gain an edge while expanding into neighbouring countries. That was the message at RHVAC 2015 held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in August.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand exported over US$4.6 billion in air-conditioners, refrigerators and parts in 2014, an increase of 9% on the previous year.
Among the 180 companies participating at RHVAC 2015 was Uni-Aire, winner of the Thailand Energy Award in July 2015 as well as the Prime Minister’s Award for Best Thai Brand in 2013. Naran Sirisantana, assistant managing director of Uni-Aire, talked to Horizon about the company’s export markets and energy-saving trends.
Issue 35
Chalermsak Karnchanawarin believes that Hazchem’s niche position within the world of logistics is vital to its success.
Logistics is key to business. According to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), the logistics sector contributes approximately 300 billion baht to the economy annually or about 3.2% of Thailand’s GDP.
One of the leading logistics companies in Thailand is Hazchem Logistics Management established in 1997 and the winner of the PM Award in 2011 as well as the Export Logistics Model Award (ELMA) Award in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
“In the beginning we focused on international logistics, like ISO Tank Container for bulk liquid transport then we expanded to warehousing and transport and distribution,” says Hazchem’s managing director, Chalermsak Karnchanawarin.
Hazchem offers a combination of logistics management and handling chemical and dangerous goods.
“All kinds of dangerous chemicals are used in different industries and we have many international clients in various industries, for example, Dupont and Bayer,” says Karnchanawarin. “We’re the only company in Thailand that’s a logistics specialist for dangerous goods.
“We’re highly committed to doing the right thing according to the Safety and Responsible Care guiding principles as I’m also the Vice Chairman of the Responsible Care Management Committee of Thailand.”
In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business, Karnchanawarin has rejected clients wishing Hazchem to transport or warehouse some highly dangerous items. “We’ve turned down items like airbag initiators as they may be unsafe for other items that are stored in the same container or warehouse,” he says.
The company also advises other companies and students on how to transport and store chemicals and dangerous goods. “From an integrated logistics provider, we’re also a technical knowledge-based service provider due to our experience in handling dangerous goods,” says Karnchanawarin, “We’ve had open house events for university students to learn about the business and create awareness on how to handle these goods.”
With more competitors entering the market, the company is adapting itself to keep up with the industry. “Some of the challenges that we are facing right now is national bidding for international oganisations,” says Karnchanawarin. “The bigger their business is, the more negotiating power they have, so we’re constantly looking for international partnerships to strengthen our network.” Currently, the company has a partnership with Singaporean company CWT to offer regional and international logistics services under CWT Chemical Logistics.
In the near future, Hazchem will expand its services into different areas. “The warehouse and distribution business is growing rapidly,” says Karnchanawarin. “We established Hazchem Transportation Management earlier this year which focuses exclusively on those services. In five years’ time we also aim to build a dangerous goods logistics complex. We also want to explore other niche logistics services such as medical transportation like blood or tissue transportation.”
For more information, visit www.hazchemlogistics.com
Words by Sirinuch Borsub
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