Issue 24
Computer-generated imagery has been at the forefront of technological innovation in the film, TV and advertising industries. Now, it can also create high quality artworks that look like photographs.
“What intrigues me is how CGI (Computer-generated imagery) can create images that almost look like photographs,” says Surachai Puthikulangkura, founder of Illusion, a CGI studio based in Bangkok and the winner of several awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award 2014, Epica 2013, London International Awards 2013, Adfest 2013 and at the Grand Prix Cannes.
“I started my career as a graphic designer after I finished a visual design course in Japan,” explains Puthikulangkura. “What later transformed me into a retoucher was the fact that I wanted to express the images I see in my mind into photographs and [becoming a] retoucher answered that question. Back then, computer and graphic related software were considered new tools that allowed the images to be expressed clearly, and I thought retouching was an interesting career to pursue. I was in the field for 10 years.”
Issue 23
CNH Industrial Services (Thailand) Limited has an impressive portfolio of agricultural and construction equipment, vehicles and powertrain applications. Horizon Thailand spoke with Michele Lombardi, regional director of Southeast Asia and Japan.
CNH Industrial Services is one of several companies that have elected to change its hub from Singapore to the relatively lower cost city of Bangkok.
“We chose to move to Thailand because it represented a core market and a reference point for the development of the area,” explains Michele Lombardi, the regional director, Southeast Asia and Japan for CNH Industrial Services. “It has economic and political stability, which guarantees it a long term plan which it’s following.”
Lombardi has worked in Thailand since 2012, but the company he represents has been in Thailand for nine years and in Southeast Asia for 50 years.
“Thailand is a fundamental market for Southeast Asia,” adds Lombardi. “For us it represents about 15-20% of our business in the region and it’s a good base in which to grow. From here we manage the entire company efficiently.”
Issue 21
Thailand’s snack industry has seen rapid growth over the last few years, especially in biscuits and wafers, which have seen export value increase from 1.8 billion baht in 2012 to 2.2 billion baht in 2014.
The world is a fast changing place, something which applies as much to the Thai snack industry as to other sectors.
Consumers’ changing lifestyles and willingness to try new things and pay for quality products are factors contributing to the growth of the industry,” says Pramote Chaiuran, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Virgin F&B, which manufactures Thai coconut rolls.
Founded in 1998, the company is valued at some 100 million baht. While products were initially exported mainly to Japan, Hong Kong and China, recently it has turned its attention towards Taiwan, Vietnam, Germany, France, Austria, New Zealand, Australia and the UAE. It employs more than 400 staff, producing 80 tonnes of snacks per month.
Issue 22
Faced with the current trend towards healthier snacks and low-sugar food, the Thai confectionery industry is adapting to changing consumer trends by focusing on innovation and an understanding of export markets in order to manufacture quality products that match consumer demands.
As one of the leading producers and exporters of sugar, Thailand’s confectionary industry has an advantage over many competitors, says one of the country’s leading manufacturers.
“Thailand is the world’s fourth largest sugar producing country and the second biggest sugar exporter, [as such it] benefits from lower material costs,” says Jittapa Angkhasekvilai, assistant managing director, and second-generation of the founding family, of General Candy. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, in 2013 Thailand produced 100 million tonnes of sugar, exporting 7.5 million tonnes with a total revenue of 87.9 billion baht.
Founded in 1983, General Candy specialises in sweets, licorice and fruit snacks but is best known in Thailand for its heart-shaped “HartBeat” candy and love quotes on its packaging. Its main export markets are the Middle East, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India and Japan.
Angkhasekvilai believes that in addition to low costs, Thai confectionary manufacturers benefit from advanced manufacturing technology and a drive for innovation. “To keep up with changing consumer trends, our research and development team creates innovative products and consumer-preferred tastes for local, international, regional and global consumers,” she says.
Growing awareness of the health implications of an excessively sweet diet has also influenced the company’s direction. “We also take into account consumers’ concerns about health and sugar intake and have introduced a new fruit snack which is made from 100% real fruit while also adding more nutrients into candy and licorice products,” she says.
According to Angkhasekvilai, taste preferences for Thais and overseas markets differs widely, as Thai consumers prefer extremely sweet products. Licorice products sold in Thailand are mostly sugar-coated, whereas in other markets consumers prefer less sweet products that taste more like natural fruit.
Another industry trend is to ensure products meet Halal standards. “The Halal market in Thailand is separated into two kinds of products, one is for local Muslims, and the other is to showcase for exporters to Muslim countries,” says Angkhasekvilai. “Also, some people believe Halal products are cleaner than normal products.”
She believes that the forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will facilitate exporters to expand to new markets, eliminate import barriers, and also help manufacturers to lower the cost of materials and ingredients. “It will be more competitive, more challenging, but of course more fun to create new markets and expand the business,” she says. “We will have more room to do marketing activities in member countries.”
Part of the company’s marketing strategy is to attend trade fairs organised by the DITP. “We attended the fair for Thai food with the DITP in the Middle East and Myanmar,” Angkhasekvilai says. “But recently we go to international fairs by ourselves, as we have the connections in those markets already.”
For more information, visit www.generalgroup.com.
Words by Sirinuch Borsub
Issue 20
The advent of the technologically savvy Generation Y is fast changing the way financial institutions operate.
The banking world is changing. Long gone have the days when you used to queue endlessly in your local branch to gain access to your own money. Soon the ATM could become a thing of the past too. Now a single mobile wallet can bring all your financial transactions direct to your smartphone.
Developed by global software giant AMDOCS, the virtual wallet enables a mobile subscriber to buy services and goods from a network of merchants that accepts mobile payments.
“The most common usages are pre-paid recharge, bill payment and buying mobile value added services,” says Jonathan Kaftzan, Head of Product Marketing for Mobile Financial Services at Amdocs. “However, it can be used for other banking and financial services as well, such as money transfers, loans and insurance.”
Kaftzan believes this financial service will appeal to two customer groups – the unbanked and Generation Y.
The former consists of the 17% of adult Thais who do not have a formal bank account, according to Kaftzan. He believes AMDOCS’ wallet could present an attractive means to access financial services. “For them, a mobile phone is the best alternative for a bank account – it’s accessible, convenient, affordable and secure,” he says.
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