Issue 37

 

 

Investing in new technology is the way forward for Thai industries as they look to expand into international markets.

According to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), Thailand's industrial GDP has showed an improvement compared to Q2 2014, with the manufacture of computers and electronics doing particularly well. As for the automotive industry, production for 2015 is expected to be 50-55% up for the domestic market and 45-50% for exports compared to 2014.

The boost to the automotive industry is having an impact beyond those companies specialising in the manufacture of automobiles and autoparts. Established in 2003, AIB Engineering is one such company.

“We saw how important blasting machinery would be in polishing and brushing stainless steel in automotive applications,” says Tanuch Praserttirachai, managing director of AIB. “At that time [2003], we wanted to create a blasting machine that was produced by Thais for Thais. It should be practical, durable, and competitive and meet the needs of those who use it.

“We studied the pros and cons of foreign and domestic blasting machinery in the modifications, and worked with our partner in developing the first blasting machine in Asia which is controlled by a micro-computer system. Now we have more than 40 models of blasting machines. We design the machine on demand to fit our industrial customers’ work, and export to various industrial parks in the country and abroad.”

With its expertise in design, development and manufacturing, AIB can support the automotive and shipbuilding industries as well as heavy steel. “Most of our clients are in both domestic and Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan,” says Praserttirachai.

He believes that Thai products are well-received by other countries due to the country’s reputation for high quality work, and the development of new technology.

“Machinery manufacturers in Thailand use various software programmes to assist in the design of the product,” he says. “I would say that innovation in manufacturing is quite important. If we are a manufacturer, we need to develop our products to compete on the global market.”

Praserttirachai believes that Thai businesses should be confident in their work.

“Many countries favour Thai products but they may not know us,” he says. “So it is our duty to present ourselves and grab that opportunity.

In the near future, AIB Engineering will expand its range to address customer demand. “We will expand our product line from machinery to parts,” he says. “We also have plans to expand into Vietnam.”

For more information, visit www.blastburn.com

Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi