Kulthorn Kirby Public Company (KKC) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. As Asean’s leading independent manufacturer of compressors for refrigerators, air conditioners and condensing units, KKC is recognised as one of Thailand’s outstanding companies.

Through strong commitment and hard work, the company has focused on producing a high-quality product range which has continued to develop over the years. The company is today building on its legacy and stepping into the future with confidence.

In the late 1970s, the Thai government wanted to develop a compressor manufacturing plant that would supply domestic refrigerator manufacturers.

This initiative led to the establishment of KKC as a joint venture between the Kulthorn Group (Thailand) and James N. Kirby of Australia.

The new company’s strong technical backing came from United States-based Tecumseh, a leading company in the design and manufacturing of compressors.

In January 1982, KKC celebrated the grand opening of its first production plant.

Within the industry, compressors are divided into five categories, which differ by size, functionality, performance and utilisation: reciprocating, rotary, scroll, screw and centrifugal.

KKC’s highly efficient manufacturing operations today include steel coil slitting, component machining, deep drawing of steel components, aluminium die-casting and electric motor manufacturing for its own compressors and other local manufacturers.

By employing a vertical integrated business model, KKC benefits from a more competitive cost structure, and air conditioning models and commercial refrigeration compressors remain key components of KKC’s product portfolio.

KKC is now able to offer increasingly larger compressors following investments made in its manufacturing operations.

The continuing dedication of the company’s 2,100 employees also ensures customer satisfaction is a priority for KKC.

With almost 70 per cent of the company’s compressor units being exported to key markets including Asia, New Zealand, Australia, the Middle East, the US and Europe, KKC has developed into a truly global player.

After 30 years of operations, KKC remains focused on providing customers with quality products and continuous support. The company’s policy of “Production with Quality and Safety” remains as true today as it did 30 years ago.

Veerasak Kositpaisal, CEO, Thai Oil

With a strong foundation built on more than 50 years of experience, Thai Oil (Thaioil) has developed into an industrial leader in Thailand. Its core oil refinery business has enabled Thaioil to become a recognised leader in the industry. As it looks towards the future, Thaioil is set to develop its legacy as a trusted company with a driven management team.

Thaioil operates a comprehensive refinery that uses advanced and efficient processing technologies to produce 275,000 barrels per day.

Its products are primarily for domestic distribution.

Expansion into petrochemical, lube base businesses, power generation and the marine transport of petroleum and petrochemical products has enabled Thaioil to strengthen its core business while continuing to benefit from its refinery’s strategic location.

Thaioil’s CEO Veerasak Kositpaisal says: “Bangkok and the surrounding regions account for 70 per cent of demand and our refinery is strategically located only 120 kilometres from Bangkok. This gives us the advantage of being in close proximity to our customer base and enables us to supply the domestic market efficiently and deliver products on time.”

Thaioil achieved Level B with its recent sustainability report published in partnership with the Global Reporting Initiative, a non-profit organisation that promotes economic, environmental and social sustainability.

“As a leading production company, safety, efficiency and environmental awareness are part of our DNA,” Kositpaisal says. “In Thailand, we contribute to the country’s development by creating partnerships with local people in the areas in which we operate. We are committed to continually working alongside local authorities and communities by providing employment opportunities and building community centres and dental clinics to ensure we help improve the quality of people’s lives in communities.”

Kositpaisal sees huge opportunities within the Asia-Pacific region. “There are 600 million people in Asean and demand for products and services is expected to increase with the establishment of the Asean Economic Community in 2015. Asean economies will grow in line with the increase of free movement of capital, skilled labour and services, and Thaioil is in a strong position to benefit from these opportunities. We have established an international footprint and we expect this to increase across the region.”

China’s continued economic engagement with Asean countries continues to be a significant catalyst for growth within the region. Since the earliest traders, Thailand and China have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship.

“Thaioil already has customers in China who purchase our chemical products for use in the important Chinese textile industry, and business opportunities between our two countries will continue to present themselves,” Kositpaisal says. “As we look towards the future, we want to be seen as one of the most competitive players in the industry and, through the work of our talented staff, we are on track to achieve our goal. As we build on the legacy of the last 50 years, we will ensure Thaioil is seen as a responsible business group with a strong desire to achieve our growth expectations.”

W. Vorathep, CEO, Thai Rubber Latex

With more than 80 per cent of its natural rubber and rubber products exported to overseas markets, Thailand is the world’s largest rubber exporter. While competition from Malaysia and Indonesia, and climatic conditions, affect the rubber industry in Thailand, one Thai company is leading the industry into the future.

In 1967, in Songkhla province in southern Thailand, Klong Ngae Rubber was established. Following alliances with Orient Rubber Latex and Thai Rubber and Latex, Thai Rubber Latex Corporation (Thaitex) was founded in 1990. The company has since developed into the world’s largest natural concentrated latex producer and supplier recording more than 150,000 tons of natural concentrated latex annually. The company has eight latex plants in the east, south and northeast of Thailand.

As demand for natural rubber grows, Thaitex bases its success on experience, expertise and strategic planning. Listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Thaitex CEO Vorathep Wongsasuthikul is confident about the future.

“We have a recognised responsibility as the biggest supplier for latex in the world,” Vorathep says. “We have a high quality product at a good price and pride ourselves on our service and strong relationships with our customers. My personal motivation to continue in this business and grow the company is based on the fact that I believe rubber is an important product for human development. Every aspect of our modern daily lives involves rubber products and Thaitex will continue to deliver high quality products.”

Thaitex has gained a solid reputation as a leading manufacturer and exporter of latex concentrate, disposable rubber gloves, extruded rubber thread, talcum-coated rubber thread and various other rubber products. The company focuses on consistency of supply, high-quality and customer service. In the past decade Thaitex has diversified its business into upstream operations, including an investment in rubber plantations across the country. This will ensure that there is abundant supply of high quality latex to its factories all year round.

The Chinese market remains important to Thaitex. “China’s economy is experiencing continued growth and with the industrial and automotive sectors continuing to expand, there is huge demand for rubber products throughout the country,” Vorathep says.

“We are seeing rising demand in China for rubber usage in the textile industry and surgical rubber glove manufacturing sectors. Fifty per cent of our products remain in the domestic market. China accounts for 50 per cent of our total overseas sales volume and we look forward to continuing to develop strong relations with our customers in China.”