--1 Aug--Four Hundred “BFM” launches premium Composite Panels to penetrate the residential sector, highlighting its high safety standards, aesthetics, and 10 year warranty. The product comes with technological and value innovation. A key sponsor in the young architects contest “21st Century House”, BFM continues to strongly support Thailand’s architectural endeavors. It is confident that by the end of this year the company’s sales will grow over 30% from 2006 to 300 million Baht. Mr. Kasipan Siritham, Managing Director of BFM Co., Ltd., the importer and solely authorized distributor in Thailand of ALPOLIC/fr fire-proof Aluminum Composite Panels from Mitsubishi Chemical Functional Products Inc., (Japan) revealed that this year the company’s policy and direction is to penetrate into premium markets with premium metal finishes such as Titanium, Copper, Stainless Steel and Zinc and Aluminum finishes — Timber, Stone and Metal series.. Previously, the company worked with government mega projects and some private initiatives such as the Suvarnabhumi Airport project, renovation of the MCOT building, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration office 2, Charmchuree Square Tower of Chulalongkorn University, Central World Hotel, Vichaiyuth Hospital, Asoke Complex, Interior decoration at Impact Challenger Exhibition Hall, Siam Paragon Shopping Complex and etc. ALPOLIC/fr Fire-proof Aluminum Composite Panels is a technology of Mitsubishi Chemical Functional Products Inc., (Japan) ; the leader of fire-proof Aluminum Composite Panels, which controls the highest sales of Aluminum Composite Panels in the world totaling 10 million square meters per annum. BFM enjoys an 80 % market share in premium composite panel market for both interior and exterior applicantions with unit sales of 200 thousands square meters per annum. The reason ALPOLIC/fr has maintained leadership in the premium composite market is due to its highest safety standards, world leading quality, aesthetics, durability and a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty that its competitors cannot match. As a result, total sales last year registered at THB 240 million. Mr. Kasipan is highly confident that sales will grow over 30% to THB 300 millions this year despite negative factors affecting the economy. Besides high-rise building projects the company aims to acquire more projects targeting office buildings, shopping complexes, hotels, hospitals, convention centers, showrooms, residential and condominium projects. The products are suitable for both interior and exterior applications of new buildings and building renovations that require a differentiated and unique appearance with the benefits of safety and energy-saving construction. The company continues to apply CRM as a strategy including providing information and training for architects, designers, contractors, and project owners. The company sponsored the Association of Siamease Architects (ASA) who organized multi-disciplinary learning of trade laws and the impact on design and construction from Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with other countries. High — rise building laws, material quality standard, fire protection, safety standards and energy-saving. Later this year, BFM will sponsor a millennium home design “21st Century House Contest” for young architects. In addition, there is on-going training in various education institutions to understand the usage of Composite Panels and the importance of quality and safety in selecting its usage and the difference in value between premium aluminum composite panels and low quality products that may not pass safety standards such as locally and Chinese manufactured products. Thailand provides no high-rise building laws, no international standards applied for building and construction, penalty clause and laws enforcement. Currently, there is no government sector or any testing institutions to inspect Aluminum Composite Panel standard. Thus, many buildings may choose to use lower quality panels due to its cheaper price. Mr. Kasipan stated that he would like to see Thailand’s building codes cover Aluminum Composite Panel standards so as to increase quality and safety of usage. Presently, the company has 5 types of ALPOLIC/fr fire-proof Aluminum Composite Materials: 1. Fire-Proof Lumiflon — based fluorocarbon coated like metallic colors etc., fire-proof Aluminum Composite Materials (ACM); Timber-Series, Stone-Series and Metal-Series. 2. Fire-Proof Stainless Steel Composite Material (SCM) 3. Fire-Proof Copper Composite Material (CCM) 4. Fire-Proof Zinc Composite Material (ZCM) 5. Fire-Proof Titanium Composite Material (TCM) Currently, Fire-proof Aluminum Composite Lumiflon — based fluorocarbon coated Panel has the highest sales and market demand. Import volume is based on the size of the project. BFM has inventory of more than 20 colors to serve urgent project requirements of 40,000 square meters or more. BFM also has a new product - Aluminum Honeycomb Panel under the HIVE brand by Dongshin Engineering Corp. which has a aluminum honeycomb core. The product is light weight, durable and non-flammable due to its aluminum honeycomb core and is suitable for buildings that need to withstand high bending stress and wind pressure. For more information please contact: Khun Pakinee Dararai : 081-323-6382 or 02-362-4123-4 For more information please contact: Sitikorn Sangiumprong PR & Special Event Director Four Hundred Co.,Ltd. Tel: 02-362-4123-4, 0 2819 3823 Fax: 0 2873 6419 press 9 Mobile: 081-913-1291 Email: [email protected] Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net