Bangkok--Mar 21--SET
Siam Inter Multimedia Plc. will list its core activities, including its bookstore and radio businesses, on the Exchange in the Printing & Publishing Sector on March 22, 2005. The firm is Thailand’s largest publisher and distributor of leading licensed comic books from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan under the “Siam Inter Comics” label.
SET Executive Vice President Ms. Sopawadee Lertmanaschai announced that the SET Board of Governors has allowed the listing of Siam Inter Multimedia Pcl.’s common shares on the bourse in the Printing & Publishing Sector of the Services Industry Group, starting from March 22, 2005 onwards, using “SMM” as their trading symbol.
Siam Inter Multimedia Pcl.’s core business is publishing. It prints several licensed comic books from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, as well as from other countries. Its popular books include ‘City Hunter’ and ‘Yu-Gi-Oh’. SMM has been very successful in this business and is currently Thailand’s largest holder of licensed comic books. The market is shared by 6 big publishing houses and distributors.
In addition to publishing comic books, SMM also prints pocket books and popular Chinese action novels written by Kim Yong, Kow Leng and Huang Ei. SMM has N. Nopparat, a famous translator of Chinese action novels, working with it.
SMM also operates the “Siam Inter Book Friend” bookstores which act as its distribution channel. The SMM’s bookstore network currently has 20 branches, which will be increased to 40 within this year. As for its radio business, SMM produces the 24-hour radio program focused on sports, called “Sport Radio”. Other businesses include animation media production.
“As SMM offers a complete range of products and services, the company will maintain a competitive advantage when the comic book market and reader base expands. Therefore it should be another interesting company in the Printing & Publishing Sector of Services Industry Group,” the SET EVP said.
Siam Inter Multimedia Pcl. has THB240 mln. (approx. USD6.0 mln.) worth of paid-up capital. This is comprised of an existing 170 mln. shares and an additional 70 mln. shares in capital increase, each with a par value of THB1.00. In its initial public offering on March 10 - 11, SMM sold a total of 92.52 mln. shares (70 capital increase shares plus 22.52 mln. shares owned by the Siam Sport Syndicate Pcl.), or 38.55% of its entire issued and paid-up shares, at THB2.65. Of these IPO shares, 52.52 mln. shares were sold to the general public, 30 mln. shares to institutional investors, and the remaining 10 mln. shares to the company’s support groups.
The THB185.5 mln. (approx. USD4.64 mln.) in funds raised will be used to expand the “Siam Inter Book Friend” branch network, invest in its radio business, develop new businesses, and service SMM’s debts with financial institutions. A part of the funds will be used as working capital. Kim Eng Securities (Thailand) Pcl. is SMM’s financial advisor.
SMM’s primary source of revenue is from book distribution, which accounted for approximately 77.3% of SMM’s total sales in 2004. 16.8% of SMM’s revenues came from its radio business while 5.9% came from rental and other income. In 2004, SMM had THB59.5 mln. (approx. USD1.5 mln.) in net profits, representing a 12.1% net profit margin.
The principal shareholders of SMM are Mr. Vithoon Niruntarai Group, Ms. Anchalee Teerasin, and Muang Thai Life Insurance Co., Ltd., which hold 38.65%, 12.50%, and 8.75% of SMM’s paid-up capital respectively after the IPO. As for its dividend payment policy, SMM will pay out 50% of its net profits after corporate taxes.
For more information of Siam Inter Multimedia Pcl.,
please browse the SET’s website,
www.set.or.th, and SETTRADE.Com’s website, www.settrade.com
For more information,
please contact the Corporate Communication Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036
Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049
Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797 End.