Bangkok--9 Aug--124 Communications Kuron, a leading manufacturer and distributor of health, beauty and personal care appliances and products in Thailand, and Conair, the No. 1 manufacturer of personal care products in US, jointly launched “VS Sasoon Gold Series” -- the new range of VS Sassoon hairstyling appliances which employs the latest “Gold Ceramic” technology — with the aim of reaching the highest echelons of Thailand’s beauty equipment market. Mr. Norman Virut Gaw, managing director of Kuron Corporation Ltd. revealed that Kuron signed an exclusive distributorship with Conair, the authorized licensee of VS Sassoon products, in 2002. Kuron aims to build up VS Sassoon to be Thailand’s leading innovative and high-quality hair equipment brand. Kuron will achieve an astounding growth of 75% in retailing VS Sassoon appliances in Thailand in 2006 with Central Department Store as the core anchor retailer. To reach this goal, Kuron together with Conair have debuted the “VS Sassoon Gold Series” -- the new range of VS Sassoon hair-care products which employs the latest “Gold Ceramic” technology. “This is the first time that Thai ladies will have a chance to try the excellent Gold Ceramic technology. This fantastic Gold Ceramic technology was developed by Conair’s R&D team to be gentler thus ensuring shiny and silky finish. Moreover, Gold Ceramic evenly spreads the heat and has instant heat-up function with the shortest span being just 10 seconds to get hot and 60 seconds to stable at selected temperature and it is able to keep the heat in the plate longer than other materials.” Mr. Norman said. “The VS Sassoon Gold Series’ target covers teenagers and working women looking for high-quality, modern, chic and easy hairstyling products. Thus, we plan to launch a road show at major office buildings in center business district and densely populated areas to educate target consumers about the outstanding qualities of Gold Ceramic technology along with mounting advertising, public relations and other trade promotion campaigns.” Mr. Virut added. Ms. Iris Lee, Conair Far East Limited’s regional marketing director said Conair is the no. 1 manufacturer and supplier of personal-care appliances in US and VS Sassoon is one of the best known brands with unique salon heritage which Conair distributes worldwide. The Tools of VS Sassoon range of products combines master stylist Vidal Sassoon’s hair design and art with Conair Corporation’s engineering expertise in personal-care appliances. The VS Sassoon brand is well-recognized in Hong Kong and other countries in this region. AC Nielson’s research* published in January 2006 shows that VS Sassoon ranks first in terms of brand awareness registering 27% in the survey. In Thailand, Kuron has been distributing several VS Sassoon products to Thai ladies for almost 4 years now. This year Conair decided to launch the “VS Sassoon Gold Series” which employs VS Sassoon’s latest “Gold Ceramic” technology here after the successful launch in Hong Kong and other countries in the region. “Gold ceramic is very popular among Asian ladies who have very fine hair. Ceramic materials spread heat very evenly and have a flawlessly smooth surface that glides through hair for a perfect finish. Not only can it styles perfectly, it also promotes health of hair as ceramic is anti-static and anti-bacterial by nature. They are also meticulously engineered and professionally designed to ease maneuver, for example they have a swivel cord, cool tips and heat-resistant flocked exterior. VS Sassoon is the first brand to provide the most complete range of ceramic products for home users. With the state-of-art technology and our customized product features, we are confident that all Thai ladies will enjoy grooming themselves with our VS Sassoon hair styling appliances.” Ms. Lee said. “The hair equipment market grows continuously every year because consumers see the importance of good hairstyling. Hair appliance usage frequency has increased over the past decade. Research shows that today 49% of the consumers use a dryer daily while a decade ago most of the consumers used a dryer only 3-4 times a week. Research on stylers also shows that that 40% use multi-stylers daily, 15% use straighteners daily which is a big jump comparing to the once-a-while use for special occasions only 10 years ago.” Ms Lee added. There are 7 VS Sassoon tools in the Gold Series as follows: VS 9920- VS Sassoon Wet to Dry Ceramic Straightener: this straightener has Gold Ceramic coated plates and special venting system for gentle styling and moisturizing. A wet-to-dry function which enables users to immediately straighten hair right after washing it makes this product unique compared to the traditional straighteners currently available in the market. VS2026- VS Sassoon Ceramic Slim Straightener: this straightener has ?-inch Gold Ceramic-coated straightening plates. The 25 heat settings guarantee that this straightener will work with every hair type. The hinged and ergonomically-curved slim handle makes it easy to use. It is also safe with the heat-resistant flocked exterior on the upper plate. VSCHV18C- VS Sassoon Ceramic Instant Heat Hair Setter: these Gold Ceramic rollers spread and keep heat better ensuring superior result. The cool end-rings make rolling hair easy. There are 6 jumbo-size flocked rollers (38mm diameter), 6 mid-size rollers (25mm diameter) and 6 small rollers (19mm diameter) per set for different curling styles. VSCD82C- VS Sassoon Ceramic Instant Heat 32mm Iron and VSCD87C- VS Sassoon Ceramic Instant Heat 25mm Iron: these are electronic curlers with 15 heat settings and instant heat-up function that create and define healthy curls. Both models have a cool tip and a swivel cord which make them easier to maneuver. VS9550- VS Sassoon Dual Ion Shines Ceramic 2000 Watt Dryer: this dryer employs the latest Gold Ceramic heat technology which evenly distributes heat thus protecting hair from damaging hot spots while the double ionic ports release a potent dose of conditioning ions to smooth and shine hair. VS25383- VS Sassoon Dual Ion Shine Ceramic Compact 1800 Watt Dryer: this compact dryer has a Gold Ceramic-coated air outlet to protect hair from damage and its dual ionic ports emit continuous stream of ions to give hair a shiny and fully conditioned touch. Designed with a folding handle, the compact dryer fits everyone’s daily blow-drying needs. VS Sassoon Gold Series will be available at leading department stores such as all branches of Central and others such as The Mall, Robinson, Emporium, Siam Paragon as well as at nationwide outlets of Boots and Watson. For more information please visit the Kuron website at www.kuron.co.th or the VS Sassoon website at www.toolsofsassoon.com . *AC Nielson Research conducted in January 2006 in Hong Kong For more information please contact: Chaiwat Simawattana Pathomthida Phongleng Patcharavadee Julotai 124 Communications PLC Tel: 66-2 662 2266