Bangkok--10 Sep--Grayling HORIBA ABX, the French company that specialises in haematology diagnostic instruments and systems for laboratories and hospitals, has opened new offices in Bangkok. The site opening follows the company’s exceptional expansion in Thailand, where HORIBA ABX has registered 52% annual growth for the past two years. Today, 23% of the haematology diagnostic instruments marketed in Thailand are from HORIBA ABX, which positions the company in the top three in the Thai market. Moreover, HORIBA ABX ranks first in haematology systems’ mid-range segment with 37% market share. The new offices in Thailand are in their own building in Bangkok. Spread over two floors and 500 square metres, HORIBA ABX’s new home includes after-sales services, storage of imported instruments and a private, fully-equipped, training room for customers and staff. The Thailand office is now fully operational and already employs a team of 18 professionals. To mark the official opening of their new offices, HORIBA ABX president Mr. Atsushi Nakamine and other key executives flew in from Kyoto (Japan) and Montpellier (France) to join Olivier Pou, Managing Director Thailand and key Thailand customers at the official opening. The event included presentations by HORIBA ABX’s key executives and was followed by an official site opening and a festive lunch at the Hilton Millennium Hotel. HORIBA ABX’s new investment in Thailand highlights both a sign of confidence in the market and determination to increase the company’s service levels to an expanding customer base. According to Mr. Olivier Pou, Managing Director HORIBA ABX, “Quality, productivity and analysis management are high on the list of priorities for hospitals and laboratories in Thailand when choosing working tools and resources. As a result, 2005 and 2006 have been really exciting years for HORIBA ABX.” Mr. Pou also commented, “The haematology systems market in Thailand is going from strength to strength and Bangkok is emerging as a truly competitive medical hub on the international scene, making it an ideal location for HORIBA ABX’s expansion.” Notes to Editors: About HORIBA ABX Created in 1983, the French company HORIBA ABX designs, develops and distributes worldwide automated medical analysers which contribute today to the health of tomorrow. The company became a HORIBA Group subsidiary in 1996 and now relies on an international distribution network which represents the company in more than 110 countries throughout the world, either directly through 12 local teams (Europe, United States, Brazil, Thailand, China and Japan) or indirectly through more than 86 distributors. Today, the company equips over 27,000 laboratories worldwide and generates 85% of its sales through exportation. It employs more than 875 people throughout the world, including 300 in its subsidiaries with local teams. The main production site for instruments and reagents is based in Montpellier, France, near the Group's R&D center. For further media information or for an interview, please contact: Nuttaporn Tangwongsan Grayling Thailand T: 02 231 84 34 F: 02 231 81 21 [email protected]