Bangkok--29 Feb--Minor Corporation's Minor Corporation's (Minor) net profit increased by 5% in 2007 to Baht 274 million despite record lows in consumer confidence, months of political uncertainty and bombs at some of Bangkok's shopping centers in early January. Although its lifestyle fashion and cosmetics, contract manufacturing and education businesses faced challenging political and economic conditions throughout the year, Minor's total sales increased by 4% to Baht 3,022 million. Minor's 18.8% stake in Minor International (MINT) provided strong support to earnings in 2007 as Minor received more dividends and equity accounted for MINT throughout the year. Minor's lifestyle brand sales and distribution business, which accounted for 38% of total 2007 revenues, experienced a 3% decrease in sales due to the challenging Thai retail environment. In 2007, Minor's core fashion brands including Esprit, Bossini, Timberland and Charles & Keith successfully handled the downturn in the Thai retail industry and posted only a 4% decrease in sales. Timberland and Charles & Keith, which were launched two years ago, combined for Baht 167 million in sales which was a 72% increase compared to 2006. Sales from the cosmetics business, which includes brands such as Red Earth, Bloom, Laneige (and Smash Box which was launched in December 2007) decreased by 3% to Baht 215 million. Minor's contract manufacturing business, which accounted for 50% of total 2007 sales, achieved a 14% YoY increase in sales and a 12% YoY increase in net operating profit. In addition to existing facilities, Minor's new factory, which began operating in 4Q04 and was built to accommodate new customers and support higher production volumes, secured new customers and operated at higher production capacities throughout 2007. In 2007, Minor equity accounted its share of profit from MINT. MINT's 2007 net profit increased by 26% YoY to Baht 1,611 million. Having increased its stake in MINT from 4.3% to 18.8% since 3Q05 by acquiring shares, Minor's investment in MINT has performed well with MINT's share price increasing by 308%. Minor Corporation (Minor) is a leading distributor of international lifestyle brands in Thailand focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics and education. Its brands include Esprit, Red Earth, Bossini, Timberland, Charles & Keith, Bloom, Laneige, Smash Box, Tumi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Time Life, and World Book. It owns and operates one of Thailand's leading contract manufacturers and maintains an investment portfolio of listed and private securities including a 18.8% stake in Minor International. For more information on Minor, please visit www.minornet.com Press Contacts: Pratana Manomaiphiboon / Prapharat Tangkawattana / Jim Fralick at Tel: (662) 381-5151