Bangkok--14 Mar--Communication & more Diethelm Limited, the Thailand-based operation of DKSH, the leading Market Expansion Services Group of Switzerland, invests more than THB 1 billion in its new Healthcare Distribution Center located in Bang-na. The new facility is the biggest healthcare Distribution Center in Thailand, with a full service offering and leading-edge technology. The additional capacity will aid Diethelm in strengthening its position as the No. 1 in marketing and distribution of healthcare products in Thailand. Today, the Healthcare Business Unit of Diethelm Limited officially opened its new state-of-the-art Distribution Center (DC) in Bang-na that has been brought about by the investment of more than THB 1 billion. On this auspicious occasion, HRH Princess Somsawali will graciously preside over the ceremony at 17:00 hrs. The new facility is located on a 47 rai plot of land on Bangna-Trad Superhighway, 19 km from Bangkok. It is the biggest healthcare Distribution Center in Thailand, using the most advanced standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in logistics technology. It offers Diethelm’s suppliers and customers the highest level of logistics and distribution services available anywhere in the country. Diethelm Limited is the only provider of one-stop services for the pharmaceutical, consumer health and medical supplies industries in Thailand, all of which are customized to manufacturers’ specific needs. Dr. Joerg Wolle, President & CEO of DKSH Group, who flew in from Zurich headquarters for the opening, stated: “This new DC is yet another milestone in the long-term success story of continued growth and development achieved by Diethelm in Thailand, and will further strengthen the unrivalled positioning of our Healthcare business versus the competition. Today, we already operate a comprehensive network that is serving more than 40,000 hospitals, doctors, pharmacies and drugstores all across the nation.” With its 30,000 square meters storage area in the initial phase, our new distribution center can easily stock 20,000 pallets of goods. It has the potential for further expansion up to 44,000 square meters storage space, giving it a capacity to handle 35,000 pallets in total. Bernd Lepper, General Manager Business Unit Healthcare said: “We are providing the latest state-of-the-art facilities with such high-quality, standardized distribution services for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, while strictly following the GMP regulations. We are the only Healthcare company in Thailand that has invested in unique cold chain receiving facilities ensuring the cold chain products are kept in highest quality conditions at all times. The healthcare industry in Thailand will benefit strongly from this new DC.” Dr. Joerg Wolle, commented: “The new DC is a part of DKSH’s dedicated investment strategy in Thailand, with THB 1.66 billion in 2007 alone. Sales in Thailand in 2007 have grown by 8%. Worldwide, DKSH has seen double-digit sales and profitability growth in every year since 2002, with sales of THB 272 billion for 2007.” In 2008, both DKSH and Diethelm Limited are looking to continued growth, with DKSH planning further investments in Thailand. Resources will go towards investments in state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, processes and HR training, i.e. enhancing the stake in Diethelm’s most valued asset, its people. Today, Diethelm employs more than 10,000 specialists in Thailand, an increase of 20% or 2,000 new jobs created since 2002. In addition to these investments, DKSH is looking at possible acquisitions. As the general public is increasingly interested in taking greater care of their health, this trend will contribute to the continuous expansion of the healthcare industry in Thailand. In 2008, the company’s objective is to again achieve double-digit growth in sales. Bernd Lepper mentioned: “Through our services, we are aiming at helping the healthcare industry to expand its business in Thailand. Ultimately, this will result in better medical supplies for all people living in Thailand. ”Key Facts on the new Diethelm HealthcareDistribution Center. The new Diethelm Healthcare Distribution Center (DC) will be operated under International Standards that guarantee prompt response and integrity of orders placed. It is located on a 47 rai plot of land on Bangna-Trad Superhighway, 19 km from Bangkok. The center’s location close to expressways and ring roads will allow outstanding functionality and a promised on-time delivery within 24 hours to all customers in Bangkok, while customers in the provinces will receive their merchandise within 72 hours. With this expansion, Diethelm has significantly increased its capacity to provide efficient logistics services for medicines and pharmaceutical products to ensure that all customers will receive high standard services throughout the entire distribution chain. The new DC is the biggest healthcare distribution center in Thailand, using the most advanced standards of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in logistics technology. With its 30,000 square meters area in the initial phase, the facility can store no less than 20,000 pallets of goods or more than 20,000 items in 80,000 unique storage positions in 12 meter high racks. Thanks to a sophisticated air conditioning system temperatures are maintained below 25 degrees Celsius. A dedicated cold room has been built for products that require special temperature controls in the 2-8 degrees Celsius range. Moreover, the DC has a modern distribution center management concept, capable of linking SAP and Radio Frequency identification equipment, to ensure that suppliers’ inventories and customers’ orders are handled with the utmost accuracy. Profile DKSH Group DKSH is the leading Market Expansion Services Group with focus on Asia. As the term "Market Expansion Services" already suggests, DKSH helps other companies and brands to grow their business in new or existing markets. With 365 business locations in 35 countries — 15 of them in Europe and the Americas — and more than 22,000 specialized staff it is one of the top 20 Swiss companies ranked by sales and employees. In 2007, DKSH generated annual gross revenues in excess of CHF 8,700 million. The company offers any combination of sourcing, marketing, sales, distribution and after-sales services. It provides business partners with expertise as well as on-the-ground logistics based on a comprehensive network of unique size and depth. Business activities are organized into four specialized Business Units that mirror DKSH fields of expertise: Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Performance Materials and Technology. Although DKSH is a Swiss company with headquarters in Zurich, it is deeply rooted in communities all across Asia Pacific. This is because the company looks back on a more than 140 year long tradition of doing business in and with the region. Profile Diethelm Diethelm Limited is the leading Market Expansion Services Group in Thailand. It is the Thailand operation of the DKSH Group and operates four distinct and highly specialized Business Units: Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Performance Materials and Technology. With annual sales of THB 95 billion in 2007, Diethelm is among the largest companies in Thailand, serving its business partners through a comprehensive network of 72 branches in the Kingdom. It is an employer of choice for 10,000 Thai specialists. In 2006, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary in Thailand. Contact: Communication & more Ltd. Dr. Apisit, K.Kanungnit or K.Pitima Tel 02-718 3800-5 ext. 131-5 Mobile phone 089 7474503 or 081 7774452 Fax 02-720 3323 [email protected]