Bangkok--15 Aug--JWT Public Relations Manpower, the nation’s leader in employment services industry, proudly announces 18% business performance growth for the first half of the year. Whilst, preparing to adjust its business strategy to combat economic slowdown for the second half, putting emphasis on HR market and its 360 degree business strategy covering marketing and social activities. The company is confident of achieving 20% growth in revenue by the year end. Mr. Simon Matthews, Country Manager of Manpower (Thailand) Company Limited, said: “This year 1st and 2nd quarter performance reports show 18% growth, when compared to the same period last year. The majority of the revenue derived from Contract and Permanent base employment. The revenue growth is consistent with the target set at the beginning of the year and the company has experienced continuous growth for the last 10 years, despite the affects of political instability and economic slowdown this year, especially the rise in cost of living, due to higher oil price and consumer products. Nonetheless, the company has continuously assessed the situation during the two quarters, to carefully adjust the company policies and business strategies to combat the situation for the second half of the year. At the same time increasing the organization's responsiveness to the current situation as well as building its confidence of achieving the targeted revenue growth of 20% by the year end. Mr. Simon added “The overall business view for the second half of the year for the employment service industry has shown steady growth. As there are demands for personals or vacancies to be filled in industry such as Manufacture of rubber and plastic products, food and beverage, Radio and Television broadcasting communication equipments and Manufacture of chemical products; total of approximately 36.33%. 2nd ranked are the transport and retail industries; 25.54% and 3rd rank are the Real estate and business services; 11.92%. The evaluation of the labour market for the second half of the year, shows a decrease in unemployment of about 30,000 when compared to the same period last year. This contributes to current positive labour market which experienced a 10% increase in opening positions for the first half of the year. The positions that the customers need to fill are; Sales positions, Office personal, Managerial positions, Accounting, Manager/Sales and Marketing, Engineers, Packaging personals and seamstresses, etc". Mr. Simon further added that the company's business strategy for the second half of the year will focus on holistic and integrated employment solutions. The company has adjusted its strategy which will put emphasis on increasing the capabilities of corporate client services and simultaneously search for personnel who would be responsible for it. This is a value added strategy for the corporate clients by providing them with integrated employment solutions, a quick response to their needs followed up by a progess report, in order to increase customer's understanding. Moreover, there will be other labour and Human resources related activities, such as; updates of labour law, employment issues. Application will be available through the website, which has been constantly developing to make it more user friendly, road-shows in university, setting up booths in various Job Fairs, aim to provide applicants with the opportunities to look for the job that suits them. "The company also plans to increase the number of branches and expand business lines, as well as, continue with the Cross Border Recruitment campaign, the company's latest campaign in operation. The campaign's operation will be divided into two functions; 1. Opening up Thai labourers to the foreign markets - by sending Thais to work abroad. It has received over whelming response from the Middle East or UAE, the largest market in demand for foreign labour. Second running is the Asia region, particularly Taiwan and Singapore; 2. Open the opportunity for foreign labour to work in Thailand, in a form of human resource exchange program in order to respond to the market needs. Particularly in business such as Engineer/IT/Technology. In regards to Manpower's plan to increase its branches in different areas within the first half of the year, the company has been able to recruit personnel of various positions that meet with the customer's as well as the applicants requirements. This is a proof of our ability to increase the job opportunities in all industries for the job applicants. Thus, increasing their chances of finding the most suitable job. In addition, this year Manpower (Thailand) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary by providing continuous support for social activities, to give back to society, both in Thailand and abroad, with emphasis on "Human Resources" by holding firm on 4 specific issues that shape the company's social responsibility agendas, which are: Workforce Development, Disaster Recovery, Reaching Out to Refugees, Combating Human Trafficking. Manpower has provided continuous financial support to the Missing Children Statistic Centre-The Mirror foundation. Moreover, Manpower Inc. - the parent company, has also provided support to the Nine Million Org project, to help refugees, mostly in the northern part of Thailand. In addition, Manpower - China has initiated and set up the Hope School Project to help the earthquake victims in Sichuan - China. By collecting donations from Manpower's employees in more than 80 countries all over the world, by which the parent Manpower company will double the amount donated, to help build schools in the affected areas". Mr. Jeff Joerres - Manpower Inc. Chairman and CEO proudly announced the company's latest award "Top Companies for Women" from Pink magazine - an American magazine. The award is given to the company that recognizes the prominent role of women in the organization. This is shortly after Manpower had just been awarded "The 2008 World's Most Ethical Companies" by FORBES magazine and the Ethisphere Institute, two months ago. In addition, Mr. Jeff also announced Manpower's worldwide revenue for the first half of the year, to be more than US$11,300 million - a 18% increase compared to the same period of last year. The success was achieved by a good balance of business operation management by Manpower worldwide, who are determined to adjust to the world's constant changes in Human resources Management. For more information, please contact JWT Public Relations, JWT Thailand: Khun Wongchan Tangsongsak (Chan) T. 02-204-8221 M. 089-127-2089 Khun Porntip Wiriyakitpattana (Bee) T. 02-204-8210 M. 086-813-1981