Panasonic woos developers

Written by Writer on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

Panasonic woos developers

PITSINEE JITPLEECHEEP
Bangkok Post
Wednesday October 22, 2008

Panasonic Siew Sales (Thailand) Co is expanding sales by selling its electrical appliances and consumer electronics directly to property developers.

Visit: 5,000 A Space units outfitted so far

Hirotaka Murakami, CEO of Panasonic Group in Thailand, said the company started aggressively selling to property companies earlier this year with Areeya Property’s A Space Condominium being its first partnership.

Sales of Panasonic Siew Sales for the six months ending Sept 30 were 10.6 billion baht. Roughly seven billion baht came from audio-visual products and the remaining four billion baht from home appliances.

Of the total of 10.6 billion baht, 3% stemmed from property projects. The company expects sales from housing projects will rise to 10% in the future.

The company sold 200 million baht worth of products to Areeya to install in 5,000 condominium units this year. The number is expected to rise to 300 million baht next year.

Areeya bought televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, air-conditioners, water purifiers and water heaters from Panasonic. Visit Laohapoonrangsee, the Areeya chairman and CEO, said his company would install Panasonic products in another 2,000 A Space units next year.

Mr Murakami added that the company also negotiated with 20 property developers to use Panasonic products, including Phupatara, a luxury condo and hotel in Rayong.

To further expand its presence in the business-to-business channel, Panasonic has invited members of the Thai Real Estate Association, Thai Condominium Association and Housing Business Association to experience its new technology at Panasonic Intelligent Home 2008, to be held until Sunday at CentralWorld.