Thai’s Siam Cement mulls add’l investment in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) is mulling the possibility of putting up a facility in the country for the production of building materials such as fiber cement board.

SCG international business director Surasak Kraiwitchaicharoen said in a roundtable discussion that the group is currently studying this investment option “The investment is under study. Of course we need to know the volume that is justified to set-up a factory or not,” he said.

He said for SCG to invest in a manufacturing facility here, it should be able to supply five million square meters (sqm) of fiber cement board in the local market.

Currently, demand for fiber cement board in the country is estimated at 30 million sqm, which is being supplied by various companies.

Kraiwitchaicharoen declined to say how much of the demand is being supplied by the SCG.

As for the amount of investment, he said, it would depend on how local market demand for its products develops.

Should SCG decide to invest in a manufacturing facility,the products to be made will not not only be for the domestic market but also exported to other Southeast Asian countries.

In the same event, SCG Paper president Roongrote Rangsiyopash said the group intends to make new investments here as it sees opportunities for its business given the improving economic conditions as well as rising consumption.

“The country has been moving forward so the consumption is better...We are confident with the growth of the country and our intention is to continue to invest,” he said.

SCG has been in the Philippines since 1993 through companies engaged in the manufacture and distribution of paper and building materials.

It currently has more than 1,000 employees through its seven subsidiaries which are United Pulp and Paper Co., Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., CPAC Monier Philippines Inc., SCG Trading Philippines Inc., Green Siam Resources Inc.,  Green Alternative Technology Specialist Inc., and SCG Marketing Inc.