Berli Jucker Pcl, a leading trading firm controlled by billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, said on Wednesday it planned to acquire a distribution centre in Vietnam as part of its expansion drive in Southeast Asia.
Berli also aimed for sales growth of 15% this year, versus 20% in 2012, President Aswin Techajaroenvikul, Charoen's son-in-law, told reporters.
Berli, which already has operations in Vietnam and Malaysia, told the stock exchange on Tuesday its subsidiary agreed to buy a stake in Ichiban Co, a maker of tofu in Vietnam, for 140 million baht.
Berli shares have risen 40% in the past month, outperforming a 6% gain on the broad index, on expectations the company would benefit from the takeover of Fraser and Neave Ltd by Charoen and his flagship Thai Beverage Pcl.
Berli is the largest glass bottle maker in Southeast Asia with annual capacity of 1.24 million tonnes.