Ichitan to list on SET ahead of schedule

Ichitan to list on SET ahead of schedule

Ichitan Group, founded by Tan Passakornnatee, plans to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand this year, one year ahead of plan.

The country's second-largest green tea producer will use the proceeds from the listing for its future investments, said Mr Tan, the company's chief executive.

"We're now ready for listing after our net profit reached 300 million baht for the first time in 2012," Mr Tan said.

Mr Tan set up Ichitan two years ago after he sold Oishi, the pioneering green tea business company he founded, to tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

Ichitan faced a loss of 200 million baht in the first year of operation in line with its prediction of losses in the first two years, he said.

Sales revenue totalled 3.5 billion baht last year, up from the 3 billion baht initially planned.

"We aim to see total revenue of 4.5 billion baht in 2013," Mr Tan said, adding that net profit would reach 700 million baht, 100% higher than last year's figure.

To achieve the goal, he said Ichitan will invest around 40 million baht to launch Ichitan's first sister brand, Yen Yen by Ichitan _ a Chinese traditional Jab Liang drink on Feb 21.

An additional four new products under the Ichitan and Double Drink brands are also in the pipeline next month.

Up to 500 million baht has been slated for marketing activities to promote the products, he said.

Mr Tan said he believed there is still room in Thailand's green tea market, thanks to its tropical climate and spicy food.

"We aim to earn 700 million baht in revenue from Yen Yen sales this year, increasing to 1 billion baht in 2014," he said.

Mr Tan said Yen Yen is expected to drive the company's overall market share from 27% last year to 35% this year.

The country's ready-to-drink green tea market grew by 39% last year, a record high in the industry compared with other non-alcoholic segments.

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