JWD InfoLogistics Co, a logistics provider for food and cold-chain goods, is tapping into regional growth by expanding its reach in neighbouring countries.
Chief executive Charvanin Bunditkitsada said once the Asean Economic Community (AEC) fully took off, goods transport would be more containerised and grow in line with the substantial growth of the whole region.
"While Thailand will continue to grow, it will be at a slower pace compared with the size of its economy, so JWD's revenue growth will increasingly be from Asean," he said.
JWD estimates it 2014 revenue will reach 2.9 billion baht, up from 2.6 billion last year.
Over the next five years, its target revenue is 5.5 billion baht, with 20% from international operations.
JWD Asia managing director Tanate Piriyothinkul said the company would expand in two phases.
The first phase will begin operation in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia early next year with an investment budget of 250 million baht, while the second phase will start in Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia in 2016 with investment of 400-500 million.
Investment will be in facilities, assets and logistics systems.
"Early investment will be in warehousing through joint ventures and partnerships. But once the AEC is fully open, border warehouses will play a less important role since products can just pass through, so a domestic hub will be more crucial for the operation," Mr Tanate said.
Mr Charvanin said JWD had chosen Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia to start its expansion because competition remained low, with a higher chance of securing long-term partners.
Those countries have no integrated logistic companies or cold-chain operators, he said.
JWD will initially focus on fast-growing food and cold-chain services. It is partnering with RMA Group, Swensen's and Dairy Queen in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
"In three to five years, JWD will begin introducing hazardous goods and automobile services, as foreign investment has only begun to enter these countries, so there is a delay in projects," said Mr Tanate.
Mr Charvanin said global logistics operators were reluctant to provide services for the automotive and dangerous materials sectors, as these required a huge investment.
JWD plans to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand next year to raise capital for foreign expansion.