Interroll Thailand: Manufacturing logistical solutions

IMNA: Could you tell us a little bit about Interroll's product range.
NARIN: Interroll is one of the world leading manufacturers of key products for unit load handling systems, internal logistics and automation, and as our name implies, we make rollers that are used for conveying and other warehouse operations Our product range includes drum motors for belt conveyors, DC-powered and non-powered rollers for conveyor systems; energy-efficient flow storage modules for compact pallet and container racking systems in distribution centres; crossbelt sorters, belt curves and other userfriendly conveyor modules for cost-efficient material flow systems.

With regards to warehousing and other storage solution, we make the rollers that combine with the module racking system, such as pallet flow and pallet pushback storage systems that use gravity as a means of conveying, which means next to no power consumption. Put your product on a pallet and then put the pallet into our system and it will move itself from the loading site to the unloading site, giving the user 100% control of the first in/first out inventory and the speed of the process. Apart from ease of use and cost effective functionality, Interroll also puts a great deal of emphasis on safety within our design process, and the demand for this kind of dynamic and safe warehousing systems is very much the trend we are seeing with our customers as they seek more cost effective operation solutions.

IMNA: What's the background of the company, and how long have you been in operations?
NARIN: The company was founded in Germany in 1959 and then started their global expansion nine years later. We started operations in Asia in 1988 with setting up an office in Singapore, and then a production plant in Thailand soon followed. Our sales office in Japan was opened in 2000 and then another production facility in China in 2002, and then our long time partner in Korea was wholly incorporated into the group in early 2006. The company went public in 1997 and was listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange, which made us a truly global company. Presently, Interroll services more than 23,000 customers worldwide and has around 1,500 employees working in 28 locations throughout the world, with our parent company located in Switzerland.

IMNA: What has been the company's experience operating in the South East Asian markets?
NARIN: We opened our manufacturing plant stated in Thailand over 20 years ago with the aim of servicing our South East Asian customers more effectively, and which put us into a commanding position to start our expansion into region. We started our inroads into Vietnam about seven years ago and partnered with a local company DHI, who also manufactured conveying systems predominantly for the agricultural industry. DHI are the local distributors for Interroll here in Vietnam, and we support them not only with supplying of product, but also extensive technical support. We see Vietnam as a growth market for our product and our presence here at MTA is part of strategic plan to increase our market share in the country over the next few years.

We believe that Vietnam, with its population of over 84 million, is very similar to Thailand with regards to its industry development, and we can see that as the country's industry continues to grow, there will be an increased demand for products such as ours. With over 20 years of experience operating in Thailand, we see the knowledge and experience we gained as being directly transferable, and relevant to our operations here in Vietnam and other neighbouring countries. We sense a change occurring in Vietnam and a movement away from the more traditional to a more modern approach to business management and manufactuKD VIII Elite High