JWD Infologistics (SET: JWD), which has become an SET-listed firm on 29 September 2015, is building general and cold chain warehouses in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos to cater to demands in the growing food retail markets there, and seeks to secure leadership in Asean’s logistics industry. It is looking to form partnerships to expand its business and is confident that the AEC introduction will help raise the level of demand for logistics services.
Mr Charvanin Bunditkitsada, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Executive Officer of JWD Infologistics Public Company Limited (SET: JWD), a leading supplier of a full range of land-based logistics services, expressed confidence of a warm welcome of its 120,000,000 listed shares of stock (par value: THB 0.50), which has become tradable on the stock market under the ticker symbol “JWD” on 29 September 2015, following the highly successful initial public offering, at the subscription price of THB 11 each, between 21 and 23 September 2015.
JWD has been in the logistics business for more than 35 years. Its five business segments include 1) warehousing and management of general and dangerous goods, automobiles and parts and goods requiring cold storage; 2) inland and cross-border transportation of goods; 3) local and international removal for individual and corporate clients; and 5) other services (i.e. building and warehouse rental and information technology system development). Its strength lies in a 30-year concession that makes it the exclusive supplier of warehousing and management services for dangerous goods at Laem Chabang seaport. All inbound and outbound dangerous goods at the port must be processed through its warehouse.
The funds raised from the IPO will be used to finance construction of warehouses both domestically and internationally. Any balance will be utilised as the company’s working capital. JWD is building general warehouses and cold chain warehouses, which occupy an aggregate area of 6,490sq.m., in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, to respond to demands from the growing food retail markets. In Thailand, it has renovated its existing warehouse at Laem Chabang port to become a 9,000sq.m. containerised warehouse and distribution centre and built a 6,000sq.m. warehouse and distribution centre for separation and loading of dangerous goods onto small trucks, both of which are expected to begin commercial operation in Q1/16.
“We have developed the know-hows and gained practical experiences for more than 35 years. We have a competitive edge, thanks to our ability to develop and employ warehouse management software to ensure maximum efficiency. We can also become a leading player in the Asean region, as we are investing in warehouse properties in neighbouring countries and exploring the opportunities to establish equity partnerships or to execute merger and acquisition transactions as a way to enable us to achieve our goals,” said he.
Mr Manpong Senanarong, Managing Director of Kasikorn Securities Public Company Limited, JWD’s Financial Advisor and Lead Underwriter, noted that JWD is a company with strong fundamentals and a firm plan to invest internationally, especially in general warehouses and cold chain warehouses in the emerging markets of Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, where a large number of both Thai and non-Thai business firms have established manufacturing bases and require professional logistics partners to meet their warehousing and delivery needs with speed and efficiency.
JWD’s performances over the past three years (2012-14) demonstrate robust growths, with its total revenue jumping from THB 1.675 billion to THB 2.1148 billion and THB 2.2839 billion, successively. The company’s total revenue over the first half of 2015 hit THB 1.1726 billion, a 19.91% year-on-year rise. Its interest-bearing debt ratio (as of 30 June 2015) is at a modest level of 1.27, which shows the company’s operating efficiency.
“JWD can offer decent returns to investors in the long run. Now in the initial phase of regional expansion, it enjoys a good opportunity to achieve healthy growths going forward. Especially, the introduction of the 10-country Asean Economic Community, or AEC, this yearend will lead to more investments for manufacturing expansion in the region and will contribute to considerable growths in logistics business. Moreover, JWD has expertise in serving clients with sophisticated business structures, another competitive advantage enjoyed by this firm,” stated he.