Down under or Thai? Aussie mum trades Oz for Land of Smiles

[bbradsby]

In order to strategically position themselves for the growing auto/bike manf sector in Thailand, as well as to position themselves for the AEC trade region and the growing Asia market in general, Ohlins have gone public about opening a factory in LoS.

YES and it [biking in thailand] just keeps on getting better!

[Richard-BKK]

Öhlins Racing establishes Öhlins Asia Co.,Ltd in Thailand

5/31/2012

After 36 years of successful growth Öhlins Racing AB establishes a subsidiary in Thailand, Öhlins Asia Co.,Ltd.

Located in Amata Nakorn southeast of Bangkok this new company and its facility will be a complete Öhlins operation including R&D, production, procurement, sales and marketing and racing support specifically aimed at the Southeast Asian market.

“This is another important step for Öhlins Racing,” founder and president Kenth Öhlin explains. “The Asian market is growing rapidly and we want to further increase our presence there. Our new facility will be of the highest standard and will cater for the specific demands in Southeast Asia.”

Öhlins Racing AB has been well represented in Asia for many years with distributors in Japan, China, Hong-Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia offering distribution, service, training and racing support for all Öhlins products. Öhlins Asia Co.,Ltd will strengthen the presence in Asia.

“We see the automotive and motorcycle industry expands in this region and many companies in those sectors have or are planning to establish themselves there. For our current and new business relations in this region it makes perfect sense for Öhlins to be there. The primary focus will be to meet the demand of high quality and high performance aftermarket products in the southeast Asian market and this new facility will be a vital addition to our already impressive presence in Asia,” says Johnny Bräster,Head of sales and marketing at Öhlins Racing AB.

The new facility is under currently under construction and will be of highest modern standard. The establishment is led by Head of Operations at Öhlins Racing AB, Henrik Johansson, who also at this phase is the President of the new Öhlins subsidiary.

“These facilities will meet all of the high quality demands and standards set by Öhlins and we are building a modern factory complete with humidity control, air condition and all other facilities expected of a modern Öhlins factory,” he explains.

The construction is expected to be finished in September 2012 with start of production planned to towards the end of 2012. Öhlins Racing AB is currently recruiting a local management team expected to be in place in the summer 2012.

Edited July 26, 2012 by Richard-BKK

[Garry]

Absolutely brilliant news. One can only hope Ohlins will have the whole lineup being manufactured here

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[nikster]

Holy shit! That's amazing!

[Richard-BKK]

Actually the information that Öhlins is opening a manufacturing facility will not change anything for the domestic market, D.S. Performance Product Co Ltd. (Dirt Shop Bangkok) will still be the distributor for Thailand and the manufacturer will not have any domestic sale office.

Meaning it's similar to Triumph, yes they make products in Thailand, but you need to contact the domestic distributor for parts, they (Öhlins) will only deal with manufacturers who also manufacture in the ASEAN group...

All not much benefit for the end user.

[bbradsby]

Actually the information that Öhlins is opening a manufacturing facility will not change anything for the domestic market, D.S. Performance Product Co Ltd. (Dirt Shop Bangkok) will still be the distributor for Thailand and the manufacturer will not have any domestic sale office.

Meaning it's similar to Triumph, yes they make products in Thailand, but you need to contact the domestic distributor for parts, they (Öhlins) will only deal with manufacturers who also manufacture in the ASEAN group...

All not much benefit for the end user.

Am just hoping you're complete wrong here. By avoiding the massive import taxation in LoS, Ohlins will be able to offer world pricing in a market where that was previously impossible. Imported European machinery is taxed at about 2.5x basic pricing, if my rough calcs are an indication. Losing that massive markup/ripoff could really pump up domestic sales for Ohlins.

[Garry]

One can only hope that some parity rules and that the local importer will have special dispensation from the Thailand factory.

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[jaapfries]

I congratulate the magnificent Mr. Kenth Ohlin on this new Milestone in his company's career ! ! !

Wishing you all the very best, Kenth.

Cheers,

Jaap

[BSJ]

I think it was an accounting decision not one from the heart!

[TongueThaied]

So will we be able to buy Ohlins in LOS for a decent price, or will the same <deleted> that seem to control all distributorships here keep the prices high and pocket ever greater profits? I imported my Ohlins from the US. Saved a bundle.

I note that the Thai/Australian Free Trade Pact that gradually removed duties over a five year period became complete in January, when the last of the duties were removed. In January, import duties were removed from Australian wines. Did that change the price here? fuc_k no. The family that controls 95% of all alcohol in Thailand simply took the extra to buy their kids a Mini Cooper. And they wonder why a political divide exists. Follow the money.

[bbradsby]

Another reason for the new factory may be due to a certain local suspension manufacturer, YSS, who produce some fine suspension bits at the top end of their range, and may be perceived as real competition for the increasingly important Asia market.