Sunwood, which has previously focused on exports, has spent US$2.6m building a plant to service the domestic market with teak flooring.
The company, which has also opened its first showroom in Bangkok, believes the move will help it grow sales by 8.3% to US$34.3m in 2006. Sunwood’s decision was also influenced by competition on the international market from Vietnam, China and Burma, plus the increasing spending power of Thai people.
The domestic product will be marketed under the “Sunwood” brand in the second half of the year, while distributors will be appointed in the country’s main tourist provinces.
Sunwood recorded sales of US$7.9m during the first quarter of 2006.
