WHA Group Launches Its 10th Industrial Estate in Thailand: WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 3 Welcomes Prinx Chengshan Tire from China as First Customer

 

Shown in photo:

1. Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul (Center) Chairman and Group CEO of WHA Corporation PCL
2. Mr. David Nardone (3rd left), Group Executive Industrial and International, WHA Industrial Development PLC
3. Mr. Vivat Jiratikarnsakul (2nd left), Chief Operating Officer, Industrial and International, WHA Industrial Development PLC
4. Ms. Ladda Rojanavilaivudh (left), Vice President, Industrial Estate Customer Development, WHA Industrial Development PLC
5. Mr. Che Hongzhi (3rd right), Chairman of the Board, Chengshan Group
6. Mr. Che Baozhen (2nd right), General Manager, Prinx Chengshan
7. Mr. Li Feng (right), CEO and Country Head of Bank of China (Thai) PCL

 

Bangkok, Thailand, April 1, 2019 – WHA Industrial Development PLC, a subsidiary of WHA Group, Thailand’s leader in fully-integrated Logistics, Industrial Estates, Utilities & Power, and Digital Platform, announced the launch of WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 3 (WHA ESIE 3), the Group’s 10th newly-operated industrial estate in Thailand. Located in the EEC with efficient infrastructure and world-class industrial services, WHA ESIE 3 is now open to serve investors in different sectors, especially target industries including Next Generation Automotive, Robotics and Automation, Aviation and Logistics and others.

WHA Group today celebrated the 1st signed contract with Prinx Chengshan Tire (Thailand) Co., Ltd. under Chengshan Group from China for 280 rai (44.80 ha) at WHA ESIE 3, to build Prinx Chengshan’s 1st manufacturing facility in Thailand and in Southeast Asia. The new facility is expected to start operations by mid-2020.

A China-based tire company listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK) since October 2018, Prinx Chengshan selected Thailand’s EEC and WHA ESIE 3 for its first tire plant in the region. For the primary phase of its project, Prinx Chengshan is investing THB 10.1 billion (USD 300 million) for infrastructure and a production line with an annual capacity of 4 million passenger car radial tires (PCR) and 800,000 truck and bus radial tires (TBR). The plant will require an initial workforce of 1,200 people, and will exceed 2,000 once the annual production capacity increases to 10 million PCR and 2 million TBR tires.

“We are proud to have Prinx Chengshan Tire (Thailand) as our first customer at WHA ESIE 3, our 10th industrial estate in Thailand, in reaching this milestone” said Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, WHA Corporation PCL. “Prinx Chengshan’s investment in Thailand is also a significant step forward for our automotive industry and a clear confirmation of the EEC’s attractiveness to foreign investors. We are also expecting more investors to join us in the near future, with an estimated THB 140 billion (USD 4.41 billion) in investment value at WHA ESIE 3 over the next five years.”

“It is an honor to have been selected by Prinx Chengshan as we welcome this latest addition to the WHA community,” said Mr. David Nardone, Group Executive Industrial and International, WHA Industrial Development PLC. “WHA ESIE 3’s world-class facilities and services, excellent infrastructure, and its strategic location make it the ideal choice for Prinx Chengshan to expand its operations and to enhance the company’s international competitiveness.”

“Setting up our first overseas production facility at WHA ESIE 3 in Thailand is truly a significant advancement in our group’s expansion” added Mr. Che Hongzhi, Chairman of the Board, Chengshan Group. “After 2 years of investigation and screening, Thailand emerged as the obvious choice, due to its reputation as the vanguard of the Southeast Asian economy, and its position as the world’s leading supplier of natural rubber. The EEC and WHA ESIE 3 offer outstanding location advantages, qualified human resources, high-standard service facilities, convenient logistics and infrastructure, lending to a strong radiation impact in the area. These are important factors for our investment that will enhance the competitiveness of our products. We look forward to a long-term mutually beneficial relationship with WHA Industrial Development.”

WHA ESIE 3: EEC-approved for new-generation industries

WHA Group’s newest industrial estate, WHA ESIE 3 comprises a total of 2,198 rai (equal to 869 acres or 352 ha) of developed land strategically situated in the Nong Yai district of Chonburi province. It is accessible via Highway 344 and 3245 from Bangkok and the Suvarnabhumi airport, located just 138 km and 111 km respectively. It is also near the Laem Chabang Deep Seaport, and is close to two other WHA Group industrial estates - the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong) and the WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 1 (WHA ESIE 1).

WHA ESIE 3 stands out for its high infrastructure standards, with large roads of 30-35 meters offering a bearing capacity of 20-40 tons per sq.m. and solid soil +80/+110 meters above sea level. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) provides power supplies of 22 kV and 115 kV, while WHA Utilities and Power Plc. (WHAUP) proposes alternative power sources such as solar rooftop energy. Other utilities services include industrial water, wastewater treatment services, waste disposal landfill and a natural gas distribution system by WHA Eastern Seaboard NGD3.

Like the 8 other WHA industrial estates that have been granted approval by the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Management Committee, WHA ESIE 3 is an industrial promotion zone that will serve investors in next generation industries such as Next Generation Automotive, Robotics and Automation, Aviation and Logistics and others.