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Diethelm Limited's Consumer Goods Business Unit has opened its new state-of-the-art Distribution Center (DC) in Bang-na, involving an investment of THB 1 billion in land, construction and equipment. The 53,000 sq meter facility, built on 61 rai, offers Diethelm's principals the highest level of logistics and distribution services available anywhere in the nation. The Business Unit Consumer Goods provides one-stop shopping from marketing and sales to warehousing and distribution services, all customized to manufacturers' specific needs.

Dr. Joerg Wolle, Chief Executive Officer and President of DKSH Group, who flew in from Zurich headquarters for the opening, stated, "This new DC serves as a catalyst for continued growth of Diethelm in Thailand, and will further strengthen the superior positioning of our Consumer Goods business versus the competition.” Somboon Prasitjutrakul, Executive Vice President Business Unit Consumer Goods, said ”The consumer goods market in Thailand will strongly benefit from this new Distribution Center, as our substantial economies of scale and presence generate a far wider range of products, broader coverage nationwide with faster deliveries, all advantages that result in serious cost efficiencies.”

The new DC, where construction began in January 2006, is a part of DKSH's investment of THB 1.3 billion in Thailand in this year alone. Sales in Thailand for 2006 are expected to grow by 16%. Worldwide, DKSH has seen double-digit sales growth in every year since 2002, with anticipated sales of THB 240 billion for 2006. In the coming 2007 business year, both DKSH and Diethelm Limited are looking to continued growth, with DKSH planning further investments in Thailand amounting again to more than THB 1 billion. These will go towards a new Distribution Center for Diethelm Healthcare, investments in state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, processes and HR training, i.e. a stake in Diethelm's most valued resource, its people. Today, Diethelm employs more than 10,000 specialists in Thailand, an increase of 20% or 2,000 new jobs created since 2002. In addition to these investments, DKSH is looking at possible acquisitions.

Dr. Wolle continued, "At the beginning of the 101st year of Diethelm's operations in Thailand, I am delighted to be announcing the appointment of Somboon Prasitjutrakul as President of Diethelm Limited, the first Thai national to fill this position. Given Somboon's years of experience and his leadership in our global Business Unit Consumer Goods, he was my natural choice. With Walter Brenneis reaching official retirement age, and to whom we offer our thanks for numerous years of service, Somboon will stand as proof of the fact that DKSH is an organization which values cultural diversity − also in its top executive team. DKSH is very pleased indeed with the progress of our Thai operations.”

Somboon, who first joined Diethelm in 1993, will remain as Executive Vice President Business Unit Consumer Goods, while assuming his additional duties.