Thailand's participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will herald a major change in the country's position as a leading regional shopping hub and top tourist destination. The improved infrastructure, transportation, and airports in key cities are expected to increase inbound tourism from 25 million to 40 million people within the next five years in destination cities including Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai, among others.
Jardine Schindler, the leading manufacturer of escalators and elevators in the region, is one of the strongest players in building transportation systems for all forms of urban infrastructure, from low-rise residential buildings to commercial and high-rise towers. Jardine Schindler has more than three decades of on-the-ground expertise in Thailand.
Riding the wave of inbound tourism growth triggered by the coming AEC, Jardine Schindler has recently been commissioned by The Mall Group, Thailand's prestigious mall operator, as the major mobility partner in its latest US$1.4 billion plus investment in five world-class shopping centers that are set to make Thai retail history. The tremendous expansion plan aimed at growing the District EM in Sukhumvit, into a gigantic retail hub that will host over 1000 leading Thai and international brands.
Jardine Schindler has been tasked to install the elevators, escalators and moving walks in five of these projects – including the Emsphere in Sukhumvit; BLÚ PORT in Hua Hin; BLÚ Pearl in Phuket; the Bangkok Mall project (destined to become a city within a city with ultra-modern and spectacular architecture consisting of business, residential and office space) as well as the revamping of the Mall Korat. Overall, Schindler's contract for these five projects encompasses 60 Schindler 5500 elevators, 212 Schindler 9300 AE escalators, and 6 moving walks.
"Schindler is committed to this region and we are here for the long-run," said Jujudhan Jena, CEO of Jardine Schindler Group. "During the past few decades, we have witnessed ups and downs in the economy and our business has been incredibly resilient. Guided by the hallmarks of our business which are quality and safety, we strive to come up with new innovations and provide tailored solutions for a wide range of projects."
Innovation is at the heart of Jardine Schindler's business. The latest technology that it has unveiled centres on a Personal Occupant Requirement Terminal (PORT), the third and latest generation of the company's series of destination control systems first pioneered by Schindler in the 1990s. Behind the technology is a highly advanced algorithm that continuously reviews traffic patterns and systematically optimises passenger flows throughout the day. Integrating powerful communications, security and energy saving features, PORT has revolutionised the way people move through buildings seamlessly and efficiently. The PORT technology is well received by end-users, architects, developers and consultants, as evident in many landmark projects in Bangkok such as Park Ventures, AIA Capital Centre, AIA Sathorn Tower and Stock Exchange of Thailand.
In 2014, Jardine Schindler secured a project with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to install 30 Schindler 5500 elevators, 64 Schindler 9300 AE escalators and 20 moving walks for the Metropolitan Rapid Transit, Red Line, Contract 2, a planned commuter rail system to serve the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. The project marked a significant entry into the public transport sector in Thailand and was a testament to the firm's energy efficient, intelligent and versatile product offerings.
"Jardine Schindler operates in most of the major cities of Thailand, with a strong presence in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiangmai," said Mr. Jena. "As Thailand develops into a mature market, we will be looking to step up our resources and coverage in areas like Hua Hin, Pattaya and Khon Kaen where there is increasing demand for green, smart, and affordable residential properties in the near future."
"It is not easy to be a sustainable leader," added Mr. Jena. "But we have endured and thrived in this market since we first established offices here in 1980, thanks to a strong and dedicated organisation and the trust placed upon us by our customers in Thailand. Our distinct advantage, apart from our undeterred commitment to safety and innovation, is the depth of our local know-how and sector expertise. We are excited about the direction we are heading in Thailand, and remain optimistic about prospects in this country. We will therefore continue to invest in expanding our business in Thailand geographically and in strengthening our capabilities. Ultimately, our aim is to make Schindler our customers' and our employees' first choice."