UPDATE Q1/2025: Business Briefs

Continental expands capacity of its tire plant in Thailand

Continental is boosting the production capacity of its tire plant in Rayong, Thailand, by additional 3 million units per year. The gradual expansion plan of the operations stands for a planned total investment of more than 300 million euros (13 billion Thai Baht). The Board of Investment of Thailand is supporting the project under its Investment Stimulation Measure for Economic Recovery Scheme, thus supporting Continental’s ongoing growth in Thailand and the APAC region. This expansion will create approximately 600 additional jobs in the upcoming years. With more than 900 employees already working in its Rayong tire plant, the company is reinforcing its commitment to the Thai market and the Asia-Pacific region.

At its Rayong plant, Continental produces premium tires, like the MaxContact MC7, and other tire lines that also meet the specific requirements of electric vehicles. In 2023, Continental equipped all the top five highest-volume manufacturers of electric vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region with original equipment tires. In addition, Rayong is one of the biggest Continental motorcycle production facilities worldwide.

The plant meets highest energy efficiency standards. Its machinery is equipped with latest production technologies, while logistics and handling processes are highly automated. With a photovoltaic capacity of 6.7 megawatts peak, 13 percent of the annual electricity necessary in tire production can be covered by renewable energy sources.

Expansion in Southeast Asia: tesa opens new strategic hub in Thailand

tesa, international manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, has opened a new, state-of-the-art customer solution center and office spaces in Bangkok, Thailand. This strategic expansion marks a significant step for tesa to further expand its presence and customer relationships in Southeast Asia. Last year, tesa inaugurated the new production facility in Haiphong, Vietnam. In March 2024, the opening of a new office in Hanoi followed. The new spaces in Bangkok now represent another important milestone on this journey.

The new customer center in Bangkok features advanced simulation and testing capabilities. It is specifically geared towards customers and partners from the automotive, electronics, and home appliance industries. Visitors can test applications with specialised equipment on a total area of 850 square meters, including a 100 square meter laboratory unit. This includes, for example, an oven and a climate chamber for testing adhesive solutions.

The building housing the new customer solution center and office spaces in Bangkok is LEED Gold certified, like tesa's production facility in Haiphong. This underscores the company's commitment to greater sustainability, in line with tesa's ambitious goals of achieving climate-neutral production by 2030 and net-zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2045.

Lufthansa celebrates 65 years connecting Thailand with Europe

Lufthansa marks a significant milestone in its history: the 65th anniversary of its inaugural flight from Hamburg to Bangkok. This milestone highlights the airline’s longstanding commitment to the Thai market and Mekong region, connecting cultures, facilitating travel, and fostering business relationships between Germany and Thailand.

On 1 November 1959, Lufthansa’s first flight to Thailand took off from Hamburg, Germany. LH640, then known as the Super Constellation, took off for the Far East from Hamburg via Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, Cairo, Karachi and Calcutta to Thailand on a spectacular journey that has lasted nearly 2 days.

Today, Lufthansa operates multiple weekly flights between Europe and Thailand, via its hubs in Munich, & Frankfurt, while the airlines of the Lufthansa Group connect Thailand with Europe via additional hubs in Zurich and Vienna with up to 31 weekly flights between Thailand and Europe.

The 65th anniversary of Lufthansa was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok on 6 November 2024. GTCC Executive Director and GTCC members celebrated the new milestone together with Lufthansa Group’s Asia Pacific senior management team, including new Vice President Asia Pacific & Joint Ventures East, Felipe Bonifatti, and the Head of Regional Sales Southeast Asia, Brendan Shashoua, and General Manager Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and the Mekong region Anh-Thu Van Do (Anlee) and her team. Guests of honor included German Ambassador H.E. Dr. Ernst Reichel.

Häfele Thailand celebrates 30 glorious years

On 29 November 2024, Häfele Thailand celebrated its 30th anniversary with a grand event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. Mr. John Clare, Managing Director of Häfele Thailand and RD RSA, and Mr. Michael Distl, Managing Director of Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Facility Management, and IT, from the Häfele Group, were proud to host this exclusive celebration.

The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including H.E. Dr. Ernst Reichel, Ambassador of Germany to Thailand, and special guests from GTCC: Dr. Roland Wein, Executive Director, and Marius Mehnert, Deputy Executive Director & Head of Corporate Services.

The evening was a testament to Häfele Thailand’s enduring commitment to excellence and innovation. The event honored valued customers and partners who have contributed significantly to the company’s success over the past three decades.