Thailand's 'Singha Estate' acquires 286-hectare 'World Food Valley' industrial estate

'World Food Valley' industrial estate is at the heart of Thailand's drive to be a 'kitchen of the world' as well as one of the world's top food producers

Commits to invest US$ 55.5 million in further development of industrial estate

"Acquiring an industrial estate that is closely linked to the three power plants in which we have also taken substantial stakes is another step forward in the fulfilment of our strategy to create powerful synergies between Singha Estate's multiple business platforms. It gives us great competitive strength as well as creates a highly resilient business."

-- Mr. Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, Chairman, Singha Estate PCL

BANGKOK, May 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Singha Estate PCL (S), a leading Thai property investment and development company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire from Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd., 100 percent of the shares of Park Industry Co., Ltd., which owns the 286-hectare World Food Valley industrial estate in Ang Thong province in Central Thailand.

The share transfers are expected to take place in the third quarter of 2021.

The transaction's total value is approximately US$ 77.8 million, comprised of US$ 16.4 million for the entirety of Park Industry's shares, priced at par value, and a commitment to invest a further US$ 55.5 million in the development of the industrial estate, as well as other costs.

Mr. Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Singha Estate PCL, said, "Acquiring an industrial estate that is closely linked to the three power plants in which we have also taken substantial stakes is another step forward in the fulfilment of our strategy to create powerful synergies between Singha Estate's multiple business platforms. It gives us great competitive strength as well as creates a highly resilient business."

Mrs. Thitima Rungkwansiriroj, Chief Executive Officer, Singha Estate PCL, said, "The combination of an industrial estate business and a power generation business creates significant financial and operational benefits because industrial estates are one of the largest consumers of power. The operations inside the industrial estate create demand for the power generated by our three power plants. And, because this industrial estate is focussed on food, there will be demand by food processors for the food-grade steam that our power plants also produce. At the same time, the power plants boost our recurrent income and give us steady cashflow that reduces risks in cashflow fluctuation from sales of industrial estate land."

She added, "Apart from being a great strategic fit, we see strong prospects in the industrial estate sector in Central Thailand. The average occupancy rate of industrial estates in Thailand was approximately 80% at the end of last year, while the Central region enjoyed the highest occupancy rate at about 89%."

Mrs. Thitima added, "This industrial estate is also at the heart of Thailand's drive to be a 'kitchen of the world' as well as one of the world's top food producers. The location is highly strategic for those operating in the food sector because it is in the middle of the country's food and raw material supply chain for rice, dairy products, and poultry. It also has access to abundant supplies of water because of its proximity to the Chao Phraya River."

The Thai Government has been supporting the development of the food processing sector as part of its long-term policies. According to Thailand's Board of Investment, applications for investment privileges in the agriculture and food sectors were one of the fastest growing, and Thailand's Central region accounted for around half of all Board of Investment applications in 2020.

The demand for land in industrial estates in Thailand is forecast to increase once COVID-19 related foreign travel restrictions are eased.

Singha Estate PLC recently held its Annual General Meeting of shareholders on Friday 23^rd April at which shareholders approved the company's acquisition of a 30% shareholding in the three co-generation power plants located in the 'World Food Valley' industrial estate with a total investment of US$ 44.7 million. The first of the plants is an operational 123 megawatt (MW) combined cycle co-generation power plant. The second and third plants, each with 140 MW capacity, are greenfield operations that are currently under construction and will enter into service in 2023.

In March 2021, Singha Estate said that it aims to triple annual revenues within three years to around US$ 640 million and grow assets to US$ 2.57 billion.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations – Maysenee Ratnavijarn
Tel: +6692 417 5491
Email: IR@singhaestate.co.th 

Note to the Editor

Singha Estate is developing its business across four, connected platforms to secure dependable returns in an increasingly unpredictable local and global business environment. 

Its first three platforms are comprised of residential property, commercial property, and resorts and hotels.  It's fourth platform is new businesses that complement its core property businesses, such as power generation, related energy businesses, engineering services and other innovative services.

Singha Estate's commercial property businesses include 140,000 square metres of commercial office and retail space contributing approximately 15% of its total revenues in 2020.  It has 39 hotels and resorts with 4,600 keys across five countries, contributing approximately 24% of revenues.  And, it has 23 residential development projects that include single-detached-houses, townhouses, and condominiums under the Santiburi, The ESSE, and brands, contributing 57% of its revenues.