PRESS RELEASE – 15 AUGUST 2005
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MINOR 2Q05 profits up 98% YoY to Baht 73 Million
In 2Q05, Minor Corporation’s (MINOR)
net profit was up 98% YoY to Baht 73 million. Sales revenue was up 14.2% to
Baht 619 million on the strength of its extensive portfolio of fashion, cosmetics
and other lifestyle brands. The company also received Baht 54 million in
dividend income in 2Q05 from its 4.2% stake in Minor International (MINT) and
recently announced a plan to increase its stake in MINT to 19.3%. The
acquisition is consistent with the company’s strategy of increasing existing
stakes in investments that offer superior long term growth opportunities.
MINOR’s retail lifestyle brands business
performed well in 2Q05. Among its established lifestyle brands, Espirt’s sales
revenue increased by 38% to Baht 121 million and Bossini, Bloom, TUMI, and Red
Earth combined for sales of Baht 104 million, a 12% increase YoY. The combined net profit from these
brands was up 27% YoY to Baht 34 million.
Recently introduced brands such as Elemis, Soul Edge,
Rampage, Panos, and Laneige continued to invest in establishing a presence in Thailand
and posted a combined net loss of Baht 9 million for the period.
MINOR’s contract manufacturing business experienced
a 4% YoY decrease in sales to Baht 277 million and profit declined from Baht 6
million in 2Q04 to Baht 2 million in 2Q05. Management continued to look for
ways to leverage the full capacity of the new factory which began operating in
4Q04 by expanding both domestically and regionally.
Minor Corporation (Minor) is a leading distributor of international
lifestyle brands in Thailand
focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics, golf equipment and education. Its brands
include Esprit, Red Earth, Bossini, Sinéquanone, Rampage, Bloom, Laneige, Elemis,
Soul Edge, Tumi, Panos, Ping,
Etonic, La Jolla, Henckels, Time Life, and
World Book. It owns and operates one of Thailand’s leading contract
manufacturers and investment portfolio of listed and private securities. For more
information on Minor Corporation, please visit www.minornet.com
Press Contacts: William E. Heinecke / Pratana
Manomaiphiboon at Tel: (662) 381-5151