Maxima - Applikatio's first licensee in Asia - will spend Bt150 million on two rai of land to expand an existing plant and to build a new one to accommodate Applikatio's "Space Solution System" technology.

Construction is expected to be finished by the end of the year. The first batch of built-in furniture based on the new technology is expected to be ready by next year, said Maxima managing director Rawadi Jantawit.

She added that the new technology would allow the company to expand its product line beyond built-in cabinets and bookshelves, its main products, to include other kinds of built-in furniture.

Another advantage of the German technology is that the do-it-yourself construction will allow customers to assemble their own furniture. It will also allow customers to change surface materials without making structural changes to their furniture.

The company's target customers are high-end individual customers, offices and housing projects.

Dr Dieter Fink, managing director of Applikatio, said his company's technology had been available in Europe for some time. The company has adapted its design technology to suit Asian designs in a bid to expand here. Thailand is the company's first Asian market.

Rawadi said Maxima expected its sales to grow by 40 per cent this year, despite the current sluggishness of the local property sector and the economy as a whole.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation