Regional marketing manager Summed Prasongpongchai said the company was very successful in promoting its products through the "Nana" movie, one of the most popular Japanese films in 2005.

After "Nana II" was launched at the end of last year, the company enjoyed high sales of glassware in East Asia and Thailand.

This strategy of placing its products in popular movies is very effective, Summed said.

"We hope we will succeed in boosting our sales and strengthening our brand by means of Japanese movies like 'Nana' this year," he said.

Meanwhile, the company will focus more on exporting to Chile, Argentina and Colombia after its sales in South America grew more than 80 per cent last year.

Summed said people in this area had high spending power and favoured high-quality glass products. The company aims to penetrate the medium to high-end consumer market.

Its main export destinations are China, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, South Korea, the United States and European Union countries.

It targets to boost its revenue to Bt1.650 billion this year on a forecast exchange rate of Bt36 per dollar.

Because of the baht's strength, the company has increased its product prices by 5 to 10 per cent in almost all international markets since the beginning of this year, Summed said.

Last year, it showed a net profit of Bt140.4 million, a decrease of 23.9 per cent from the previous year due to rising energy costs and the baht's appreciation.

Its revenue was up 9 per cent to Bt1.59 billion last year due to increasing sales volume. Of total revenue, 62 per cent came from exports and the rest from domestic sales.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

 The Nation