B-Quik sets sights beyond Thailand

       B-Quik, the country's largest automobile service chain, is exploring business and investment opportunities in three neighbouring countries as prospects look promising.
       "We desire to be the first fast-fit operator in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia,"said chief executive Henk Kiks.
       B-Quik is looking at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where the number of automobiles is growing rapidly. About one million vehicles are running on the streets in both cities, but maintenance services are still mainly limited to old shophouses that offer tyre replacements.
       The company expects to bring the B-Quik concept into Vietnam in 2011.The investment cost is close to that in Thailand as land costs in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are on par with those in Bangkok.
       Mr Kiks said the company also aimed to enter Phnom Penh and Vientiane,where modern auto service centres are also scarce.
       B-Quik has turned its attention to the three countries after failing to make inroads into Malaysia, where regulations requiring Malaysian majority ownership slowed talks with prospective local partners.
       "We are still interested in this market and are aware that this requirement will be revoked next year," Mr Kiks said.
       In Thailand, he said B-Quik's per-formance in the first half of this year had been excellent despite the sluggish market conditions. Sales grew more than 30% year-on-year even though tyre demand was down. Tyres account for 55%of B-Quik's total annual revenue, and the company has a 15% share of the tyre market in Bangkok.
       B-Quik is the only independent service provider that offers all tyre brands and models.
       The company expects to post sales of about 2 billion baht this year, up 30%from 2008, with tyre sales forecast at 500,000.
       The better-than expected performance in the first half prompted B-Quik to gear up for full expansion in the second half.Many department stores and shopping malls have persuaded B-Quik to expand its centres on their premises to attract more affluent customers.
       B-Quik intends to add at least eight maintenance centres this year, three of which have already opened, with the remaining five to open by year-end. Each centre costs about 100 million baht.
       The company now has 58 centres nationwide and attracts about 40,000 customers a month.
       Mr Kiks said B-Quik also planed a second brand to offer budget products and light maintenance services.
       In addition to tyres, B-Quik offers services including oil changes, brake and suspension system replacement and airconditioner repairs.