Bühler Expands Rice Processing Footprint in Thailand with Major Contract with Siam Indica

LONDON, ENGLAND, June 22, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Bühler Group, a global leader in rice processing and optical sorting solutions, today announced a further strengthening of its commitment to the Thai rice industry with the announcement of a prestigious high value agreement with Siam Indica Co. Limited, the largest rice exporter in Thailand. The substantial investment by Siam Indica will see Bühler Thailand supply rice processing equipment totalling over 100 machines.

This major supply contract marks a further milestone in Bühler's continuing expansion in Asia and is strategically significant for Bühler Thailand's position in the important Thai rice market. It also strengthens Bühler's leading position as a technology-led solutions provider for the rice processing industry, demonstrating the increasing demand for the company's processing and optical sorting solutions from rice processors across the world. Bühler has become a first-choice supply partner for rice processing in Thailand and South East Asia with substantial equipment contracts in place with the largest rice processing organisations.

Since its formation in 2004, Siam Indica has focused its business model on investing in the most advanced technology to achieve its corporate ambition of becoming the premier rice industry player in Thailand and South East Asia. The current extensive factory upgrade will see Bühler work closely with a local contractor in the supply of accessories and installation services. Close co-operation between Khun Sorawit Chansakulporn, Siam Indica's director of production engineering, and Bühler Thailand's chief technologist Dr. Ye Aung, supported by senior sales executive Chaiyut Khanom, were key to an agreement that will ensure maximum benefit for Siam Indica.

"This new project markedly strengthens our industry references and reinforces our leading role in the rice processing industry. The agreement with Siam India Co. Limited demonstrates our commitment to help our customers develop state of the art processing solutions. It also shows we are confident about the growth of the rice processing market in South East Asia," said Mark Ledson, Territory Manager for South East Asia at Buhler Thailand.

As part of the agreement, Bühler will supply 22 optical sorters that were selected in preference to other manufacturers' equipment.

Mr Chansakulporn spoke of the development of his company relationship with Bühler in positive terms. "The close working relationship we developed with the Bühler team and their willingness to share their process knowledge ensured our factory upgrade, layout configurations and delivery time scale exceeded all of our expectations. We believe these upgrades will enhance our name in the international market and would like to recognise this in our future branding. We expect this will be the start of long lasting cooperation with Bühler to support the further development of our new projects and contribute to the growth of our company."

Mr Chansakulporn will also head a delegation of senior Siam Indica engineers to tour Bühler's manufacturing sites.

Nick Wilkins, Head of Bühler's Rice Processing business, affirms that "This major contract is further acknowledgement of our global capability to supply complete process engineered solutions to leading rice processors driven by our leadership in rice research and technical excellence. We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with Siam Indica."

The sizeable supply of Bühler rice processing equipment substantially reinforces the company's leading position and influence in delivering innovative, energy efficient technology solutions to Thai rice processors and expands Bühler's footprint in the South East Asian market where several significant growth opportunities are expected.

The Bühler reputation is built on many decades of sorting experience, enhanced by substantial and consistent investment in research and development. The impressive SORTEX range of sorting machines can take on a huge variety of different commodities and, by removing unwanted defects and impurities from them, allow our world-wide partners to deliver - clean, safe, consistent products to their customers, and to do so profitably.