Multibax to become this year’s first listing on Thai alternative market

Bangkok–26 Jan–SET

Multibax PCL will be listed on Thailand’s Market for Alternative Investment (mai) on January 29, 2007. At its initial public offering (IPO) during January 18 – 19, the company raised THB 175 million to be used to expand production capacity, purchase new machinery and construct a warehouse.

The firm’s securities will use “MBAX” as their trading symbol, mai President Mr. Chanitr Charnchainarong announced.

MBAX has THB 128 million (USD 3.56 million) paid-up capital, comprised of an existing 93 million common shares and 35 million shares in capital increase, each with a par value of THB 1. During January 18 – 19, the company sold its 35 million capital increase shares to the public at THB 5 per share. Kasikorn Securities PCL acted as MBAX’s financial advisor.

The IPO price of THB 5 reflected a price/earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.24 (calculated by dividing its 12-month net profits average between October 2005 and September 2006 by 128 million shares). This compares favorably with mai’s average P/E on January 11, 2007 of 8.72. MBAX’s dividend payment policy is to pay no less than 40% of its net profit after tax and legal reserves.

MBAX manufactures various kinds of customized plastic bags, e.g., food freezer, zippable, fruit and vegetable, and trash bags. Its products are exported to North America, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand.

The company has two certificates from the Board of Investment (BOI), entitling it to pay tax at 50% of profit for five years from 2006, and an exemption from corporate income tax (for eight years from April 5, 2004) on the profit from its annual production of 30,000 tons. Its shareholders will be not liable for withholding tax on dividends received during the exemption period.

After the IPO, the principal shareholders in the company are Mr. Voraphot Srimahachota, holding 17.20% of paid-up capital, followed by Mr. Anuwat Suthmahatayangkun and Mr. Surachai Atsawakaewmongkhon, who each hold 10.55%.
For more information on MBAX, please visit their corporate website at www.multibax.com , mai’s website at www.mai.or.th , or SETTRADE.Com’s website at www.settrade.com

For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.:
Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Kulvida Jintakawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 /
Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797