NEWS : Nippon Steel to triple Thai distributor network for housing materials

September 23, 2016 TOKYO -- Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal plans to increase the authorized distributors for its construction materials to 100 locations in Thailand by around 2018 as the Japanese company seeks to cater to the evolving needs of consumers there.

A local joint venture with an Australian partner currently has contracts with 35 authorized distributors that handle processing and sales of building materials.

Housing starts are rising in Thailand amid the growing ranks of middle-income consumers, who have increasingly diverse tastes in colors and designs for roofs, walls and other building materials. Nippon Steel hopes to boost sales by serving these consumers better.

(Nikkei)