Univanich

The Univanich Research Department is a leading centre for oil palm research employing 100 people and with more than 650 hectares under field trials. This includes an internationally recognised oil palm breeding programme which produces high yielding hybrid seeds for local and overseas oil palm growers. Univanich operates three oil palm crushing mills located in Krabi Province, the centre of the prime oil palm growing region in Southern Thailand. These three factories purchase approximately 80% of their palm fruit from small outgrower farmers and together produce more than 150,000 tonnes of palm oil annually. At the core of the Univanich business is an experienced management team and more than 1,000 skilled employees. Many have overseas business experience gained during their service with Unilever's Plantation and Plant Science Group. In November 2003, Univanich shares were listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand where they are traded in the Agribusiness sector under the abreviation UVAN. At the 2005 Thailand Business Leaders Awards organised by CNBC and the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Univanich was judged Best Performing Company in the Agro-Food Sector, and the company's Managing Director, Mr John Clendon, was one of eight nominees for Thailand's CEO of the Year.