Asia Plantation Capital Scaling New Heights at the Annual General Meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning plantation management company Asia Plantation Capital held its Thailand Annual General Meeting last Saturday, 10 October 2015, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mr Barry Rawlinson, CEO of Asia Plantation Capital, addressing attendees at the Annual General Meeting held at The Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

Attendees at Eco Tech Asia’s booth – featuring bamboo luggage, ‘APC Boo Bikes’ and other environmentally friendly products.

Fragrance Du Bois’ luxurious ‘pop up’ display at the Annual General Meeting.

Scaling new heights, Asia Plantation Capital declared revenue of US$64.7 million for the 2014 financial year, while surpassing the figure of US$8.1 million in repayments to clients since inception, and forecasted to pass US$10 million by the end of 2015. Updates were also given on the exponential growth and acquisition of plantations in the region, with emphasis on the opening of Southeast Asia's largest agarwood processing factory in Malaysia. The factory - occupying 44,000 ft² and boasting an impressive collection of 20 distillery stills - is integral to Asia Plantation Capital's expansion plans to increase market share in the years ahead. 

Opening the Annual General Meeting, Mr Barry Rawlinson, Asia Plantation Capital Group Chief Executive Officer, addressed the crowd of 300 Thailand-based plantation owners and stakeholders, and spoke of the company's unceasing dedication and relentless approach to 'holistic' sustainability - which encompasses equal care and encouragement given to all members of staff, from top management all the way through to plantation workers. 

Some of the other highlights included the introduction of new branches of the group focusing on sustainable essential oils, real estate, organics and bamboo. This is a major part of the company's continuous commitment to research and development across all of its core plantation sectors.

Mr Roger Hargreaves, Chairman of Asia Plantation Capital Thailand, further updated the audience on Asia Plantation Capital's associate company, Eco Tech Asia's latest developments, which focus on green energy, solar power, and a range of environmentally friendly goods, such as bamboo bikes ('APC Boo Bikes'), luggage, teak and bamboo flooring, as well as high-powered solar cell products.

Reiterating Asia Plantation Capital's approach to holistic sustainability, Mrs Jinda Tonkhambai, General Manager and Forestry Director, Thailand, outlined the practical aspects of the work and care undertaken in all of Asia Plantation Capital's staff working across 126 plantations in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Apart from commercial activities, Asia Plantation Capital strongly supports and works closely with the local communities in and around which it operates, by providing social and cultural support, as well as investment. An example of this was when Asia Plantation Capital gifted bicycles to the children of a village in Thailand as part of the Children's Day celebrations.

Associate professor, Dr Pakamas Chetpattanondh, from the Prince of Songkla University, also presented the audience with groundbreaking scientific and technical data, on behalf of the research department. Asia Plantation Capital's Scientific Advisory Board is currently working in collaboration with Dr Dai Haofu, Deputy Director at the Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology in China, on the medicinal and healing benefits of Oud oil. As of last year, primary research efforts have been focused on methods of inoculation for agarwood, along with process efficiency and distillation excellence, all of which are designed to expand and hone the methods of stimulating resin development on Asia Plantation Capital's plantations.

Brand Director of Fragrance Du Bois, Nicola Parker, brought the audiences up to date on the brand's growth and expansion over the past year - with significant emphasis placed on the partnership with Asia Plantation Capital, and its ongoing commitment to using 100% pure Oud oil, supplied by the plantation company. The brand has also opened its doors in Southeast Asia to stock and promote some of the world's most exclusive fragrances.

Having recently celebrated the first anniversary of its flagship boutiques in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, along with the launch of its newly crafted scent, London Oud, the biggest news came with the announcement that the niche, luxury brand will be opening its next concept boutique in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This will accompany a number of 'concessions' and 'pop ups' in department stores in major cities around the world.

A 'pop up' display, replicating Fragrance Du Bois' flagship boutiques in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, was also available for attendees to experience an educational and sensory treat. 

"2014 has been yet another exciting year," said the Asia Plantation Capital Group's CEO, Barry Rawlinson, "and not just in the region, but globally as well. Apart from the expansion and tremendous growth in the forestry sector, our efforts have also been recognised by industry experts, and we were honoured to have received two awards for sustainable forestry."

Rawlinson concluded, "On behalf of the company, I would like to thank all our stakeholders, shareholders and every member of staff for their contribution and support. We are continually moving onwards and upwards, and will always remember our core values as we strive for excellence in what promises to be another year of growth and achievement."

Notes for Editors:

For further information, please contact:

Zureina Maidin
PR & Marketing Director, Malaysia
Email: zureina.maidin@asiaplantationcapital.com
Mobile: +6013-774-1009

Samantha Tham
PR & Marketing Executive, Malaysia
Email: samantha.tham@asiaplantationcapital.com
Mobile: +65 91440933

About Asia Plantation Capital

Established officially in 2008 (although operating privately since 2002), Asia Plantation Capital is the owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and is part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies.

Leading the way in sustainable plantation management, Asia Plantation Capital prides itself in a 'holistic' sustainability approach by working closely with, and supporting local communities in providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia.

With plantations and agricultural projects in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, North America and Europe, Asia Plantation Capital is one of the largest vertically integrated producers of Oud oil and agarwood in Southeast Asia - testimony to which has been the recent opening of the largest agarwood processing factory in the region.

About Fragrance Du Bois

Fragrance Du Bois is a niche luxury perfume house born from the richest essences of nature, crafted by fifth generation perfumers from the 17th century French traditions of Grasse. All Du Bois fragrances are created using 100% pure, organic Oud oil and other sustainably-sourced ingredients from plantations managed by award-winning company, Asia Plantation Capital.

Having just celebrated its first anniversary of its flagship boutiques in Singapore and Malaysia, Fragrance Du Bois is looking forward to more developments in Dubai, Hong Kong and Thailand. Fragrance Du Bois creates only the finest experience in bespoke perfumery, all while staying true to its ethos - 'Personal luxury with a conscience'.

About Eco Tech Asia

Eco Tech Asia specialises in bamboo hardwood floors. Demand for bamboo flooring is growing as a result of its durability, natural beauty, and global market appeal. The increased use of bamboo will result in the need for more sustainable commercial bamboo plantations to meet the demands of existing supply chains. It also manufactures bamboo bicycles and bamboo luggage, and will be expanding into eco-friendly health, fashion, and lifestyle products in the near future.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20151021/8521507060-a
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20151021/8521507060-b
Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20151021/8521507060-c