2010-Apr-23 - S'porean tech conglomerate mak

From PC distribution to creating enterprise solutions, Singapore-based technology conglomerate Thakral Group has done it all in the Philippines. The company, however, isn’t stopping there as the firm has begun raiding the low-end consumer electronics segment as well.Thakral Group, through its subsidiary Orion Electronics, has introduced in the local market a slew of Orion-branded cheap electronic gadgets, particularly phones and portable DVD players, that are aimed at giving competition to low-end brands such as Solid Group’s myPhone offerings.

Like the myPhone brand, Orion products are manufactured in China.Orion Electronics is headed by veteran IT executive Teddy Sumulong, who also heads the group’s PC distribution arm, Technopaq. Sumulong is also one of Christian Dior Watch the high-caliber tech managers recently recruited by the Thakral Group to boost its business in the country.Other top IT professionals drafted by the tech firm include Dittas Formoso, who holds a dual role as senior management advisor of the Thakral Group in the Philippines and OIC general manager for Raffles Solutions; Ruel Enconado, assistant general manager for the ERP division; and Deo Co, infrastructure Replica Vacheron Constantin Watches solutions practice assistant general manager.Bikram Singh Thakral, a member of the founding Thakral family who now serves as a Raffles Solutions CEO and director for global business and technology services at Thakral Group, said his company has employed Filipinos not only in the Philippines but also in its operations overseas.A $1.5-billion company, Thakral Group is strong in Asian emerging markets, namely, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and, the Philippines where it started its operations in 1997 with its flagship company Technopaq Philippines.The group, primarily through Raffles Solutions, said it is gearing towards expanding their offerings from the retail and distribution segment to the services industry as well.“We want to focus on the dynamic SME market to help them be more competitive and efficient with our best-of-breed products and value-added services offerings,” Thakral said.Although the company is Chanel Watch Replica bullish on its retail solutions offerings through Raffles Solutions, officials admitted that PC distribution remains to be its bread-and-butter.However, Thakral said its product portfolio and services offerings give the company the key differentiator as the preferred business partner and IT resource provider in the country.“The global economy is steadily getting back on the road to recovery and we see the same for the Philippines, if not at a quicker pace. Thakral Group, through its subsidiaries, is ready to address the IT needs of the large enterprise and the thriving SME sector,” Thakral said.