Univanich Palm Oil Public Company Limited

Univanich Palm Oil PCL is a pioneer of the oil palm plantation industry in Thailand with a track record going back to the companyÕs first plantings in 1969. Today Univanich is one of ThailandÕs leading palm oil producers and the countryÕs largest exporter of crude palm oils and high quality oil palm seeds. The CompanyÕs emphasis on modern agricultural practices and productivity improvement was enhanced during 15 years of successful joint-venture with the Anglo-Dutch corporation Unilever. From 1983 to 1988 Univanich was managed as part of UnileverÕs Plantations and Plant Science Group, from Cambridge, UK. 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 UnileverÕs 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 companyÕs Managing Director, Mr John Clendon, was one of eight nominees for ThailandÕs CEO of the Year.