On course for tech goal

Two years after her statement that she wanted to create a new image for WHA Group as a tech company, group chief executive Jareeporn Jarukornsakul believes her efforts are close to bearing fruit, with the company set to achieve the goal next year.

A developer and provider of industrial estates, logistics, utilities and power, as well as digital platform services, WHA is keen to become a tech-driven organisation, with all businesses benefiting from digital technology.

Ms Jareeporn, also chairman of the executive committee, is working with her team to devise plans to digitalise WHA, aiming to seek new business opportunities in the world increasingly shaped by digital innovations ranging from applications on smart phones to generative artificial technology.

Other businesses, especially industrial estates, must be further developed in tandem with digital transformation as Ms Jareeporn also sees ways to grow WHA amid concerns over the impact of geopolitical conflicts.

DIGITAL BENEFITS

Digital technology not only promises to improve work and services provided by WHA, but it also helps the company fulfil its environmental goals, said Ms Jareeporn.

During the 2024 Techsauce Global Summit held in Bangkok in early August, WHA introduced participants in the three-day event to Mobilix, the software it developed to help users better manage electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries.

Mobilix, which has already generated revenue for the company this year, can support the company’s green logistics business, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

WHA commits to achieving its net-zero target, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, by 2050.

Ms Jareeporn said WHA is determined to replace oil-powered cars used at its industrial estates with EVs, with the goal of increasing EV numbers to 10,000 in the long term.

A focus will be on electric trucks, pickups and passenger cars, hoping they will help WHA and its customers achieve net-zero goals, she said.

Digital technology will play a key role in helping WHA get stronger and grow sustainably.

In addition to Mobilix, WHA, together with Samitivej Hospital, jointly launched WHAbit, a digital application enabling app subscribers to manage their own health and wellness.

WHA also developed WHASApp, a super app which consolidates comprehensive services for WHA customers and collects real-time utility and energy usage data.

"As we progress, we're transitioning into a data-centric organisation, with the ambition to become tech-driven organisation that fully embraces technology across all facets by 2025,” said Ms Jareeporn.

WHA plans to spend 60 million baht this year on artificial intelligence technology, she said.

With the help of AI, the company undertook 12 transformative technology projects aimed at enhancing operations, reducing expenses and generating business value.

OPPORTUNITY IN CONFLICT

In the industrial estate business, Ms Jareeporn sees good prospects this year, driven partly by foreign entrepreneurs looking for new production sites, following the impact of disputes among countries.

WHA Group upgraded its industrial land sales target to 2,500 rai this year, thanks to growing foreign investment and the state policy to promote new businesses.

The company’s original target was 2,400 rai.

Ms Jareeporn attributed the increase partly to the impact of geopolitical conflicts and the trade war which has caused foreign business people to relocate their production facilities to countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

Their search for new investment destinations comes as the government implements a policy to promote S-curve industries, including new-generation cars — notably EVs — and smart electronics, in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

WHA aims to boost its land sales both in Thailand and Vietnam.

In the first half of this year, WHA’s total industrial land sales stood at 1,042 rai, comprising 979 rai in Thailand and 63 rai in Vietnam.