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Our sugar business journey has begun in 1945 with the strong determination and long term vision of the KP group's three co-founders who areThai businessmen. They all vividly envisioned the strong potential of the sugar industry in Thailand and decided to jointly found a company, KITTIYA PONPRAI with capitalization of 6,000,000 Baht in 1946 and Mr. Chuan Chinthammit became its first Managing Director. The others co-founders were all directors.
The company's auspicious name, KITTIYA PONPRAI, was derived from three thai characters that were the middle names of the three partners' original business establishments .
The first office and factory were both located in Soi Kasemsan 3 on Rama 1 Road, Bangkok. The primary production was to produce plantation White Sugar from sugarcane syrup and coconut-palm sugar by a conventional method with a daily capacity of 6 bags.
In 1952 the factory was moved from its site in Soi Kasemsan 3 to a new premise at # 38 Pechtkasem Road, Moo 5, Tambon Bang Wa, Amphur Pasichareon in Thonburi and renamed as KITTIYA PONPRAI. [plant 1]. Production capacity was then increased to 250 bags per day.
Due to the executives' experiences and expertise, the business flourished successively and a new sugar factory, was set up in 17 Alma Link Building 19th floor, Soi Chidlom, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok . It was the first sugar factory that adopted a modern technology to produce granulated sugar directly from fresh sugarcane juice. Later on, the company decided to establish companies to take over and construct additional two sugar factories .
In 1970 a new sugar factory, Narumon fhaunfung., was erected at # 717 Alma Link Building 19th floor, Soi Chidlom, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok .
Again in 1972-1973 another two sugar factories which is now the main factory KITTIYA PONPRAI was constructed in the Kanchanaburi Province, at # 14/1 Moo 10, Saeng-Xuto Road.
KITTIYA PONPRAI .....Nowadays and Success
There was a significant change in 1974. The shareholders embarked upon a structural re-organization and appointed Mrs. Nantha Chinthammit and Mr. Chavalit Chinthammit as the first chairman and managing director, respectively. The head office was at # 186, 186/1-4 Siam Square, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok.
In order to accommodate the group's business growth, KITTIYA PONPRAI. diversified into real estate development with the construction project of a 21-story office building at # 503 Sri Ayudhya Road in Rajathevi District, Bangkok. Upon the project completion in 1994, it has become the head office for all our affiliated companies.
Mr. Chamroon Chinthammit has been appointed the Managing Director of all sugar companies since 1996. Under his leadership, KITTIYA PONPRAI has continuously and outstandingly prospered. All the Group's executives have enthusiastically joined force in making the Group to become the top market leader and the first sugar manufacturing group in Thailand to achieve ISO 9001:2000, HACCP and SQF 2000 certificates.
With the sugar business as a stepping-stone and the long term vision of all the Group's executives, past and present, alike, the KITTIYA PONPRAI has diversified into many business ventures. Achievements in each project have accelerated the Group's fame and success.
To Be Number One
We have successfully attained international standards at all of our 4 sugar factory subsidiaries. During February- April this year, we were the first sugar manufacturing group in Thailand to achieve the ISO 9001:2000 certificate for Quality Management Systems, the food security management system certificate HACCP and the SQF2000 from SGS [THAILAND]. This achievement is a major step in enhancing our international competitive edges in the global market.
HACCP or HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINT is the critical and analytical control system. Regarding food safety standards, this award ensures excellence against biological and chemical contamination and all kinds of physical hazards. A HACCP certified factory must meet all required hygienic standards including the elimination of pests, the maintenance of employee hygiene and the control of hazardous materials. HACCP quality control criteria must comply with the international food standards of the CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION.
SQF 2000 or SAFE QUALITY FOOD is an international standard system of food quality and safety assurance. Each factory that attains the ISO 9000 together with HACCP demonstrates to consumers that its production system offers the highest safety and hygienic standards.
KITTIYA PONPRAI Business Network
As it approaches its sixth decade of operations, KITTIYA PONPRAI has not only successfully become the leader in sugar manufacturing but also expanded and diversified into many businesses, some of which are jointly invested in with international partners while some are among our subsidiaries. Our businesses are widely ranged in 4 main categories: