Q-Con maintains sales goals

       SET-listed Quality Construction Products Plc, a manufacturer and distributor of lightweight concrete under the Q-Con brand, has maintained its sales estimates for 2009 despite falling short of its target in the first half.
       Second-quarter sales missed its estimate by 25% on 195 million baht, making first-half figures fall 13.5% to 450 million,said Kitti Soonthornmanokul, vicepresident of the sales and marketing.
       The company earlier projected revenue of 520 million in the first six months,Mr Kitti acknowledged.
       "The second quarter saw a business slowdown, especially in the private sector,for high-rise building construction where some projects have been delayed. Also,purchasing power in the provinces has declined due to the falling prices of agricultural products," he said.
       "However, demand recovered for the low-rise building sector by the end of last quarter," noted Mr Kitti.
       Despite the weak performance in the first half, he said Q-Con is still hoping to maintain its sales goal of 260 million baht for each quarter in the latter half.
       "Looking at rising orders in July and this month, we are confident that the second half will be better than the second quarter," he said.
       The company is penetrating the provincial market and creating marketing campaigns to lift volume and product prices.
       "The government is launching infrastructure projects such as mass transit rail lines, highways and roads. We will see an increase in high-rise building construction along the rail lines," he added.
       Q-Con's revenue slid 8% to 198 million baht in the second quarter with net loss decreasing to 7 million baht from 18 million the same period last year.
       Mr Kitti said profit margin this year will be on par with last year due to lower oil prices and raw material costs.
       Q-CON shares closed yesterday on the SET at 1.60 baht, up 2 satang, in trade worth 538,000 baht.