Guardian Glass opens new Asia-Pacific headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand

PHOTO - FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: GUUS BOEKHOUDT; DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF LUXEMBOURG - HEM ETIENNE SCHNEIDER; DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PRIME MINISTER FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS - DR KOBSAK POOTRAKOOL; MINISTER COUNSELOR FOR COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS & ASEAN REGIONAL SENIOR COMMERCIAL OFFICER AT THE US EMBASSY IN BANGKOK - MR. JOHN BREIDENSTEINE; ALEXIS UNDERWOOD

Guardian Glass by; Mr. Guus Boekhoudt, Executive Administration Vice President, Guardian Industries and Ms. Alexis Underwood, General Manager Asia Pacific welcomed today H.E. Mr. Etienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Dr. Kobsak Pootrakul, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, together with Mr. John D. Breidenstine, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, ASEAN Regional Senior Commercial Officer, Embassy of the United States of America, Mr.Tossapol Pengsom Vice Minister, Ministry of Energy of Thai Government, at the opening of its new, state-of-the-art regional headquarters and Customer Service Hub for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The new facility, in the center of Bangkok, is a collaborative space that forms the base for the global manufacturer’s Asia-Pacific business. Around 50 Guardian employees will work at the new hub, including general management and administration, marketing, supply chain, sales, finance and HR roles.

The move will enable Guardian to more efficiently and effectively serve its customers. Customers in the region will have a more seamless experience, dealing directly with a single customer service team rather than communicating directly with individual Guardian Glass plants.

Alexis Underwood, General Manager for Guardian’s Asia Pacific region, says: “Physically we are now closer to our customers in the region, as well as the heart of the industry. Our customers, architects, interior designers and developers will benefit from an integrated system, managed by a skilled team with shared knowledge and expertise centralized in one location.”

Underwood says the new offices will foster collaboration. “Employees who were previously in different places can now work side by side, which will create efficiencies, improve services and allow us to share knowledge more efficiently both internally and with our external partners.”

Guardian first invested in Thailand in 1991, launching a float glass plant in Nong Khae. A second glass plant was built in Rayong, in 1996, and Guardian has continued to invest and grow in the country. More than 50% of Guardian’s business is now exported outside of Thailand.

“We’re excited to continue expanding our presence in Thailand,” says Underwood Guardian Glass is committed to the APAC region and this next step in our transformation comes on the heels of our recent lamination line investment.”

Guus Boekhoudt, Vice President of Guardian Glass, Europe, adds: “Our new headquarters in Bangkok will enable us to continuously improve and transform, capitalize on industry trends, drive product innovation and create value for our customers.

“I want to thank the many individuals and capabilities across Guardian Glass, Guardian Industries and Koch Industries that are supporting this initiative. It truly is a team effort. The story of Guardian Glass in Thailand would not have been possible without support along the way from the government of Thailand, local authorities, our partners and customers in the region, and our employees.”