Minor International Plc (MINT), founded five decades ago by a 17-year-old William Heinecke with initial capital of US$1,000 and a handful of employees, is one of the few truly global Thai companies.
Minor's empire spans 549 hotels, 2,130 restaurants and 429 retail outlets in 64 countries across five continents.
Mr Heinecke, 69, in his capacity as chairman of SET-listed Minor, yesterday outlined his ambitious goals, saying the company hopes to grow bigger over the next few decades.
Minor has set its sights to expanding existing businesses both domestically and internationally, bring some such as lifestyle fashion to global recognition.
He said the company will emphasise five core values: customer focus, people development, partnerships, results-oriented strategy and innovation.
"Minor International is today capitalised at $5.4 billion [176 billion baht] and counts on the efforts of over 80,000 people around the world," Mr Heinecke said. "We have strong momentum behind us and immense opportunities ahead of us. This is a time for Minor to further strengthen our ties with our valued partners and stakeholders."
Mr Heinecke said the company will focus on expanding the three core businesses: hotels, food and lifestyle.
For the hotel business, the company will continue to invest in both its own hotel brand and hotel management as well as launch a new hotel brand in new and existing markets regionally.
The company will also seek new opportunities from mergers and acquisitions and expand into mixed-use developments to enhance its hotel business.
Minor International is a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 164 hotels and serviced suites under various brands including The Anantara, AVANI, Oaks, Tivoli, Marriott, Four Season, St Regis and Radisson Blu in 26 countries across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America.
The company has also reinforced its strategic expansion into Europe and South America with a 45% stake in NH Hotel Group, a leading operator of city-centre hotels listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange.
NH Hotel Group provides Minor International with a portfolio of 385 hotels and almost 60,000 rooms under the NH Collection, NH Hotel, Nhow and Hesperia brands in 30 markets across Europe, the Americas and Africa.
Mr Heinecke anticipates getting a total shareholding in NH Hotels of 55-65% after the tender offer concludes. It would be the largest acquisition in company history.
For the food business, the company plans to launch more brands and innovative products under its portfolio to meet customers' complicated demands.
Minor wants to try to use digital tools to connect with its customers on personalised formats.
MINT shares closed yesterday on the SET at 40 baht, up 50 satang, in trade worth 561 million baht.
