Our Portfolio > Distri-Thai
Company Description
| Initial investment date | Dec 2001 |
| Current Navis Ownership | 100% |
| Country | Thailand |
| Status | Realized |
Distri-Thai is the leading distributor in Thailand and the Philippines of English and European language periodicals. The company, which has a virtual monopoly, distributes over 700 newspapers and weekly and monthly periodicals. In addition, the company’s Bookazine bookstore chain has become the second largest foreign language bookstore chain in Thailand with 14 stores.
Distri-Thai was established by an expatriate who sold the business for retirement planning reasons but who continued to advise the company. Since its inception, the company has been highly profitable and, through strong publisher relations and execution excellence, continues to dominate this niche in Thailand.
Investment Rationale
- Dominant near-exclusive position in niche sector
- Expansion of business model into own branded retail stores
- Further growth potential through additional wholesale growth to new retail points-of-purchase
- Excellent rapport with selling shareholder who retained valuable consultancy role