DuPont Indonesia records surge in total revenues

JAKARTA (JP): DuPont Indonesia booked a hefty 28 percent increase in total revenues in the first nine months of the year, thanks to a surge in exports, the company's managing director said on Thursday.

Frank Moniaga did not disclose the amount of the revenues but estimated they would reach US$90 million for the year.

He believed the revenues, which suffered a fall at the peak of the country's economic crisis which struck in August 1997, would continue to increase in line with healthy economic growth.

"The company managed to return to growth in the third year, which is two years faster than we predicted," Frank told a news briefing.

Total exports grew 42 percent compared to the same period last year, he said, adding that he was upbeat the high export growth would continue next year.

At least 60 percent of total production this year will be exported to various countries in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States.

The United States-based chemical giant operates in Indonesia through its representative office and three joint ventures: PT DuPont Agricultural Products Indonesia (DAPI), one of the country's agricultural chemical products producer, PT Herberts Indonesia, a manufacturer of thermosetting powder coatings and publicly listed PT Branta Mulia, which produces nylon tire cord.

DuPont produces its Teflon-coated cookware products in partnership with PT Maspion.

DAPI's marketing manager Nandang Holil said the production of chemical products would be increased to meet high domestic demand.

DATI, which produces chemical products including herbicides (Ally, Karmex, Hyvar and Velpar), insecticide (Lannate) and fungicides (Benlate, Manzate and Curzate), will launch two more insecticide products next year, he said.

DATI has two manufacturing facilities in Sidoarjo and one in Pasuruan, both in East Java. The facilities have obtained ISO 9002 accreditation and are sources of supply for ASEAN countries and Australia.

Nandang said DATI also launched special programs to educate farmers about safe and proper use of crop protection products.

At least 2,500 training sessions are conducted annually for farmers in the country and at least 15 percent of each session was devoted to demonstrating the safe use of our products, he added.

The company has built 15 public baths, 50 saung (shelters used for farmers' gatherings) and distributed 50,000 protective masks free of charge to farmers, he said.

Its Teflon-coated housewares product range, with more than 90 percent of its total production exported, is the main contributor to the significant export growth.

Teflon marketing manager Blansius H. Bajang said the Teflon non-stick coating product range enjoyed 75 percent to 80 percent of market share in the country.

The company's revenue and export figures also include revenue and export earnings of Herberts Indonesia, which exports to ASEAN countries, Australia, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. It became a part of DuPont Indonesia in an acquisition in March 1999. (06)