Imagine the daily life of an average Thai person—from waking up, brushing teeth, bathing, shampooing, having breakfast, to stopping by convenience stores during the day to buy snacks, drinks, or household items before returning home to cook and relax.
These products may come from different brands, manufacturers, and industries. However, what many people might not realize is that behind many of the goods and services we use daily, there is a company that connects producers, brands, and technologies worldwide with the Thai market. This company is called DKSH.
DKSH is a name that consumers may not recognize as readily as product brands on shelves but is one of the foreign companies that has operated in Thailand for an impressive 120 years. Even more notably, Thailand has grown to become the largest market in terms of business size for this Swiss-based group.
Looking back to 1906 (B.E. 2449), during the reign of King Rama V, international trade was gaining importance in Siam's economy. It was at this time that the business which later evolved into DKSH began operations in Thailand with only six Thai employees.
For some older generations of Thais, the familiar name may not be DKSH but “Diethelm,” which had long operated in Thailand before becoming part of DKSH today.
Over 120 years, the company has grown through various phases of Thailand’s economic development—from expanding international trade and the rise of modern industry and retail, to significant crises like the tsunami disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, the DKSH Group has a 161-year global business history, with Thailand being its largest market. It employs over 7,000 people, has more than 840 business partners, and reported total revenue of 136 billion baht last year, according to company disclosures.
Starting from just six employees to a business worth hundreds of billions of baht, DKSH exemplifies a foreign company that has grown alongside Thailand’s economy for over a century.
At the core of DKSH's business is the Market Expansion Services model, a comprehensive market expansion service that helps manufacturers and brands, both domestic and international, enter and grow effectively in the market.
Simply put, if a foreign brand wants to sell products in Thailand, it must study the market, find sales channels, establish teams, set up warehouse and logistics systems, and market to reach consumers. Instead of building these systems itself, the brand can use DKSH’s services to manage these processes.
DKSH’s services cover sourcing raw materials, market and consumer behavior analysis, marketing strategy, sales, merchandising, warehouse management, product distribution, billing, and after-sales services.
Partners can choose to use specific services or the full range according to their needs. Meanwhile, DKSH also provides market insights back to producers to help develop products and future business strategies. More interestingly, DKSH’s business is not limited to consumer goods but extends to healthcare, industrial raw materials, and advanced technologies impacting Thailand’s economy.
One strength making Thailand DKSH Group’s largest market is its full operation across four main business units: Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Performance Materials, and Technology, linking the supply chain from production to delivery to consumers.
This business is closest to Thai consumers, covering food, beverages, personal care products, cosmetics, household items, lifestyle products, and premium goods.
Currently, DKSH’s direct distribution network covers approximately 120,000 stores nationwide, including modern trade, traditional trade, and online platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
Additionally, over 1,000 merchandising staff manage product display, stock readiness, and reduce stockouts, enabling DKSH to support brands both online and offline (Omnichannel), which is crucial in modern retail.
DKSH Healthcare connects producers of medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and health products with more than 40,000 hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies across all 77 provinces, supporting over 35,000 health products.
Services include product introduction, medical knowledge support, marketing strategy, and nationwide health product storage and distribution.
This role reflects DKSH’s importance to the healthcare system, especially in efficiently delivering medicines and medical innovations to healthcare facilities and the public.
Another business less known to consumers but vital to Thai manufacturing is Performance Materials, which sources and connects raw materials, compounds, and innovations worldwide to local operators across four main industries:
The strength of this business lies not only in sourcing raw materials but also in its expert teams and Innovation Center that help manufacturers develop formulas, test properties, and enhance products for market readiness.
It is a key mechanism enabling Thai producers to access foreign raw materials and expertise to develop higher-value products.
The Technology business reflects DKSH’s expansion beyond traditional industries into science, research, and advanced technologies.
Examples close to everyday life include instruments for food quality testing, nutrient analysis, contaminant detection, and research and development technologies.
DKSH also supports universities, research institutes, and pharmaceutical manufacturers with tools and technologies to boost domestic drug R&D capabilities.
Phornnee Dalileo, CEO and CFO of DKSH (Thailand) Ltd. She revealed that although Thailand’s economy faces challenges from slow growth and weak purchasing power, DKSH Thailand has maintained growth, with each business unit performing differently according to market conditions.
Currently, Consumer Goods and Healthcare comprise about 80% of business, while Performance Materials and Technology account for around 20%.
Regarding growth strategy, Phornnee stated that DKSH’s key strength is combining international business expertise and standards with in-depth understanding of the Thai market, consumer behavior, distribution networks, and experienced personnel.
At the same time, conversations with leaders of all four business units reveal that Thailand continues to attract foreign partners across various industries, especially those aligned with global megatrends.
In Consumer Goods, Beauty & Personal Care products, especially skincare and cosmetics, are drawing more international brand interest as beauty retail outlets and e-commerce platforms expand. Meanwhile, Thai T-Beauty brands are growing alongside K-Beauty and J-Beauty.
In Healthcare, opportunities arise from growth in medical tourism, wellness centers, and longevity services, fueled by an aging society and increasing health care demand.
Performance Materials benefits from demand for raw materials for health foods, clean beauty cosmetics, and products emphasizing safety and sustainability.
Technology sees opportunities from expanding semiconductor, data center, and precision medicine industries, particularly cell therapy and gene therapy technologies gaining attention in Thailand.
These developments show Thailand’s potential to attract foreign partners and technologies, with DKSH leveraging its 120-year network and expertise to connect these opportunities with Thai businesses.
From a start of six employees to a hundred-billion-baht business spanning consumer goods to advanced technology industries, DKSH’s story reflects not only the growth of a foreign company but also the vital role of a behind-the-scenes business connecting producers, brands, and consumers with the Thai economy over a long period.
As Thailand seeks new economic engines, DKSH’s role may extend beyond importing products to linking innovations, technologies, and new business opportunities with the future of Thai industries.
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