-- Strategic partnerships with local participants vital to gain a foothold in the market

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asia-Pacific market for above the neck personal protection equipment (PPE) is expected to grow faster than its more mature counterparts in Western Europe and North America. This is mostly due to the breakneck growth of the construction sector and manufacturing industry across the emerging economies of Southeast Asia. The market in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), although saturated, is also forecast to grow, thanks to replacements, increasing technical specifications, and end users' preference for premium quality products.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Analysis of the Asia-Pacific Above the Neck PPE Market, finds that the market earned revenues of US$270.4 million in 2012 and estimates this to reach US$334.1 million in 2017.

Governments in Southeast Asia are focusing on the expansion of public infrastructure such as roads, railways, hospitals, bridges, harbors, and airports. The residential sector, which accounts for a significant percent of construction activities, is also expected to grow fast owing to rising domestic incomes and rapid urbanization. This mushrooming of buildings, along with the improving safety norms in Southeast Asia following the influx of global companies, will give a huge fillip to the above the neck PPE market.

"Global manufacturing giants have invested substantially in this region due to the abundance of natural resources and availability of cheap, skilled human resource," said Frost & Sullivan Chemicals, Materials & Food Research Analyst Shray Sharma. "However, the significant presence of both multinational and local companies has compelled competition to be price-based."

Another factor that fuels this price competition is the inflow of low-cost imports from China, Taiwan and India, which present a challenge to established participants. Since sales in the Asia-Pacific market are dominated by distributors, manufacturers need to forge lasting relationships to penetrate this geographically diverse market, expand operations, and obtain new end users.

"Some companies have explored the strategy of co-branding, in which the finished product carries the brand names of both the manufacturer and the distributor," noted Sharma. "Overall, efficient customer service and strategic partnerships with service providers and distributors are important factors to thrive in this market."

If you are interested in more information on this research, please send an email to Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications, at djeremiah@frost.com, with your full name, company name, job title, telephone number, company email address, company website, city, state and country.

Analysis of the Asia-Pacific Above the Neck PPE Market is part of the Chemicals & Materials (http://www.chemicals.frost.com) Growth Partnership Service program. Frost & Sullivan's related research services include: Analysis of the Western European Protective Footwear Market, and North American Industrial Protective Clothing Market. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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Analysis of the Asia-Pacific Above the Neck PPE Market
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Contact:

Donna Jeremiah
Corporate Communications – Asia Pacific
P: +61 (02) 8247 8927
F: +61 (02) 9252 8066
E: djeremiah@frost.com

Carrie Low
Corporate Communications – Asia Pacific
P: +603 6204 5910
F: +603 6201 7402
E: carrie.low@frost.com

Melissa Tan
Corporate Communications – Asia Pacific
P: +65 6890 0926
F: +65 6890 0999
E: melissa.tan@frost.com

http://www.frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan