Abstract:
The purpose of this thesis is to study the marketing practices for tableware, kitchenware and household decorations of high firing glaze pottery in Chiangmai, with respect to the product, price, distribution and promotion. It is also included the problems of the manufacturers and the government role in promoting the industry. Information was collected from 9 manufacturers in Chiangmai, 500 consumer of which 200 are the consumers who used to buy and the others 300 are the consumers who ever or never buy these products. Official documents from the Industrial Service Institution , Northern Region, Industrial Promotion Department and informal interview with the retailers in Chiangmai are additional sources of information for the study. Findings indicate that production relies heavily on technical knowhow, the skills and craftsmanship of the individual. Wood is used for firing, production is found to be making use of ball clay, quartz, feldspar and other chemicals. Most labor are unskilled labor and paid in wages. In Chiangmai this industry concentrates on labor intensive and uses a small number of electrical equipment. The manufacturers can not produce to meet the orders because of the production process problems. For marketing aspect, most manufacturers have their own product s characteristics and brands. Products are completely packed by factory staff and transported by transportation firms. Competitors and middleman do not have any influences on pricing because the manufacturers can sell directly to the consumers. Promotion technique mainly used is to join the exhibitions or fairs. Analysis of consumer behavior indicated that most popular product is household decorations. Designs and usages are more important factors for buying the products than quality. The attitude towards pricing is that the selling price is too expensive and the consumers can use substitute products. Besides the consumers have no brand loyalty, they prefer green colored products and buy from the factory. Several important problems are encountered such as inadequate technology, lack of raw material, wood for firing, increasing transportation and packaging costs due to inflation. There are also problems related to product design, quality, price and promotion. Analysis of governmental intervention indicated that the Industrial Service Institute, Northern Region, Industrial Promotion Department is responsible for promoting the industry. The role of the Institute is to provide technical assistances, conduct local training courses and research including marketing assistances such as giving the information about foreign market demand and having exhibitions. The writer s opinion is that the Industrial Service Institute, Northern Region should be responsible for coordination with the manufacturers, so that they can join and help each other. However, there is no cooperation at present among the manufacturers under study.