SCGP has conducted its businesses based on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Circular Economy concepts. It therefore has focused on green materials, maximum resource efficiency and upcycling. So many materials that would otherwise be thrown away become new products with added value, thanks to SCGP, which has also promoted community-enterprise development.
Guided by the aforementioned concepts, SCGP has recently collaborated with THINKK Studio in organizing “TRANSFORMATION” Waste to Value Workshop to promote resource efficiency and upcycling. Invited to the event were members of craft-community enterprises around SCGP’s plants in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Prachin Buri and Khon Kaen, as well as design / material-sciences lecturers and students. At the workshop, participants explored ways to upcycle SCGP’s unused materials with THINKK Studio in charge of sharpening the ideas and upcycling implementation.
“TRANSFORMATION” Waste to Value Workshop
“TRANSFORMATION” Waste to Value Workshop took place amid inspiringly fun atmosphere. Discussed the workshop were four types of materials namely paper band, recycled plastic strap that is a byproduct from plastic-bottle forming, plastic tubes, and crushed recycled plastic. After THINKK Studio’s finishing touch, the upcycled materials are beautiful in design and boast added value.
THINKK Studio’s designers shared their ideas at the workshop. The first stage of the workshop was to understand more about the four materials and their different characteristics. The team then concluded that paper band should be woven in line with Thai craft of weaving. Tubes, meanwhile, should go well with that can be grasped in the hand. Crushed plastic, on its part, has solid durability and can be used for tray making.
In the next stage, THINKK Studio produced six protypes from the four materials namely a vase, a lantern, a handbag, a tray, a fan, and a tote bag. Participants then were given opportunities to make these products from the materials provided. For decoration, there were thin plastic sheets for participants to choose. These sheets were recycled from used plastic bags.
THINKK Studio – Think Circular
Mr. Decha Archjananun, Creative Director & Co-Founder of THINKK Studio offered advice on how to upcycle waste/unwanted materials as follows:
“Breathing a new life to no-longer-wanted materials or waste requires creativity. Designers need to visualize what the materials will be turned into through an experimental process that should go beyond any limit. During the workshop, THINKK Studio has already shown how to upcycle materials. Our team believes our efforts were successful and got positive response from participants. This workshop provided us with a good opportunity to interact with students who had fresh ideas as well as with craft-community enterprises that had exceptional craft skills. All sides in the workshop definitely discovered some inspirations.
“Anyone can upcycle materials. At household level, upcycling will require just basic skills. At community or industrial level, it may be necessary to design waste disposal and storage process for upcycling. However, the process design can be done in collaboration with supportive companies, government agencies or research units.
“Importantly, upcycling must focus on ensuring that its output is not only as functional as products from new raw materials but also answers well to consumers’ lifestyles. Last but not least, upcycling trend should continue because it is crucial to the environment and the world’s future.”
After poring over researches on overseas organic dairy farms, Mr. Pruitti Kerdchoochuen – founder and managing director of Dairy Home Social Enterprise Company Limited – applied his knowledge to Thai context. He started encouraging local dairy farmers to embrace organic production in pursuit of high-quality milk that can be turned into 100 percent organic products. He has lately shared his experience, business philosophy, social-enterprise concept, and views about his business partner SCGP with a LOT.
IT TAKES TIME FOR ORGANIC-FARMING SEED TO GROW
“In the beginning, we faced so many challenges. Our Learning Curve climbed up at the time no one else had tried organic farming here before. Dairy farms back then had a long value chain. Farmers did not produce all production factors. They relied on materials from various sources. In the past, dairy farms focused on quantity with every cow pressured to produce as much milk as possible. But today, our dairy farms just aim to produce an appropriate volume. Because dairy farmers can now produce proper food for cows themselves, cost is lower. Gross profit margin therefore rises. We are in no rush. Real impacts will be seen after 10 years. We understand that and we will not try to cite big profits as a motivation for farmers to switch to organic approach.
“The number of our organic farms has already risen from one to 30 today. During our journey, we have also worked with other types of organic farms. We have supported one another.”
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
Dairy Home’s social-enterprise business model was shaped by interesting goals – the production of chemical-free quality milk for consumers, the sustainability of farmers’ livelihoods, and the reduction of farming’s environmental impacts.
“Our business is a social enterprise. We take care of not just our business but also communities, society, and the environment. All stakeholders must benefit from our operations. I think a business exists to solve a problem or create a good thing. The sustainability of a business therefore depends on the benefits it delivers to consumers, communities, and the environment. Today, a business must engage all sides as stakeholders including employees, vendors, the environment, and communities.
“Presently, Dairy Home has three main product categories: 1) Ready-to-Drink Milk, 2) Yogurt, and 3) Milk Tablets and other products. We have not conducted many marketing activities for our products because we believe a product should be able to stay on in the market on its own via consumers’ word of mouth. It must not rely on just advertisements.
“In support of our continued growth, we have prepared solid plans for all parts of operations namely raw materials, demand forecast, our team’s abilities, and our plant’s capacity.
For instance, when COVID-19 outbreak forced so many people to spend more time at home, we launched products and marketing campaigns targeting these people. Our sales thus soared. Aside, we have attracted an increasing number of certified organic farmers and therefore been able to boost our capacity. On research and development, we have conducted researches in collaboration with several universities and we will continue to do so in the future so that we can constantly roll out new products in response to customers’ needs.”
PARTNERSHIP WITH SCGP, THE PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS PROVIDER
“Printing on yogurt cups used to be our pain point. While yogurt has been our major product, we have produced it in more than 10 flavors. So, the volume for each flavor is not big. Yogurt, with its short shelf life, cannot be produced in a large volume either. In the past, our staff had to manually affix flavor label on every cup. This task was quite difficult too because the body of the cup was round. Placing the label on the lid, meanwhile, would not work because lid space was too small and there would be too much white space on the cup in the eyes of consumers.
“SCGP has practically removed our pain point. Its prints for our yogurt cup are of high quality. All letters are very clear. They look nice on shelves too. SCGP has provided us with what we had long been looking for. With SCGP support, it becomes easier for our customers to choose the product from shelves. Also, our staff work more conveniently as they do not need to affix labels manually anymore. SCGP has impressed us very much. It has clear work process. Every step – be it design presentation, quotation, or prototype development – is truly professional. Work flows so smoothly with SCGP as our partner. SCGP has answered well to our needs. Not only that SCGP delivers quality, but its output really resonates with our concept.
“Today, Dairy Home also uses SCGP’s corrugated boxes. In the future, we expect to get great packaging for various other products probably ice-cream cups, milk-tablet packets or boxes from SCGP too,” Mr. Pruitti concluded
Ho Chi Minh City, Oct 22nd 2022 – The Final Round of ‘SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022 – Vietnam’ competition was hosted by SCGP at HCM Youth Culture House. Under the theme of ‘Rethink for better normal’, the competition in its second year called for breakthrough ideas from young students to re-define the “new normal” in two categories ‘Easy to recycle’ and ‘Upcycle’. Amongst the 11 finalists, team QIN from Van Lang University was named the winner with their unique idea of Mooncake packaging design. Team Magic Cat from HCM University of Technology & Education became the runner-up with the creative idea l of Jelly Zoo packaging.
As an idea-crowdsourcing contest, SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022 – Vietnam successfully delivered a playground that inspires the young generation to ‘Speak Out’ their voices in imagining, shaping and curating a better world. The final event welcomed hundreds of audiences, both offline and online via SCG Vietnam fan page. Hosting this program is a part of SCGP’s continuous efforts to promote sustainability where it operates, aligning with the corporate strategy of circular economy and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).
Mr. Sompob Witworrasakul, Chief Regional Office of SCGP shared: “One of our approaches to innovation and sustainability is having commitment and determination to bring new perspectives and development in packaging design. Organizing SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022 in Vietnam for the second consecutive year is part of our initiatives to encourage young people to show their creativity and provide a platform where their potential in design can shine through. SCGP believes that the future belongs to this young generation, of which the members are going to build and create tomorrow’s society. This is why we named the project ‘SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022’ to let them speak out and change the world through their packaging designs.”
Being one of the most affluent figures in the packaging industry in Thailand, Asst. Prof. Ake Pattaratanakun, Ph.D. (Cantab), Head of Marketing Department Chulalongkorn Business School and Chairman of Executive Committee of Thailand Post shared about the five “C” factors in a sustainable packaging design. Those include Creativity, Creation – Easy to produce, Customer Centricity, Cost and Community. As the judge for the contest, he highly evaluates the fresh ideas showcased by the Vietnamese audience at the final round.
Accordingly, two highest-evaluated proposals successfully showcased their innovative and original ideas, skillful execution, as well as appealing presentations. In particular, the winning design from team QIN explored the challenge of upgrading the packaging from understanding the needs of consumers, turning the familiar Mooncake box into handy lanterns that can be used as the traditional toys during Mid-Autumn Festival, and some parts can be used as eating utensils or stationary afterward. Meanwhile, team Magic Cat aimed to tackle the issues of packaging waste by taking advantage of the jelly box after use into a set of creative games for children. They are both notable issues for customers and packaging manufacturers.
A representative of the winning team QIN, shared: “We are surprised and truly honored to be awarded the highest prize. At the beginning, our team joined this competition seeking more a playground for creativity, rather than a race for merit. However, this competition turned out much more fruitful than we expected, as we can learn a lot from design experts as well as our fellow competitors. Nowadays, our young generation cares a lot about environmental issues and climate change, and we truly appreciate great opportunities like this to spread out the message of protecting the Earth.”
Mr. Tran Quang Tung (Tung Juno), CEO/ Creative Director at RIO Creative Vietnam, one of the jurors since the first competition last year, enjoyed grading this year’s ideas: “Competition like ‘SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022 – Vietnam’ is a great platform for young Vietnamese designers to showcase their talents and contribute ideas for changes in the industries and communities. The finalists this year gave me a pleasant headache for their quality of work. They have designed very ingeniously and methodically. With this year’s design question, all the teams had to explore consumers’ insights, understand emerging needs in the market and strategically drive their ideas to solve the customers’ demand. And similar to the previous year, local culture inspirations are cleverly employed.”
‘SCGP Packaging Speak Out 2022 – Vietnam’ has become a local think-tank for packaging design. Besides the 2 winning entries, other finalists also offer practical suggestions to shift the industry toward a more circular approach. Future designers also prioritize the use of environmentally friendly paper and ink materials to increase sustainability. This is a step forwards in improving user experience and optimizing production resources. With the quality of ideas gathered in the last two years, the program has motivated SCGP to facilitate future activities to promote the discussion of sustainable packaging in Vietnam and the region.
More sustainable packaging design ideas can be found out on the competition website at: https://thechallenge.scgpackaging.com/vn/speakout2022
SCGP announced operating results for the first nine months of 2022, with revenue from sales for the three quarters reaching Baht 112,559 million, an increase of 26% from the same period of last year. The continuous growth was the result of Merger and Partnership (M&P) in high potential business along with performance enhancement through chain integration. Look forward to a continued economic recovery post COVID-19 while focus on continuing research and development of innovative consumer packaging solutions, synergies among new and existing companies are strengthened to enlarge consumer network in new high-growth markets while driving “ESG 4 Plus” for sustainable growth.
Mr. Wichan Jitpukdee, Chief Executive Officer, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, or SCGP, announced the Company’s business performance for the first nine months of 2022 showing revenue from sales of Baht 112,559 million, an increase of 26% from the same period of last year. This was due to continuous business expansions under the M&P strategy, as well as the improved demand for food and beverage packaging following the country’s reopening and the easing of COVID-19 situation. EBITDA was Baht 15,848 million, an increase of 1% from the same period of last year. Profit for the period of Baht 5,351 million, decreased by 13% compared to the same period of last year amidst higher energy and raw material costs across industries.
For Q3/2022, SCGP’s revenue from sales was Baht 37,943 million, an increase of 19% from the same period of last year. EBITDA was at Baht 5,483 million, an increase of 12% from the same period of last year. Profit for the period was Baht 1,837 million, an increase of 3% compared to the same period of last year as a result of product price adjustment in all categories, the growth in fibrous business with major impact from the increase in pulp price, augmented demand of foodservice packaging, as well as the increase in demand for food and beverage and consumer products in the region, along with the financial consolidation of Peute Recycling B.V. (Peute), a packaging material recycling company in the Netherlands, and Jordan Trading Inc. (Jordan) of the USA.
Looking forward into the ASEAN economy from the last quarter of 2022 through to early 2023, domestic consumption and resumption of tourism are expected to continuously recover. This would lead to an improved demand for essential goods such as food and beverage, as well as other consumer products in the midst of orders’ preparations prior to year-end festivities. Packaging would continue to be an important part of supply chain continuity to serve the growing consumer consumption in the region. Meanwhile, ASEAN’s exporting sectors will be contingent to global economy. With prolonged inflation and global economic slowdown, overall demand for durable goods is projected to be weaker. The recovery of weaker than expected China’s economy will be vital factor that effects ASEAN packaging industry, while global energy cost is expected to remain high. However, freight and raw material costs, especially recovered paper (RCP), have been declining in the second half of 2022.
SCGP is confidently progressing toward the targeted sales revenue of Baht 150 billion in 2022, with strategies to pursue the sustainable growth including:
1. Focus on growth through M&P while strengthening synergies including the expansion of customer network, the offerings of product and service that respond to diversified needs and market coverage, exchange of technology know-how, development of innovative packaging solutions, joint procurement of raw materials and the cooperative development of channels to expand customer base to new regions with high growth opportunities. The Company has completed M&P in Jordan Trading Inc., a trader of recovered paper (RCP) in the USA, in Q3/2022. This strategic investment would lead to direct access of high-quality RCP in the USA which are the main raw materials that can directly help to improve the quality of packaging paper and fiber packaging. The synergy between Jordan and Peute would expedite the expansion of SCGP’s international packaging material recycling network while best practice sharing between SCGP’s recycling operations in ASEAN, Peute in Europe and Jordan in the USA would lead to improvement in operational standard of overall recycling business.
2. Proactively manage costs, increase production efficiency through operational excellence and continuously develop innovations as well as packaging solutions: The Company prudently manages cash and investment budget (CAPEX) with systematic investment approach that align with long term strategy. Relentless efforts are carried out to enhance organizational capability to manage costs and production efficiency along with regular risk management. In addition, the company also strives to develop innovative solutions with research & development spending equal to 0.3 percent of revenue during the first nine months of this year. This includes the collaboration with partners to deliver innovations and solutions that fulfill the evolving demand of customers and consumers. Most recently, SCGP entered into a partnership with 3 leading distributors of medical supplies and labware in Thailand with aim to broaden Deltalab’s customer network across ASEAN in response to the growing demand of healthcare and medical supplies products.
3. Drive the business with ESG 4 Plus framework for a sustainability including: (1) Aim for Net Zero – to reach the goal of Net Zero by 2050; (2) Go Green – increasing the proportion of environmentally friendly packaging that is recyclable, reusable, or compostable (99.7% of the total production volume currently); (3) Lean or reduce the social inequality – promoting education and careers. Recent event includes a packaging design contest for college student level to promote creative & environmentally friendly design of packaging. This event has been organized for the seventh consecutive year; and (4) Stakeholders’ collaborations with fairness and transparency – SCGP along with partners work together to bring used paper back into recycling process with aim to promote the efficient use of resources. Another notable collaboration project is in Ban Pong District which result into 86 zero waste communities.
With continuous effort to improve on sustainability, SCGP has recently been named in SET THSI Index for the second year in a row. This accolade clearly reflects the Company’s commitment to conducting business according to the ESG framework while strengthen overall operations for sustainable growth.
SCGP Foundation joins hands with Phoenix Pulp & Paper Public Company Limited in SCGP in the delivery of 500 sets of paper toilets and survival bags with consumables to help flood victims in Mueang District, Nam Phong District and Ubon Rat District in Khon Kaen Province. These areas were deeply affected by Typhoon Noru. The storm had caused heavy rain that has increased the water volume in the Chi River to flood the areas for more than 3 weeks. Phoenix has continuously visited the areas to provide assistance and give both physical and emotional support to the communities and their residents.
General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister gave the Prime Ministry’s Industry Award in the category of Environmental Quality of Conservation to Ampai Kongkar, manager-Environmental Assurance, Siam Kraft Industry Co., Ltd. in SCGP. This award underlines the dedication to conserving the environment in accordance with the sustainable development and ESG 4 Plus principles. The company pays attention to the continual improvement of production processes, making them more environmentally friendly, emphasizing resource utilization and waste management system. This includes the collaboration with all relevant sectors to improve society and environment through various activities that benefit the industrial growth of the country, promote a livable society, and create a sustainable environment. The award ceremony was recently held at Santi Maitri Building, Royal Thai Government House.
SCGP joins in a partnership with three leading distributors of medical suppliers and labware to deliver innovations and solutions for medical supplies and labware in response to the growing demand for health and medical consumer products in Thailand and the ASEAN region, and to increase the opportunity for consumers to have access to high quality medical equipment. The focus will be on improving the quality of life and public health while enhancing business growth potential.
Mr. Wichan Jitpukdee, Chief Executive Officer, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, or SCGP, revealed that in the past year, SCGP has invested in Deltalab, S.L. (Deltalab), a manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies and labware in Spain, which was an important step for SCGP in its entry into the medical supplies market that will help to strengthen the business both in the exchange of technological knowhow, as well as in research and development and the delivery of high-value medical supplies and labware to the ASEAN market where customers have become more attentive to their health, particularly in Thailand where the aging society is growing fast. Also significant is that the Thai government has instituted a policy to leverage the country to ultimately become the medical hub of the region.
Therefore, to be able to efficiently deliver products to customers, SCGP is partnering with three leading suppliers of medical devices and equipment in Thailand that possess strong distribution networks and are experts in health-related products and medical equipment. These companies are: Meditop Company Limited, Thailand’s leading importer and distributor of medical equipment, as well as laboratory analysis and scientific instruments with over 37 years of experience, and is well recognized and trusted by government and private agencies such as hospitals, universities, and pharmacies. At the same time, the company is also an exporter of medical devices and scientific equipment in the ASEAN region. Affinitech Company Limited, an importer and distributor of scientific devices and instruments, ready-to-use culture media, dehydrated culture media, automatic equipment for microbiology laboratories in the food, medicine and cosmetic industries, as well as for hospitals and universities. The company has more than 27 years of experience in the business. PCL Holding Public Company Limited, the market leader in medical analytical and diagnostic equipment in Thailand, with experience in the distribution of medical diagnostic equipment and reagents for more than 27 years. Moreover, the company has subsidiaries in the businesses of supporting modern technology applicable for medical laboratories with crucial role in the development of laboratory quality standards, along with expertise in Laboratory Information Software (LIS).
“The collaboration with these three leading medical supplies and labware distribution companies will enhance the capability for expansion of the healthcare and medical businesses in Thailand to support consumers’ applications, and to increase the opportunity to quickly access the ASEAN market, leveraging the exchange of knowhow and information leading to driving innovations and new solutions, enhancing the potential of the medicine and public health aspects to meet the needs of consumers for access to medical equipment with high standard and uplifting the quality of life for sustainability,” Mr. Wichan added.
SCGP has been continuously expanding its investment in the packaging materials recycling business in response to the surge in marketdemandfor sustainable packaging as part of the evolving consumer trends. Thishas led to the signing of share purchase agreement along with the completion of merger and partnership (M&P) for a stake in “Jordan Trading Inc. (Jordan)”, a trader of recovered paper (RCP) based in New York, the USA. The acquisition enables the Company toattain an additional100,000 tons per year of recovered paper sourcing capacity, andenhancesoperational potential through the partnership with “Peute”, the Netherlands’ largest packaging material recycling company while being able to exchange knowledge to strengthen the efficiency of the recycling operations.
Mr. Wichan Jitpukdee, Chief Executive Officer, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, SCGP, announced that the increasing trend in the demand for sustainable packaging has motivated SCGP to continuously expand its investment in the packaging materials recycling business to fulfill such demands and enhance the Company’s packaging business operation at all levels, from diversified raw materials sources, the upstream and downstream production through the integrated packaging solutions. Thus, the Company recently acquired a 90.1% stake in Jordan Trading Inc.(Jordan), a trader of RCP based in New York, the USA. This transaction is made through a newly set-up, wholly-owned, Thai subsidiary of SCGP. Payment for the 90.1% stake is the immediate US$1.98 million (approximately THB 73 million). The remaining 9.9% stake in Jordan will be held by SCG International USA Inc. (or “SCG INTL US”), which is a subsidiary of The Siam Cement Public Company Limited. The consolidation of Jordan’s financial performance will be from September 2022 onward.
Jordan is an established RCP trader with over 34 years of experience. The Company poses a sourcing network that largely spans the Mid to East coast of the USA, the largest exporting country of high-quality RCP, with annual sourcing capacity is 0.1 million tons of recovered paper per year with logistics management system that cover both inland transportation and sea freight. In 2021, Jordan recorded revenue of US$15.5 million (approximately THB 568 million), profit of US$0.1 million (approximately THB 4 million) with assets of US$3.2 million (approximately THB 117 million) at the end of the year.
The latest investment marks an ongoing investment in the expansion of its packaging materials recycling business through merger & partnership following the latest disclosure in July when the Company entered into a 100-percent stake in Peute Recycling B.V., the Netherlands’ largest packaging materials recycling and trading company of paper and plastic. This transaction is part of SCGP’s medium-term strategic objectives to enhance the capability of its packaging materials recycling business and strengthen the Company’s integrated packaging business. Moreover, the synergy between Jordan and Peute will enhance SCGP’s sourcing capabilities and international network of recovered materials. The investment in Jordan would also augment the company with direct access to the source of high-quality American Old Corrugated Containers (“AOCC”) which is key raw material that adds premium strength to packaging paper and fiber packaging production.
“SCGP is confident that this business synergy will enable company to exchange best practices and knowledge among SCGP’s distinguished ASEAN recycling network, Peute’s leading waste management model in Europe and Jordan’s efficient recycling operation in the USA with the aim to further strengthen the Company’s overall operational capability.” Mr. Wichan added.
SCGP is committed to fulfilling and facilitating the increasing preference for sustainable packaging through products ranging from pulp & paper, packaging paper, fiber packaging, performance & polymer packaging, labware, and other outstanding solutions. Currently, the Company operates over 50 facilities across Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Visy Packaging (Thailand) Limited changed the company’s name,
the casual name and the logo to Vexcel Pack Co.,Ltd. from September 1, 2022 onwards. The details are as follows;
About “Vexcel Pack”
Vexcel Pack Co.,Ltd. in SCGP, a wholly owned subsidiary of SCGP, is a leading manufacturer of high-barrier and high performance Rigid Food Packaging—the packaging that can undergo high sterilization (retort) temperature which helps maintain freshness, prevent bacteria contamination and odor leakage, as well as extend shelf life of products without refrigeration, thereby reducing the amount of waste and carbon footprint.
Vexcel Pack produces a variety of products such as cups, trays, and jars to accommodate customers’ needs. The service includes designing bright and colorful or transparent packaging that shows the products inside. All the company’s packaging and products also receive Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) and has gained recognition and confidence from the world’s leading companies in the fruit and food processing industry.
Vexcel Pack is considered the integral part of SCGP that helps strengthen the development of Rigid Food Packaging and serves the needs of leading customers who have a wide range of well-known products in the food industry.
SCGP determines to meet the needs for sustainable packaging. The company offers products from pulp and paper packaging made of high performance materials and polymers, as well as providing a variety of packaging services. Currently, SCGP have 57 production bases in several countries, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, The Philippines, Malaysia, The United Kingdom, Spain, The Netherlands and The United States.
Mr. Mahasan “Yai” Thieravarut, Managing Director of The Siam Forestry Company Limited, has worked under SCG for nearly three decades already. During his interview with P-DNA, he presented interesting work tips and encouraged everyone to have the courage to “grasp” opportunities and do something new.
ENHANCE YOUR CAPABILITY THROUGH NEW CHALLENGES
Joining SCG first as an analyst for The Siam Cement Public Company Limited, Mr. Mahasan spent about two years handling the transport of cement and building materials. He then won scholarship to further his studies at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). After his graduation, he returned as the chief of production planning for SCG’s automotive business. His new job was quite a big challenge because he had to supervise staff who were older and more experienced in the production field. But thanks to this job, he got a good opportunity to do something he had never done before.
“When SCG started laying down its own fiber optics in 1995, I helped with IT affairs and Japan-based TQM (Total Quality Management) model. So, I was later invited to set up quality management system based on ISO 9000 too. After accepting the invitation, I worked alone but successfully completed the task with the counseling help of my respected acquaintances. When 3G technologies arrived, I was among the first to use SIM cards to track transport vehicles,” he revealed.
“I always say ‘Yes’ to opportunities coming my way. I trust that my seniors know how to put the right man in the right job. Even though I may need to start from scratch in my new position, I see that as an opportunity to expand my knowledge.”
ENTRY INTO PACKAGING BUSINESS
In 2011, Mr. Mahasan stepped into packaging business as he was reassigned to manage Siam Kraft Industry Company Limited’s inventory and transport affairs. During the stint, he was most proud of setting up an automated warehouse for the firm. After that success, he landed in a new position at The Siam Forestry Company Limited.
The Siam Forestry Company Limited in SCGP has provided integrated eucalyptus services. Its services cover variety development, seedling sales, counseling on planting, and purchases of eucalyptus wood from farmers. Presently, its business has expanded to agricultural products under Khudin brand. “In the beginning, Khudin sold just organic fertilizer. At the time I moved to the firm, this brand was still little known. To boost sales and raise brand awareness, we have decided
to develop chemical fertilizer and various other farming products under the brand. Today, Khudin’s reputation has increased. We target small retailers and enjoy continued sales growth because they support quality products. At the same time, we have helped them with promotions,” Mr. Mahasan said.
ATTITUDES MATTER THE MOST
Mr. Mahasan’s good attitudes shine in his career. Optimistic, courageous, and ready to face all challenges, he focuses on pursuing his work goals. If obstacles arise, he tackles them even when they are not directly under his job responsibility. He is also inspiring. As an executive, he always motivates his team members to take up new challenges for shared goals.
“I don’t sit inside an ivory tower. I always go to work sites to see how staff have worked. I also encourage them to speak up so that we can address problems together. To innovate things, failures may happen. It is just that we must learn to prevent them from recurring. For example, when we first deployed agricultural drones, staff were reluctant to fly the devices out of concern that any crash would cost dozens of thousand baht. I nudged my team to fly the device though.
It really crashed one day. I did not ask why it plunged to the ground. I just asked my team how to prevent such crashes in the future. Learning by doing, my team has developed more skills and we can now make good use of drones,” Mr. Mahasan explained.
“In addition, I have reiterated that my staff should have Plan B ready. What if Plan A won’t work? We have to look ahead. Think what will happen, prepare many plans, and keep pace with trends,” he emphasized.
“I would like to inculcate good attitudes in everyone. Be open to new things and keep improving yourself. Do not stick with old work methods. Aside, do a lot of exercises to stay fit both physically and mentally. When we face problems, don’t get stuck. Move on,” he continued.
“Last but not least, our firm has very good management tools and technologies. So, you should use them to improve yourself and your organization. Let’s go world-class!” he concluded.
