Last month, Sennics, a Sinochem International company, started to build its polymer additives factory in Thailand. This will be the first overseas production facility for Sennics. It will further reinforce the global leadership position of Sennics in this segment.
Why did Sennics choose to build its first overseas production facility in Thailand?
What is Sennics' secret to be the leader in the world?
Recently, Su Fu, Deputy General Manager of Sinochem International and CEO of Sennics, talked with the employees on video about Sennics' new journey of going global.
(1) Why did Sennics choose to build its first overseas factory in Thailand? When will it be put into operation? And what is its significance to Sennics?
Su Fu: Building the factory in Thailand is very important to Sennics. It indicates that Sennics is changing from a company of local production and global sales to a company of global production and global sales. We have really embarked on a new journey toward international expansion. It is a very exciting goal for over 1,700 people at Sennics, giving us a great sense of responsibility and a lot of pressure as well.
▲ The construction of Sennics' polymer additives factory in Thailand began in March
The Rayong Industrial Zone where our factory is located is the most important industrial zone in Thailand with factories of many world-famous automakers. There are also many raw materials providers in the industrial zone serving those automakers. We choose to build our new factory there in order to become a very important part of the supply chain for many of our customers, so that we can provide more important and more convenient local services for them.
On the other hand, because of its location, Thailand is able to cover the entire Southeast Asia, and is also a very important part of the supply chain for the global auto industry. By leveraging Thailand's political, economic, cultural, business environment and other advantages, we will be able to reach customers and industries in Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and even the whole world.
The construction of the Thailand factory already began on March 9. We hope that it can be completed and put into operation by the end of 2020. After completion, it will be a world-class factory that is most automatic and most advanced, being able to provide new services with a higher added-value for our customers around the globe.
▲ An artist's rendition of Sennics (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
(2)How will Sennics make the Thailand factory a "green factory"?
Su Fu: We had made it clear that our new factory has to be sustainable, environment-friendly and resource-saving when we decided to build it in Thailand. We took its environmental, community and societal impact fully into consideration. The technology we will use for this factory is Sennics' own most advanced technology, which once won a second prize of the National Science & Technology Progress Award.
In designing and building our Thailand factory, we also wanted to make sure that the "agile supply chain" and "smart factory" concepts will be integrated into the operation of the factory in the future. We will form an "agile supply chain" with our downstream customers, to increase the efficiency of our supply chain and reduce the consumption of various environmental resources and raw materials to the maximum extent possible.
(3) Can you share with us the latest trends of the polymer additives industry as well as Sennics' strategic direction?
Su Fu: With the development of high-performance and lightweight materials as a whole in China, the demand for additives is also growing. The industry also really needs more innovators and leaders to drive its transformation, upgrading and progress.
Sennics made clear in its new strategic plan (the 2018 edition) that it will spare no effort to drive product diversification and service diversification under the guidance of the "In Science We Trust" philosophy. We will spend 3-5 years to venture into some new segments of the polymer additives industry that offer a higher added-value and a higher growth rate and require stronger customer service capabilities, to make Sennics a "ten-billion-yuan" company as we have envisioned.
(4) How will Sennics ensure its competitive edge in the industry?
Su Fu: Sennics is now the leading manufacturer and supplier of rubber antioxidants in the world. I believe that, for a leading polymer additives provider, it is a leader not just because of its size and sales, but also, more importantly, because of its ability to lead in sustainable development. As a responsible manufacturer of fine chemicals, we always pursue sustainable development as a must, and always strive to be green, energy-saving and safe. This is our secret to achieve sustainable development, and is also our core competitiveness.
First, we always follow the "In Science We Trust" philosophy and look at technology and innovation as the key drivers for the company's growth. Second, we always work on HSE as the company’s core competitiveness. Third, we always work on an "agile supply chain" and "smart manufacturing" as the new drivers for the company's transformation, upgrading and industrial development. Fourth, we always align the company's development with the development of our communities, our industry and our employees, aiming to become a company that is comprehensive, sustainable and growing.
(5) In the past year, what breakthroughs had Sennics achieved in driving its strategy? What are your plans for market expansion and global operations in the future?
Su Fu: The year 2019 was indeed a very crucial year for Sennics. First of all, Shandong Huahong acquired by us celebrated its first anniversary in the Sennics family, and the acquisition further reinforced our strength in the rubber antioxidants industry. Second, our insoluble sulfur project achieved full-fledged operations in 2019. Third, we started to build Sennics Lianyungang on October 20, 2019.
▲ The construction of Sennics Lianyungang began on October 20, 2019
As Sennics is shifting from a manufacturer of rubber additives only into a manufacturer of comprehensive polymer additives, we will further broaden our portfolio, application areas and customer types, and will accelerate our pace of becoming a multinational company.
We are committed to changing from a company of local production and global sales to a GLOCAL company in 3-5 years. GLOCAL means global production and local sales. We are committed to becoming an all-weather partner for our customers. This is a dream for all of us at Sennics.