MD’s Message
Dear Stakeholders and Readers,
It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility that I address all readers in my new role as Managing Director of Southland Rubber Group. As we move forward into new chapter, I’m dedicated to continuing to lead with our 4 business core values: respect, integrity, passion, and vision, fostering a culture where sustainability isn't just a goal but a way of life. From our supply chain to our operations, from our workplace culture to our community engagement, sustainability will guide our decisions and actions.
In the year of 2023, the global economic landscape has returned to a state of normality after the second consecutive year of COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, business sectors still grapple with linked challenges, whether they be the economic instability and surging commodity prices from geopolitical tensions, disruptions of agricultural activities due to climate change, and the complexity of digitalization and artificial intelligence. Despite these pressing circumstances, it's imperative that we continue to prioritize and make progress in our sustainability development. We implemented measures, projects, as well as activities as our strategies to mitigate our operational impacts and promote sustainability across society, environment, as well as, economy.
In the pursuit of our sustainable development, the Company will inevitably face a spectrum of challenges including global economic uncertainty, global demand for agricultural land which can accelerate to deforestation and habitat loss, and climate change which is expected to become more serious in the next year. In 2024, Southland Rubber Group will continue to ensure steadfast management aligned with our sustainable principles while also remaining adaptable and responsive to change, motivated by our business motto: Think Good, Better Will Follow.
Greening the Future
Thailand has set a national goal of achieving the long-term goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. We recognize our responsibility as a major natural rubber company and would like to make a major contribution to achieving this goal. In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, we are first planning to transition all STR factories to fully use renewable energy by 2025, and are also considering the use of biomass energy
We are keenly aware of the interrelationship between biodiversity and climate change, and have been promoting tree planting to date with the aim of regenerating nature within the factory grounds and restoring a sustainable ecosystem. As part of our further mitigation efforts, we expanded the scope of our activities and began a biodiversity survey in the area surrounding our factories, aiming to achieve a Nature Positive attitude. Through this, we will accurately understand what impact that our business has on the surrounding nature and how dependent we are on it, and proceed with activities to realize Nature Positive. In addition to these activities, we are currently making every effort to prepare for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will come into force at the end of 2024. We aim to realize deforestation free natural rubber by utilizing the internal platform developed to support the traceability of raw materials.
Additionally, we consider air pollution control, including odor, to be an important aspect of our business in order to protect the health and well-being of both our employees and the surrounding community. We have set a goal of zero complains at all of our factories, and we have already achieved this goal, but we will continue to strive to further reduce exhaust gas and odor compounds to maintain zero complains.
Safety First, Social Impact Always
Human resources are an important foundation of our Company's operational activities. At Southland Rubber Group, the safety and health of our employees is our top priority. Regarding workplace safety, we carry out activities that emphasize the safety-first mindset of our employees, including safety risk assessments, safety preventive measures, and various activities to promote a culture of safety. Our goal is to "achieve zero accidents in the workplace," and we are making every effort to implement risk assessments, implement KAIZEN to reduce risks, ensure that PPE is worn, thoroughly implement safety morning meetings, utilize OPL, and share accident information. We will diligently carry out these proceedings.
Our long-term vision is to build an inclusive society where all individuals, regardless of background or identity, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and to support community resilience. As part of this, we also focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in our corporate environment to ensure equal opportunity and representation for all individuals, and as part of this we actively promote the appointment of women to supervisors and management positions. We will continue to pursue this vision.
Excellence Across the Supply Chain
Our mission is to "supply high quality natural rubber and continue to be a trusted supplier.“ In order to ensure product stability and reliability in collaboration with customers, all 17 factories conduct two-stage internal audits: in-house audits and central audits by the head office. In addition, we incorporate ISO audits by external auditing organizations and factory visits by customers in an effort to improve the level of process control and quality control
Our Company relies heavily on natural rubber, a natural resource derived from nature, tapped and delivered to us. To this end, we aim to establish a sustainable supply chain by providing information and various skill development opportunities to raise awareness of sustainability among our suppliers. As part of this effort, we will prioritize establishing traceability of raw materials in collaboration with our customers.
We invite you to delve deeper into our sustainability journey by exploring our Sustainability Report. This report encapsulates our commitment to responsible practices, our progress, and our aspirations for a greener future.
Ng Tze Kiat
Managing Director
* The content of this message was originally posted on Southland Rubber's Sustainability Report 2023.
* The English version of the message shall prevail over the Thai translation.
