Since it went public, Savimex Economic Cooperation and Import-Export Joint Stock Company has continuously constructed, developed and renovated to assert its name on the market and perform as a leader of the Vietnamese export wood processing industry. During its development history, all employees have spared no effort to push the corporation forward. Thus, Savimex has not only made long strides in production and business capacity with spacious working facilities and modern equipment but also taken care of spiritual and material life of its employees.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Savimex was known as a leading wooden furniture manufacturer and exporter in Vietnam as it was powered by Japanese equipment, a professional workforce trained by Japan and an experienced board of directors. These elements were the pride of Savimex’s employees. But, life and business were not always as smooth as we expected. In 2008, amid global and domestic economic downturn, prices of input materials surged and inflation escalated worldwide. The global financial crisis drove many major economies into recession. The demand for wooden furniture made by companies like Savimex contracted.
Before those challenges, the Board of Directors decided to merge Savi Wood Technology Factory (Saviwoodtech) into Savi Export Furniture Processing Factory (Satimex) to upgrade them to a branch of Savitex Factory. The merger of the two facilities resulted to an overall reshuffle in management, production as well as customer service. Particularly, there was a huge change in working conditions and environment. With appropriate and aggressive solutions, Savimex quickly stabilised operations, created the trust of employees, strengthened the relationship with primary customers, boosted productivity, reduced production costs, improved production capacity, and enhanced competitiveness to meet the market demand in the context of global economic crisis.
In addition to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 international standards, Savimex applied SA 8000 programme - a testament to the efforts of the Executive Board to employees and foreign customers. Apart from exporting wooden products, Savimex gradually secured its footing on the domestic furniture market as well as the carton box market. Despite difficulties anticipated in the coming years, with its current platform, Savimex will definitely overcome all difficulties it faces.
Remarking on the amalgamation, General Director Bui Ngoc Quoi said: “The merger of two factories occurred in the extremely difficult context but it opened up a mixed blessing for us to assert the position of Savimex. With sound orientations, powerful production capacity and dynamic management, and dedicated employees, we are confident to increase domestic market shares and increase exports to Japan, the US and the EU.”
In response to the “Buy Vietnamese” campaign - a movement launched by the Politburo to encourage Vietnamese consumers to give priority to locally madesp before foreign brands, and in line with the domestic market development strategy, Savidecor Enterprise - affiliated to Savimex - opened a woodwork showroom at 741-743 Hau Giang Road, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City in 2011. The 600-square meter modern-designed showroom displays Savimex’s unique products. The domestic market expansion affirms the capacity of Savimex and diversifies options for consumers in Vietnam.
Speaking about sustainable development direction for Savimex, Mr Quoi added: A company must live on its profits but a sustainable profit requires proper investment, particularly for human resources. It is undeniable that the current success is resulted from the way Savimex uses its human resources. Being aware that humans are the core of successful and sustainable development, Savimex pays great attention to creating fair conditions for all employees to perform their best abilities. Especially, the company always pays notice to improving material and spiritual life of employees to encourage them to devote their best capacity to the company. All staffs are encouraged and supported to study and improve professional qualifications and skills. Their initiatives help the company improve productivity, apply technologies and reduce costs. With its persevering effort, Savimex has built up a united workplace where all employees call it a common home. In the future, if the company moves its facilities out of the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City, the first thing it will do is to ensure housing for employees.
In addition to impressive success as well as rapid ripple effect Savimex brand, the above merger asserts the company’s ability to attain sustainable development. Every effort ad innovation is rewarded by with the sweet fruits and breakthroughs in all aspects. With that foundation and endeavour for continuous innovation, Savimex will always grasp and master market trends to achieve best performance, secure a high place for SAVIMEX in particular and the Vietnamese wood processing industry in general on the international market.
Van Luong
Vietnamese
