SOSUCO: Linking Production Efficiency with Stabilizing Labour Lives

SOSUCO was established in 1996 and started production in 1997. Right from the first days of operation, SOSUCO was very interested in and focused on improvement, the application of scientific advances in production techniques to improve operational capacity. From an initial capacity of 1,000 tonnes of cane / day, at present the plant's capacity increases to 2,700 tonnes of cane / day and the next time it will be raised to 3,500 tonnes of cane / day. The promotion and sale of products also will be paid more attention with the construction of agent systems, and extensive product showrooms in Can Tho, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces. The company also signed a contract in sugar distribution at Co-op Mart nationwide, gradually positioning Soc Trang sugar brand on the market.

 

Thanks to the comprehensive implementation of solutions in the areas of trademarks, industrial property, standards, metrology and quality, SOSUCO’s brand of white sugar is used by many consumers. Especially with the application of the quality management system and ISO environment 9001:2000, products of SOSUCO offer the market stable quality and competitive prices, meeting people's demand and proud to be granted the "Farmer’s Friends" Vietnam Gold Star Award, National Brands, and ISO Cup for many years. When the brand was established, SOSUCO had more domestic and foreign partners to learn and set up business cooperation.

 

Identifying that the materials areas are significant to the existence and development of SOSUCO, after privatization, the company has a series of sound policies consistent with sugarcane growers in purchasing and investment in raw materials. From attempting to accompany the farmers and with the support of the Party committees and local authorities, the raw material areas of the company are expanded. Besides the production technology investment, processing, construction of stable raw material sugarcane, and implementation of transparent management policy, SOSUCO is also interested in working for the environment. The emission of the plant is treated with modern air filtration system, ensuring environmental friendliness and avoiding pollution.

 

In the first 6 months of 2012, although facing many challenges, especially continuous lower sugar prices, with the initiative to improve productivity, product yield and quality; and maximize cost savings, SOSUCO completed outstanding objectives and production reached 420,000 tons, increasing 40,000 tons over the plan; similarly, required sugar reached over 38,000 tons, increasing 5,000 tons. Since 2009, SOSUCO has installed electricity generation from bagasse with capacity of 3 MWh, and invested in electricity transmission system to the local grid. Thanks to the use of bagasse for power generation, the Company no longer has to rely on power from the national grid system; electricity produced from each hour of operation of the power system using bagasse helps the company have enough power to use, contributing to cost saving and be more active in production.

 

Along with effective production and business operations, the material and spiritual life care of the nearly 400 staff members has always been emphasized and harmonized with production efficiency of the enterprise by SOSUCO. Workers’ increasing incomes have encouraged stability in life, helping them be more confident to commit long term to the Company, in order to continue the journey of SOSUCO brand confirmation in the market, as well as contribute to the development of agricultural economy of the province.