Despite the economic depression, Thanh Thanh Dat Limited Company has still stayed firm. In 2011, the Company gained the revenue of more than VND 1518 billion, export turnover of US $60.173 million while first 9 months of 2012 has seen the fulfillment of 70 percent annual plan. Vietnam Business Forum Magazine had a discussion with Mr Tran Quang Luan, Chief Executive CEO cum Director of Thanh Thanh Dat Ltd, Co. Phan Quang – Phuong Thao report.
In such a hard year with enterprise community, what secret kept Thanh Thanh Dat staying firm?
Actually, there was no secret but trust. Since the very beginning, I chose pulp and paper flat bit as the company’s key products. People will never stop using paper, even in an economic crisis, which ensures the stable output for Thanh Thanh Dat. The input is guaranteed by abundant wattle wood zone in Nghe An.
Our company’s investment covers several areas, of which the key ones include overseas vessel, forest plantation etc, and the plants and sectors supplement each other. For example, overseas vessel helps to ensure activism in freight shipment. As for investment outside the province, it’s sincerity and guarantee of promises with localities and jobs with labors that count.
Investment into a project outside the province requires human resource to be of highest emphasis and me to participate myself. The selection of the plant location plays a crucial role, which can encounter difficulty initially but help to save costs for long term. If our plant is located far away from the harbor, the transport will take several percent of cost and obstruct the delivery. Otherwise, it is much easier.
Joining the business community, it’s unavoidable to face challenges and difficulties. Moreover, Thanh Thanh Dat once had an intention to expand to cover real estate whereas the market now is so grey.
Difficulties and challenges are unavoidable to all enterprises. However, since Thanh Thanh Dat doesn’t spread itself thin on projects, the losses in real estate are quite small. Fortunately, we haven’t jumped deep in this field.
Being an entrepreneur, I have to take many issues into account to ensure stability for employees so that they can keep trusting the company, which has been a big headache. Thanh Thanh Dat determines that a successful project results from small to big issues, which all have to be taken into account such as material supply and demand, work progress, inventory to provide plants etc. Even sometimes, we had to tackle the issue until midnight.
No matter how tired it is, never give up is my principle after years since discouragement means failure.
And the Company has made large investment into vessel teams, hasn’t it?
In 2011, the transport took US$14 million, which remains for this year. Thanh Thanh Dat currently owns 7 vessels, including 5 of 1000-tones and 2 of 3000-tones that cost nearly VND 100 billion. If we can control our vessels, we are active on transport means.
Thanh Thanh Dat is planning to buy 3 more vessels till the end of the year, which are all at level II and eligible to ship to China and some regional countries. Our success originates from tens of staffs stay overseas and at agents carry in freight. It takes only 17 hours for the shipment to arrive at the harbors, and the Company staff should be present to address any issue. The vessel’s landfall takes only 5-6 days.
Thanh Thanh Dat is now in success. Is the saying of a family and a woman behind the success of a man correct for you?
My wife is a teacher and without her, there’s none of my success. My wife is good and financial and personnel management for 1,750 employees. The happiness and trust spreads from the company to my family. In addition, there’s one thing that cannot be obviously explained by Destiny, which has kept me believe in spiritual values. Since I am not going to the pagoda or contributing to pray for wealth, I am in peace and so are my staffs.
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