On Monday 7th July, after touring to the Lion Grove Garden and the silk factory where the fascinating and famous places in Suzhou city were, our next visit was BlueScope Steel (Suzhou plant).
BlueScope Steel is the global leader in metallic coated and painted steel products in terms of high quality products with high quality control. The company has a manufacturing and marketing footprint in many countries around the world: China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, India, Singapore and North America. Our group from Monash Marketing China Study Program had a great opportunity visiting BlueScope Suzhou which is an award winning, modern, world class manufacturer of high quality metallic coated and pre-painted steel.
Before our group arrived at the BlueScope Suzhou plant, I had been thinking that this plant would be similar to other factories that we have passed by. Unexpectedly, it was totally different to the others because it is painted with various colors and the shape of the factory is a “Dragon” representing a giant and powerful influence in China.
The presentation started with a video about the Suzhou plant, followed by a power point presentation by Michel Hussey, vice president manufacturing of BlueScope Suzhou. He provided rich information and facts about the plant including the key areas that the company focuses on. In 2006 the plant was build in Suzhou which involved the biggest Australian capital investment in China (AUD$280 million). Products of BlueScope Steel give an emphasis on offering innovative products and inspired steel solutions to better serve the needs and wants of Chinese customers, comprised of two major brands: COLORBOND? Pre-painted Steel and ZINCALUME? Steel. In the present time Bluescope Suzhou employs 250 employees per contractors on site, but approximately 20,000 employees in 24 countries around the world.
After the presentation Mike and his colleague Jeff took us on a tour around the factory. Safety is one of important factors for BlueScope Suzhou and so our group was required to wear protective gear when we walked around the factory. It was a great experience and one that we had never had before. Within the factory we saw various machines and mechanical devices that were controlled by a small number of employees. It can be said that BlueScope not only focuses on high quality of products and delivery performance, but also on cost control in order to generate the great products for customers together with a gaining profitable outcome for the company. Moreover, their backward integration model was discussed in terms of building brand and market presence, and also establishing customer relationships with the aim of constantly managing demand.
We would like to say thank you very much to Mr. Michel Hussey and his team for allowing Monash students and staff to visit BlueScope Suzhou, and providing rich and in-depth information, including answers to all our questions.
