bangkok - Frankfurt

    18. - 20.04.2017

    Tuesday, April 18th 2017 - Bangkok

     

    Kao Industrial

     

    The location of Kao was outside Bangkok, therefore we were already picked up at 7:00 a.m. in front of our hotel. Unfortunately, we were stuck in a traffic jam, thus we arrived with a delay of 30 minutes at 9:30 a.m.

     

    Traffic jam on the way to Kao Industrial

    The management board gave us a very heart-warming and friendly welcome. Surprisingly, they apologized for our delay and the traffic, which, in Europe, it would have been expected to be the other way around.

     

     

    Kao employees welcomed us in a very friendly fashion

     

    Presentation about Kao, held by

    Mr. Suttipong Limsila, VP (Executive Officer),

    Supply Chain & Factory Manager

    We were introduced to the management and received an overview of the agenda. During an interesting presentation, we learned more about the Japanese company Kao (e.g. the founding, turnover, their brands and different company sites).

     

     

     

    Safety equipment for factory tour at Kao

     

     

     

    Afterwards, divided into two smaller groups and equipped with helmets and earphones, we visited the factory itself.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Way to the factory halls
    (it was very hot outside - about 36 degree)

    Before entering the factory hall through a safety sluice, we had to cover our shoes with plastic film as well as washing and disinfecting our hands.

     

     

    Ralf Schellhase & Richard Bopp with special clothes for hygiene

     

    Every factory hall had many arrows all over the floor to navigate the way for pedestrians and coordinate the production process. We saw bottling plants, packaging machines and gathered interesting insights into quality checks on an assembly line.

     

     

    Filling line in Kao’s factory hall

     

     

    Packing line in Kao’s factory hall

    First tour group

    Second tour group

     

    Delicious Japanese food was served by Kao

    After the tour, we had lunch with the managing board where we  were offered a lunch box with typical delicious Japanese food. The presence of the managing board revealed their respect towards us and their high priority on our visit.

     

     

     

     

    Goodie bag for each of us
    (shampoo, conditioner and washing powder)

     

     

    At the end of the visit we received a goodie-bag with shampoo, conditioner and washing powder, produced in the factory halls which we had just visited.

     

     

     

     

    In front of the building, we took a group photo as a memory of this special visit.

     

    Group picture in front of the Kao factory

    Due to the hospitality and well-organized company presentation, Kao was one of our highlights during the whole excursion.

     

     

    BOSCH

     

    In the afternoon, we got a warm welcome at BOSCH by Mr. Christopher Bergmann, Head of Human Resources Thailand. He gave an inspirational speech about the company and his personal career. After his speech, he introduced Natalie Sumper. After her studies in Vienna she started her career within BOSCH`s “Junior Manager Program”. Currently, she is appointed for a 4 months placement in Human Resources in Bangkok. During her presentation, we learned a lot about different challenges in Human Resources for example “multiple Generations@Work” or the structure of the Junior Manager Program. The participants of this program get prepared for future executive roles over 24 months within 4-6 different assignments which also includes one assignment abroad.

     

    The next presentation about BOSCH`s business results in 2016 and Digital Economy in Thailand was held by Intira Park, Manager Corporate Communications and Brand Management. She explained, Thailand has a big potential for growth in the digital economy, due to 38 million active internet users and a mobile penetration rate of 149 %. After her speech, BOSCH provided us a small lunch box and surprised us with giveaways which included USB sticks and note pads.

     

    Group picture at BOSCH

    Ralf Schellhase and Intira Park,
    Manager Corporate Communications and Brand Management

     

    Farewell Party

     

    Professor Dr. Schellhase invited all participants of the SOA-Trip to a farewell party at Novotel, near our hotel Rembrandt.

     

    View from the rooftop bar in Novotel, Bangkok

     

    Ralf Schellhase, Richard and Ingrid Bopp
    enjoy their drinks on the comfortable sofa

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Having a stunning location at a dizzying height, we were able to take the last photos while listening to relaxing music, having some drinks and reviewing the experiences of the last days in Bangkok as well as the previous days in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

     

    Farewall Party, rooftop bar Novotel: Drinking, relaxing, talking, laughing

     

    Farewall Party rooftop bar Novotel,
    reflecting on our impressive trip

     

     

     

    Wednesday, April 19th 2017

     

     

     

    Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

     

    Around 10:00 a.m. we were picked up by Thomas Constantin from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG in Bangkok in the hotel lobby, in order to join him on his way to the office.

     

     

    Thomas Constantin Heidelberger Druck, Ralf Schellhase and
    Richard Bopp in the hotel lobby

     

     

     

    Unfortunately, we needed to say goodbye to four students, who traveled to Hong Kong. On the way to the office of Heidelberger we were able to talk to Thomas about his work and life in Bangkok as well as his experiences.

     

     

    Reception of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Bangkok

     

     

    Thomas` speech was very inspiring as he talked about the fear he had going abroad and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. He also said that the career doesn’t need to go straight forward, you can go back some steps, even if you just earn enough money to pay your rent, at least you are happy doing what you do and it compliments your personality. It was an honest and authentic speech and therefore, very pleasant, as some of us could identify with him or the situations he had experienced during his career path.

     

    Inspiring speech by Thomas Constantin, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen

     

     

     

    After Thomas` speech, we were able to try some typical fruit.

     

    Typical fruit was served by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen

     

     

     

    Leisure time & flight home

     

    After the interesting visit at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG we had the opportunity to spend the rest of the last day individually. Some went back to the hotel spending their last hours at the pool, others were searching for some food or spending some Baht for souvenirs at different shopping malls or shops on the street.

     

     

    Waiting for boarding

     

    At 7:00 p.m. we were picked up by bus to drive to Suvarnabhumi Airport. One hour later we arrived at the airport and checked in. We were able to spend the time individually until boarding at 11:05 p.m. We spent our last Baht having some dinner at the restaurants or strolling through the shops.

     

     

     

     

    Dinner in the airplane

     

     

    We departed Suvarnabhumi airport nearly on time  at 12:00 p.m. Shortly afterwards, we already got the first menu for dinner.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Well-nourished the passengers got tired and the plane became silent. Just before landing we received the second menu for breakfast.

     

    Thursday, April 20th 2017 - Frankfurt

     

     

    Breakfast in the airplane

     

     

     

    Airplane for our flight from Bangkok to Frankfurt

     

     

    Thanks to all who made this extraordinary excursion become real.

     

    Cheerio!