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Copeland Corporation celebrates 7,000,000 man hours without a lost time accident

Scandinavian Village holds Swedish National Day celebrations

Thai-German Institute trains across borders

Copeland Corporation celebrates 7,000,000 man hours without a lost time accident

by Karen Roy

Copeland Corporation, a division of US based Emerson Electric Corporation, recently celebrated 7,000,000 man-hours worked without a lost time accident. This safety milestone marks the best safety record in Copeland Asia production plants, and currently stands as the second best all time record in Copeland worldwide.

Copeland commemorated this safety achievement on June 15 at their Rayong factory. The celebration began with Bruce Hoppe (managing director of Copeland-Thailand) and Steve Stewart (vice president and general manager for Copeland Asia Operations) leading their group of managers to say their prayers and give food offerings to the spirit house.

Bruce Hoppe said, "I am extremely proud of our group for reaching 7,000,000 man hours worked without a lost time accident. Our safety record is the best in Copeland Asia."

They then proceeded to the factory floor to witness a blessing ceremony conducted by nine Buddhist monks. More than 800 employees gathered to donate dry goods to the monks and participate in the religious service. Thank you speeches were then delivered by Bruce Hoppe and Steve Stewart.

Steve Stewart (left) and Bruce Hoppe (right) cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the festive occasion.

Bruce Hoppe said, "I am extremely proud of our group for reaching 7,000,000 man hours worked without a lost time accident. Our safety record is the best in Copeland Asia, and is also one of the best safety records in the whole Emerson Corporation worldwide. This proves how much we care for each other and continue to look after each other as one big family.

Bruce Hoppe, MD of Emerson Electric (Thailand), presents alms.

"Our safety record demonstrates everyone’s commitment and participation towards our safety programs, which are consistent with the Emerson safety policy. I would like to commend the plant safety committee and welfare committee for undertaking this endeavor. As I said in our plant-wide communication meeting last week, ‘nothing we do at work is worth getting hurt for.’ Our plant is one of the safest places to be in - it’s safer than being at home, and definitely a lot safer than being on the road.

Bruce Hoppe and an assistant prepare to make offerings to the spirit house.

"Our achievement does not stop at 7 million hours. We have to continue to work hard to achieve 8 million hours worked without a lost time accident. As a token of the company’s appreciation for your efforts, everyone will be treated to a free lunch at our cafeteria. We also will have a Safety Fair in the cafeteria to further promote that your safety is our first priority. Let this be an inspiration for everyone to continue to make our plant an even safer place to work."

More than 800 employees proceeded to the factory floor to witness a blessing ceremony conducted by nine Buddhist monks, then donate dry goods to the monks and participate in the religious service.

Steve Stewart added, "Looking after each other’s safety does not stop inside the plant. We should be able to bring home whatever we learn here, and make an effort to always look after the safety of our family members. I am extremely proud of your accomplishments and would like to challenge everyone to aim for the next 8 million and 9 million hours to come."

The celebration ended with a ribbon cutting ceremony, and a picture taking event with the safety and welfare committee. The free lunch and safety fair were also a great success with good food, games, and live music performed by the talented Copeland-Thailand plant staff.


Scandinavian Village holds Swedish National Day celebrations

Hundreds join in revelry at their Bang Saen paradise

June 6 has been celebrated as Swedish Flag Day since 1916, but it was not until 1983 that it officially became Sweden’s national day.

Otto Krueger welcomes the beautiful Jenjira Kerdprasop-Haxholm the reigning Miss Thailand World 2003 to the Swedish national day festivities.

The custom of celebrating the national day has taken root and grown stronger from year to year. Today almost every town has its own festivities with speeches, music and distribution of Swedish flags to private persons and associations.

Jenjira enjoying the Swedish buffet and still managing to stay so slim.

The biggest celebration takes place at Skansen, an open-air museum in Stockholm, where some 15,000 people gather together with the Royal family.

In the early 1900s, a wave of nationalistic sentiments made Swedes long for a national day. But it was not until after World War I, and as a result of private initiatives, that the Swedish Flag Day began to be celebrated on June 6.

Otto Krueger (2nd right) ensured that the guests had a great time at the party.

The date was chosen because Gustav Vasa had been elected as the King of Sweden on that day in 1523, and it is also the day when Sweden’s constitution was signed in 1809.

The National Day is still a working day in Sweden, however, and June 6 in Sweden is anything but a "folk festival". On the other hand, flagpoles are very common and on "public flag days" many blue-and-yellow banners are seen fluttering in gardens and from balconies.

This happy historical day was not to be missed by the Swedes living in Thailand who, along with their families and friends, gathered at the Scandinavian Village in Bang Saen where a celebration was held.

Otto Krueger, the executive director of the exclusive resort, played host to almost 100 people of many nationalities who traveled to Bang Saen from Bangkok, Pattaya and many corners of Thailand.

Among the beautiful people was none other than Jenjira Kerdprasop-Haxholm, the reigning Miss Thailand World 2003, who wowed the guests with her beauty and charm.

Michael J. Baines, the restaurant manager and executive chef, laid on a traditional Swedish buffet with all the trimmings befitting a Viking wedding. Guests were seen going back to the buffet often to get more of the delicious herring and salmon prepared the way only Scandinavians can prepare them.

Other delicacies included the "Wallenbergare", salmon pudding, meatballs in cream sauce and the unique "Pytt i panna". There was a large choice of desserts to satisfy that sweet tooth, and drinks flowed continuously - as it should when the Scandinavians celebrate.

Pontus Almlof, the general manager, graciously entertained the guests and had them all laughing happily when it was time to say goodnight.

Scandinavian Village Co. Ltd. was founded in 2000 as a Thai private company. The purpose of the company is to build housing in Thailand for senior citizens here, and then let them as membership living.

The company is 80% owned by the main investor SK.SA - controlled by the Krueger family. People directly involved in the project own the remaining part.

People without Thai citizenship suffer great difficulties getting permits to own land in the kingdom. Through the membership living, Scandinavian Village Co. Ltd. provides a way for these people to live in Thailand.

Scandinavian Village Co. Ltd. is the first company in Thailand to be granted the privilege to own land directly, under the applicable BOI (Board of Investment) section, although the company is fully owned by non-Thai citizens.

This is because Thailand wishes to have more visitors who stay for longer consistent periods. Senior citizens are a sought-after target group as they are not a threat to the local labor force. On the contrary, they serve as a big asset as an aware and experienced group of buyers who then can contribute to the development and prosperity of already well-established local companies.

The fully developed pilot part of the Bang Saen facility is able to accommodate some 500 residents and their guests.

The Morning After

Miss Jenjira Kerdprasop, a champion archer in her own right, and former member of the Thai National Archery Team, gives advice to students of the college of Sport Science Burapha University.

Jenjira, a picture of beauty and poise displays her expertise in archery.

Jenjira gives tips on archery to Scandinavian’s Executive Director Otto Kreuger.


Thai-German Institute trains across borders

Sue. k

Thai German Institute (TGI) has gone one step beyond the expected as the hub of technology transfer from Germany to Thailand. The further cooperation of both countries took place when TGI’s international trainers were sought after by the German organizations in the region and Europe.

Thusita, perfecting the team’s work on the wall.

With special request from GTZ in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Germany, Walter Kretschmar, the German director of TGI, and Sue, the communication and intercultural trainer, were invited to organize training workshops throughout the region on "Customer Orientation and Business Plan" and "Sales and Communication."

Who said you cannot do business and have fun at the same time? Ralph, Carlos, Susan and Marco can sure give a technical presentation in a relaxed style.

In March this year, participants from technical fields in training and supervision from various institutes, as well as the GTZ experts in Sri Lanka, and personnel directors, managers, trainers and secretaries in Malaysia joined the two 3-day "Customer Orientation and Business Plan" workshop seminars with topics including: Brain Storming Tools, Presentation Technique, Customer/ Competitors Segmentation and Needs Analysis, Development of Product/Market Matrix, Comparative Competitive Advantage, Key Success Factors, SWOT Analysis, The Four P’s, Making the Decision Papers, and Process of Professional Sales.

From left: Dr. Carlos Jahn, Dr. Rudiger Mecke, Dr. Antje Orths, Dr. Oliver Lange, Susan Gronwald, Ralph Seelmann Eggebert, Steffen Frolich, Kay Matzner, Marco Schumann, Walter Kretschmar, Dr. Steffen Strassburger, Daniel Reh, Heike Kissner, Hans Georg Schnauffer, Dr. Ina Ehrhardt, Trainer Sue, and Dr. Eberhard Blumel pose for a group photo on their completion day.

Following that, in May, Walter and Sue conducted another training session in Magdeburg, Germany on "Self-Motivation in Sales and Communication" exclusively organized for the Fraunhofer Institute, the largest research center in Germany for all fields in engineering and sciences, consisting of 58 institutes across Germany. Fifteen participants from various departments joined in this fun-filled but highly informative and interactive workshop.

Busy brains at work with their coach, Sue.

The final presentation day covered various technical fields the participants had worked on, including Virtual Development and Training, Information Logistics, Logistics Systems and Networks, Automation, Production and Plant Management, among others. Comments on the training were very positive.

Yusoff Md Sahir, the managing director of German Malaysian Institute proudly receives his achievement certificate from Walter Kretschmar.

"We have seen great improvement in our presentation skills, and learned a lot about preparation, including focusing on Fact-Benefit-Evidence as the focus of sales. Moreover, it was a great chance to practice and improve our spoken English in this workshop," said Dr. Carlos Jahn, Logistics Systems and Networks.

Sopiah Rosly proudly receives her achievement certificate from Walter Kretschmar.

"I like the fresh and interesting way of training by Sue and Walter," said Dr. Rudiger Mecke, Virtual Prototyping.

"Sue did a very good job in leading us through the training parts, creating an open and harmonic atmosphere, focusing on the major points," said Dr. Eberhard Blumel, Virtual Development and Training.

"Walter’s experience in Sales Industry was a great contribution."- Dr. Steffen Strassburger, Virtual Development.

"You made a team out of a group of individuals within 3 days," said Dr. Antje Orths.