MEGA Tech was honored for having an opportunity to interview with Mr. Chirapan Oulapathorn, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sumipol Corporation LTD and the founder of Sumipol Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTec). In this regard, Mr. Chirapan shared the strategic pillars upheld at SIMTec Institute. As a private vocational training school, SIMTec was founded upon the collaborative efforts of the fourteen professional public and private establishments. In addition, SIMTec also received warm supports from over twenty industrial machinery and equipment manufactures. These collective actions responded to growth and investment in the emerging Eastern Special Development (EEC) zoning, contributed to workforce skill development, and transformed Thailand into an Industry 4.0 economy at speed.
Mr. Chirapan recounted the early days at SIMTech, “The school has opened since late 2019. At the time, we standardized the curriculums, and the student recruitments process was on, respectively. Just a few months later, the COVID-19 outbreak was onset. The situation has developed into a global pandemic crisis in late 2020. All classes suspended since the late second quarter of 2020. Specific ongoing collaborative programs continued with highly precautious conditions and limitations. For example, these were the government partnership training and the industrial workforce development programs. The latter were primarily employees in manufacturing sectors and the graduating students.
Later on, we re-designed our training programs using combinatory learning logistics that delivered online and on-campus learning experiences. The school did not shut down to some extent since we managed to open specific programs. Apart from training activities, the school also opened for visiting. It attracted an array of visitors from both private and public agencies. In the meantime, SIMTec launched a major curriculum improvement initiative to align the training programs with the new normal according to the pandemic crisis developing and changes. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis worsened due to its mutation resulting in rapid spreads, whereas the governmental administration failed to secure vaccinations during early 2021.
Toward the end of 2021, the crisis slightly improved, and the ongoing collaborative programs were electronically conducted only. Perhaps, it is about time to resume our training services once for all. Therefore, we, the SIMTec team, have come together to streamline our training programs by employing the combinatory learning approach where learning experiences are primarily delivered online. To date, we have continued improving our curriculums and more than ever been ready to debut our three newly developed training program concentrations in 2022 onwards. While preserving our professional legacy and standards,
Curriculum One has adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and technological changes. Still, machinery strategy, measuring innovation, and factory automation is at the curriculum’s heart.
Curriculum two results from academic collaboration among SIMTec and the selected public agencies to design specialized training programs concentrated on metrology and quality control systems. Mr. Nantawat Tanasarnsreniwanich, the program manager, delightedly recounted, “The recent training program was “Dimensional Measuring Instruments Operation and Maintenance,” which heavily focused on the latest technologies and tools. The training programs were offered to vocational students nationwide, and participation was made through online registration. More than 2,100 students from 50 vocational schools attended the event for three days. In addition, SIMTec handed out training achievement certificates upon completing the training assessments. The event was by far considered very successful.
Mr. Chirapan also added, “individuals completing training program earn achievement certificates by submitting the feedback questionnaire to the event organizer, SIMTec. Analytical insights obtained from the feedback will utilize for training programs’ quality and effectiveness in future events.
Curriculum three is specially and specifically designed by-and-for SIMTec with an emphasis on intelligent manufacturing technology, reflecting SIMTec’s technological roadmap and goal. Mr. Kiatisak Keshsathira, the Manager of the Service Engineering Department, highlighted “This curriculum honestly answers to what the industrial entrepreneurs needs. With accumulating 33 years—and counting—of solid industrial manufacturing experience at Sumipol, we have mined industrial manufacturing expertise that offers solutions at work, particularly in machinery & equipment, measurement, and intelligent manufacturing.
Moreover, our partnership with an array of technologically advanced diverse manufacturers from Japan has become a perfect complement to any emerging industrial challenges. By combining these three components with IoT and automation technologies, we are confident in delivering digital transformation solutions to our clients in every industrial sector. Mr. Pongphun Chaigul, partnership development manager, added technological perspectives, “The industrial domain experts in Japan have shared their advanced knowledge with our SIMTec engineering team, which collaborates with an extensive professional network of veterans from various industries and professors of practice affiliated with elite higher education institutes located in Thailand. With our human capital bank and access, we are empowered to incubate in-house mentoring trainers (the trainers who give training to trainers), providing necessary entrepreneurial and technical mentorship to local businesses. Now and then, this up-lift effort is thoughtfully contributed to Thailand’s ongoing Industry 4.0 development.
Mr. Chirapan went on that besides the three curriculums mentioned earlier, SIMTec also offers seasonal crafted training programs with sponsorships from public administration agencies. One of the programs was the “Digital Manufacturing Program,” targeting (1) entrepreneurs and (2) academia.
(1.) Manufacturing system design and implementation introductory program sponsored by the Division of Innovation and Industrial Technology Development (DIITD) aimed at proactive entrepreneurial performances using reskilling and upskilling training approaches.
(2.) The programs developed under the sponsorship from Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA):
– Digital Manufacturing and IIoT programs at digital workforce readiness join the labor market.
– Literacy in Artificial Intelligence Technology aimed at digital workforce readiness in vocational education schools in ECC areas.
The goal is to prepare vocational students in the EEC area to join the labor market
In the big picture, SIMTec services professional training with online and on-campus formats to the industrial manufacturing workforce and enthusiastic job seekers. Founded upon cooperation among governmental administrative agencies, universities, and educational institutions, notably the Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology, SIMTec has firmly continued co-developing curriculum and programs with the participating manufacturers to meet the industry’s needs and expectations. In this regard, rigorous training assessment ensures the integrity and ability of the programs and the participants, so only those who met the 80% requirement are qualified to earn the training achievement certificates endorsed by SIMTec.
Collaborative Programs with Japanese Agencies
Mr. Chirapan continued, “SIMTec received sponsorship from the Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnerships (AOTS) under the endorsement of Japan Ministry of Trade Economy (METI). The critical requirement was to address specific critical industrial manufacturing agendas in the programs. Low-cost automation programs, for instance, focused on investment and access to an automation system by introducing specific low-cost manufacturing processes. For another instance, Future inspection programs emphasized improving measurement process efficiency with a digital measurement approach instead of people.
These collaborative programs aim to recruit 3,000 fundamental and 800 advanced training students annually. Each course has a duration of 1 to 5 days as appropriate. In addition, SIMTec Institute receives partial funding from external organizations that have cooperated with the long-term course. These funds are used to develop quality personnel. and prepare to work in the next order.”
From Customer satisfaction to social responsibility
Mr. Chirapan went back to SIMTec’s origin, “The idea on foundling SIMTec emerged at Sumipol. As a manager assigned to industrial manufacturing machinery distribution, which offered an extensive array of equipment and tools, it was my responsibility to advocate and educate customers on products and their functions. Sumipol has always taken seriously human capital development. We have known for our outstanding training programs in industrial manufacturing, quality control, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturing optimization. Therefore, it was just about time that the decision to found SIMTec was made. The prime objective was to develop well-rounded professionals in response to the market and contribute to Thailand’s social, economic, and technological development policies.
Toward the end of the interview session, Mr. Chirapan made her final remark, “nowadays, competition is fierce and intense and worsened by technology disruption. Nevertheless, we have always committed to sustainability and growth as a priority for consumer social responsibility, reflecting our missions and corporate identity. At Sumipol, we count not only machinery, training, and service but also people at the heart of our business so that you can always count on us.“
Upon the interview sessions ended, Mr. Chirapan kindly shared with us that “Sumipol has deployed short-termed and intermediate-termed business plans; we, however, have shifted our 2022 plans to position ourselves as a “Technology-led Company.” This change led to our new slogan from “Tool Professional” to “Agile Technology,” which reflects agility and the ability to adapt to technological changes like a tech company. Also, we plan to increase the technical engineering workforce and educate our staff to master their knowledge on the products the company carries. We are collectively and creatively thinking and acting as a team since Team Sumipol’s DNA will always allow customers to thrive.
Article by: MEGA Tech
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