RUBBER NEWS

Ben Thanh Rubber: Advancing Technology and Digital Transformation to Boost Operational Efficiency

Posted on by content02.vinahugo
14
Oct

In recent years, Ben Thanh Rubber JSC has been one of the top-performing industrial product manufacturers within the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG). Its products — including conveyor belts and rubber belts (courroies) — have steadily gained market trust for their quality, stable pricing, and have become one of the few Vietnamese brands with strong recognition in the domestic industrial rubber sector.

Expanding Market Share with Strategic Measures

Ben Thanh Rubber serves a wide range of clients across major industries — coal, steel, cement, thermal power, petrochemicals, fertilizers, as well as mechanical engineering, mining, wood processing, and animal feed production. Amid economic challenges, the company strengthened marketing, trade promotion, and customer relations to stabilize demand and expand market share.

In 2023, the company gained 45 new customers, bringing the total to 771. Sales results were impressive:

  • Rubber belts: 20.2 million inches (109% of plan)

  • Conveyor belts: 173,000 m² (98.2% of plan)

  • Technical rubber: 1,800 tons (75% of plan)

  • Revenue: VND 333 billion (101% of target)

  • Profit: VND 24.2 billion (over 100% of plan)

  • Tax contribution: VND 29 billion

  • Average income: over VND 12.5 million per employee per month

For five consecutive years (2018–2023), the company was ranked among Vietnam’s Top 100 Sustainable Businesses.

General Director Nguyen Tran Nghiem Vu shared:

“Major domestic and international customers trust our conveyor belts, leading to strong growth — a 31% increase in steel-core belts and a 17% rise in customer count. Our technical rubber products have also entered demanding markets like the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, and Korea.”

The company’s technical rubber exports include:

  • Mud flaps to the U.S. and Mexico

  • Floor mats to Japan

  • Billiard rubber rails to the U.S. and Indonesia

Effective Digital Transformation

Recognizing that digital transformation requires long-term investment, Ben Thanh Rubber has adopted a step-by-step approach. Key actions include:

  • Upgrading IT infrastructure, servers, local networks, and LED display systems.

  • Implementing cloud-based data storage and Microsoft 365 tools for internal workflows.

  • Applying ANSI accounting software and evaluating new digital management systems for production, inventory, and maintenance.

“In 2023, we successfully implemented a digital document management system linking VRG headquarters and subsidiaries. We installed four interactive touchscreens that transmit real-time production data from the technical office to the factory floor — improving accuracy and responsiveness.”

For 2024, the company plans to:

  • Launch a digital production management system with barcode integration.

  • Digitize technical standards, production parameters, and templates.

  • Create a shared data platform with access control for interdepartmental collaboration.

Innovation and Technical Improvements

To meet the market’s demand for high-quality, durable, and cost-effective products, Ben Thanh Rubber maintains a VILAS-certified laboratory equipped for research and innovation. Notable achievements include:

  • Expanded testing capabilities for adhesion and hardness per ISO 17025:2017.

  • Developed heat-resistant conveyor rubber (150°C) with +50 kgf/cm² tensile strength and 10 mm³ higher abrasion resistance.

  • Created impact-resistant conveyor rubber meeting DIN X standards (>25 MPa).

  • Replaced PX-2 oil with eco-friendly TOTM oil for high-strength (20 MPa) heat-resistant belts.

  • Produced 3-meter billiard rubbers and corrugated-surface conveyor belts for mass production.

  • Implemented hot bonding for sidewall conveyor belts to improve efficiency.

The company also executed five key innovation projects in 2023, delivering over VND 1.2 billion in benefits. These include:

  1. Developing M-type corrugated conveyor belts for coal-fired power plants.

  2. Introducing hot-bonding technology for sidewall belts.

  3. Optimizing rubber compounding for corrugated belts.

  4. Lowering production costs of pre-calendered semi-finished materials.

  5. Innovating 3-meter French billiard cushions.

Dual Growth Strategy for 2024 and Beyond

Mr. Nguyen Tran Nghiem Vu outlined two strategic growth directions:

  1. Focused Growth:

    • Concentrate resources to expand existing product lines.

    • Strengthen after-sales service, enhance product quality, and optimize cost efficiency.

  2. Diversified Growth:

    • Develop new technical rubber products targeting emerging markets.

    • Invest in a new 2-meter-wide conveyor belt production line to serve both export and domestic clients.

“Our goal is to sustain steady growth and maintain our reputation as a leading industrial rubber manufacturer within VRG — one that integrates innovation, quality, and digital transformation into every production step.”