With its rich history as a financial and trading centre, and a thriving start-up ecosystem, Singapore is an ideal destination for multinational companies like AM International Holdings (AMIH). This is particularly true, given the company’s growing presence in the UK, Western Europe, South-East Asia and India.

It was with a sense of great anticipation that Devaki Ashwin Muthiah, Director, AMIH, recently visited the AMIH corporate headquarters in Singapore, on a familiarisation tour. She interacted with employees across the board, to gain a better understanding of the organisation.

The importance of Singapore as a global business hub cannot be overstated:

• It has a diversified economy with a strong services sector and manufacturing base.
• It has the highest GDP per capita in the South-East Asian region, according to the World Bank.
• Its start-up ecosystem is ranked fourth in Asia.
• It is the epicentre of innovation and growth in South-East Asia.

However, whether or not a business enterprise flourishes does not depend on a favourable environment alone. It’s the people who make it work. When individuals work together towards a shared goal, they can leverage their diverse experiences and skills to contribute to its success.

At AM International, Singapore, our people are at the heart of our organisation. Many of our employees have been with the company for over a decade – a litmus test of a happy workforce and an inspiring work culture.

Our headquarters in Singapore also welcomed the leadership team of AM UK Holdings, a subsidiary of AMIH. The team was led by Hugo Chardon, Head of Strategy, AMIH, UK, and co-founder of Amrock Ventures.

The team finally met some of our amazing employees in person for the first time, a far cry from the video conference calls that were the norm until recently. It was a refreshing change of pace as they got to experience, first-hand, the collaborative culture and energetic vibe that makes ours a happy workplace.

Further, the UK team shared international business practices with the employees, which is important for successful team work and collaboration.

The leaders also met the Wilson International Trading Private Limited team, the group’s raw material and finished goods trading business. During their visit, they understood the nuances of Singapore’s robust supply chain mechanism, which enables it to address challenges constantly; maintain its status as the world’s busiest container port; and rank as the world’s premier maritime city.

There was another upshot to meeting and interacting with leadership team members. It left the Singapore teams feeling upbeat and highly motivated. It was a powerful reminder of just how important their contributions are to the success of the AMIH group.

Tamilnadu Petroproducts, part of the petrochemicals division of Singapore-headquartered AM International Holdings (AMIH) is the first company in India to have its product, Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) certified under IS 12795: 2020. We were recently honoured for this feat at the prestigious All India First License – Award Ceremony in Chennai. The event was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

About BIS

As the National Standard Body of India, the BIS is the largest of all Indian certification bodies and plays a significant role in the country’s standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. While the BIS certification is voluntary, compliance to these is made compulsory by the Central Government for select products under various considerations, viz. public interest, protection of human, animal, or plant health, the safety of the environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security.

Assurance of quality, safety, and reliability

LAB is a product that requires compulsory compliance with the standards stipulated by the BIS. According to the provisions of The Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Order, 2021, only LAB manufacturers with ISI 2795:2020 certification can sell their products in the Indian markets.

The certificate is a means to provide a third-party guarantee of the quality, safety, and reliability of products to customers. The compliance under IS 12795: 2020 further establishes the company as the preferred partner for the industries having LAB applications.

TPL, a leading producer of LAB

LAB is a crucial raw material for manufacturing synthetic detergents and industrial cleaners. We are India’s leading manufacturer of LAB and the only producer in South India. Around 40% of the fabric detergents used in Indian households constitute TPL’s products. The ‘Superlab’ brand is among the most trusted LAB brands in the country today.

The demand for LAB is rising in India due to the growing awareness through government initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission. Other factors include changing lifestyles due to a considerable increase in per capita disposable income. It has led to the detergent manufacturing industry’s growth, further boosting the demand for LAB in the country.

We are honoured to receive this recognition. As an industry leader, we remain committed to delivering high-quality products to our customers by implementing the highest manufacturing standards and continuously investing in R&D and innovation. We are proud of our team’s dedication and hard work that has enabled us to deliver outstanding customer service and establish robust relationships with all stakeholders.

The Earth — the planet that made a thousand years of human progress possible — is our only home. Its vastness and rich natural resources may make it seem formidable, but it needs environmentally-conscious individuals and businesses to thrive. At an individual level, positive steps to protect our planet can range from recycling plastic to planting a tree. For example, operative companies at AM International, play an instrumental role in environmental friendly manufacturing practices. We must account for the impact we may have on the Earth’s ecosystems, in our day-to-day decision making.

In industries like manufacturing, sustainability has become key, especially if the product or service in question is reliant on diminishing raw materials. Sustainability is a core business focus at AM International, and it manifests in our practices — such as the efficient use of resources and the conservation of water.

It’s encouraging to see that eco-friendly manufacturing processes is helping ‘green’ businesses. Traditional ventures, too, are making the switch; this allows them to ensure long-term business viability while strengthening the brand’s reputation and building the trust of consumers.

There’s a competitive advantage to adopting operations that minimize environmental harm. The reduction of costs, by reducing the amount of raw material used, and wastage can lead to significant financial benefits. Often the switch involves the design of the process and product itself, such that it increases the shelf life and lowers the maintenance cost for the consumer.

ESG best practices help prompts businesses reduce factors like greenhouse gas emissions. A company’s ESG practice and risks are crucial when it comes to socially responsible investing. As investors consider both potential financial return as well as environmental good, companies can profit from CSR initiatives and ESG policies with real-world impacts.

One among ESG concerns is a safe work environment for employees. Factory owners who adopt eco-friendly methods and whose work culture reflects this shift will attract candidates who believe in the same cause. Studies show that candidates aged between 18 to 45 prefer workplaces that are environmentally aware — that take steps like including recycling bins and installing solar panels. Making a switch to green practices can help a business to ensure higher levels of employee safety and satisfaction.

It’s not just the prevention of harm and reducing one’s carbon footprint; ‘green manufacturing’ principles motivate businesses to clean more air than they pollute and produce more energy than they use. Tamilnadu Petroproducts achieved this by incorporating the best practices in rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment.

Digital technologies like automation and cloud computing present us with newer ways to boost productivity and sustainability. Through automation, for example, manufacturers can keep track of the wear and tear and predict the need for maintenance.

Ultimately, businesses will know that they have contributed to the protection of our planet when they go beyond mere compliance, investing instead in innovation and strategic planning. At AM International, a commitment to green technology and renewable energy has ensured that the safeguarding of health and the environment is an abiding priority.

On Earth Day, let’s reaffirm our belief in nurturing our environment and invest in  low-carbon manufacturing.

Although 70 percent of the planet is covered with water, access to clean and adequate water for everyone is a key goal that all of us should work towards. UNICEF warns that if we fail to address this concern, half of the world’s population will face water scarcity by 2025.

Industrialization requires water for its day-to-day running. However, factories and production units should work towards efficient water usage, thus contributing to water conservation.

AM International businesses are actively committed to sustainability, recognizing it as an imperative rather than an option. This commitment is reflected in a range of initiatives across the group, be it Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation’s (SPIC) Desalination Project or Tamilnadu Petroproducts’ (TPL) Rainwater Harvesting systems at the plant and community wells that have been in place for several years now.

Here are some best practices from our experience in water management in manufacturing:

Water Metering:

Water metering ensures that the working of all manufacturing equipment is optimized and there is no scope for leakages. AM International companies maintain responsible water usage by implementing water metering.

This brings water-saving opportunities to light by addressing the critical issue of water loss due to unnoticed leaks.

Industrial Rainwater Harvesting:

Manufacturing units use about 12% of the public water supply. However, a gradual reduction of this dependency is necessary to ensure adequate water supply to households.

Industrial Rainwater Harvesting is an effective measure of addressing this situation. The idea here is to collect, store and filter rainwater. As a result, the same water becomes usable by manufacturing units around the year for non-potable purposes.

TPL has successfully implemented industrial rainwater harvesting by establishing rooftop facilities at their plant and office building to collect and store rainwater in reservoirs for year-round use. Additionally, TPL has converted several unused community wells into rainwater harvesting systems in Chennai’s Mathur or Periya Mathur area.

Wastewater Treatment & Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD):

When it comes to effective water management practices, we must recognize the contribution of wastewater treatment.

This involves reducing wastewater dispensed from the plant and producing clean water suitable for reuse. It is where TPL’s Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) initiative has helped reduce freshwater usage by tapping on the Reverse Osmosis plant.

The process here involves treating effluent generated from the LAB plant and reusing it to achieve ZLD.

Importance of ESG in Manufacturing

As sustainability and ethical business practices become vital priorities, manufacturing companies must focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.

Water is an essential but scarce resource. Its management is critical for the sustainability and survival of businesses and communities. It makes ESG considerations about water usage particularly important in manufacturing. Adopting sustainable practices in water management can provide numerous benefits in manufacturing, including reducing water usage and waste, increasing efficiency, strengthening reputation, and enhancing stakeholder relationships.

By prioritizing ESG in water management practices, companies can build a sustainable and resilient business while mitigating water scarcity and pollution risks and contributing to a healthier planet.

Our group companies, TPL and MPL, have been frontrunners in replacing freshwater usage with recycled water. TPL has signed an MoU with Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board to run operations using recycled water from Tertiary Treated Reverse Osmosis.

SPIC has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by establishing a desalination plant on its premises, which supplies 10 million litres of water daily to meet the needs of in-house operations and nearby communities.

It aligns with Goal 6 on the United Nations’ list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals – Water and Sanitation. The objective is to provide safe water access to every individual globally.

The manufacturing industry must adopt a stakeholder-centric approach that prioritizes environmental, social, and governance concerns. Our group companies have demonstrated success in this area.

It is critical for manufacturing units to adopt a more sustainable approach, closely monitor their water usage, and make efforts to treat industrialized wastewater.

On World Water Day, let’s reaffirm our pledge to work towards water conservation, recycling, and zero liquid discharge goals.

Since its launch in November 2022, the artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT has dominated conversations in tech, owing to its articulate and accurate outputs. Not only can this chatbot understand natural language inputs, but it is also trained on vast amounts of diverse data. This allows it to perform tasks like writing computer programs and acing college entrance tests in mere seconds and minutes. 

Industry leaders in manufacturing have asked questions about how the tool, a generative large language model, can be utilized by the sector. These questions have emerged during the era of Industry 4.0 — a time of digitization and automation. Such curiosity showcases the sector’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, values that find a place in AM International’s vision too. 

Here’s a look at ChatGPT’s possible use-cases across manufacturing’s many functions:

1. Forecasting maintenance needs

   AI tools have demonstrated their propensity to identify patterns, which can be leveraged for preventive maintenance. Through an assessment of data from sensors on equipment, these tools can forecast disruptions in the manufacturing framework. They can alert operation teams to issues that can occur in the future.

   AI tools have demonstrated their propensity to identify patterns, which can be leveraged for preventive maintenance. Through an assessment of data from sensors on equipment, these tools can forecast disruptions in the manufacturing framework. They can alert operation teams to issues that can occur in the future.

2. Supporting quality control mechanisms

   Quality management is a priority across the manufacturing sector. AI tools like ChatGPT can be embedded in pre-existing quality control systems to automate inspections and tests. Drawing from the data generated from these inspections, it can identify trends in defects.

   Generative AI tools can also be used to create documentation that showcases a company’s compliance measures to meet industry standards and regulations.

3. Taking automation to the next level

   ChatGPT’s ability to parse through huge volumes of data could be put to use in the creation of sustainable supply chains, especially sales and the procurement of raw material.

4. Assisting staff in their tasks and upskilling

   Objectives like nurturing and empowering talent — as well as harnessing the power of new-age tech — find great resonance in AM International’s mission. 

   Clerical, repetitive tasks in the manufacturing sector, such as summarizing and simplifying reports, can be automated using AI. This will free up time for our colleagues to pursue more value-added and complex tasks. ChatGPT could also serve as an assistant to staff members during operations, in case any difficulties or hurdles arise.

   At factories and plants, any gaps in knowledge about coding and programming can also be filled by ChatGPT, whose training data includes programming languages like Python. 



5. Deepening the consumer relationship

   AI tools like ChatGPT can allow leaders in organizations to gain a greater grasp over consumer preferences and trends. AI tools can be used to analyze customer feedback and data, and chatbots can be employed to communicate with buyers — to diagnose their problems and provide solutions.

While reaping such benefits, we should also consider the limitations of generative AI tools, as well as the ethical issues that may stem from them, whether it is a lack of contextual understanding, or biases, and concerns about data privacy.

Through a seamless integration of ChatGPT into everyday manufacturing workflows, companies can reduce costs and wastage, and make more informed decisions. By ensuring consistent quality standards, such a move can drive up customer satisfaction levels.

Every century in human history is filled with stories of geniuses and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci and Thomas Edison, who began experimenting at a young age and showcasing their potential for excellence. It is their pursuit of science and innovation that led to advancements in human society.

In a country with young demographics such as India, developments in science and technology are essential for social and economic progress.

With this view, MPL conducted CHEMISKILL’Z 23 in February 2023 — a successful hunt for Chennai’s brightest minds in Chemistry through an annual paper presentation contest for students.

An esteemed panel, composed of academics and industry experts, evaluated the participants’ presentations. The parameters of assessment were quality, delivery, content organisation, creativity, idea applicability, and time management. The panel included Dr. Anbarasan, Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras; Dr. G. Sekar – Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras; Dr. Sathya Selva Bala Vasanthakumar – Head R&D and Scientist, Kothari Petrochemicals Ltd; Mr. T Thangasagaran – General Manager QA, Tech Services & Projects, MPL; and Mr. G.R.Sridhar – General Manager Operations, MPL.

Compete

Six finalists presented their papers, which focused on the themes of ‘green chemistry’, ‘waste to wealth’, and ‘environmental sustainability’. Santosh S from DG Vaishnav College was declared the winner of the competition. Vishwadhara N from Anna Adarsh College won the second prize, and Keerthana K from WCC College came in third. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to Darshini KS, M Kumari Diksha, A Aarthi and S Balaji.

Connect

The competition gave the students a platform to interact with industry veterans and experts, who shared invaluable real-world insights. The external panellists were given a glimpse of MPL’s manufacturing capacity, including its R&D and QA capabilities. The panellists also engaged in discussions with the MPL team on industry trends, domain knowledge, best practices, and more.

Connect

Through their presentations, the students showcased how they’d applied theoretical knowledge to respond to industry demands and implementation. The participants also gave the panel members and the team at MPL new perspectives and ways of thinking.

The dialogue and camaraderie at CHEMISKILL’Z 23 exemplifies how science can be a powerful tool and driving force in the hands of the youth — not only to identify the problems of the past and solve the challenges of the present, but to make our planet a better place in the future.

Succession planning is a crucial aspect for any organisation for continuity and growth. It helps ensure the building of a leadership pipeline while preserving the organisation’s culture, values, and mission. Today, succession planning, be it with promoter representatives or professional roles, is among the top risk management strategies listed by management gurus and strategy experts.

The procedure of succession planning today is better defined and articulated. Over the last decade, it has become more structured and process driven. Be it business families, professional CEOs, or leaders, an aligned vision to hand over the baton to the next generation of leaders is critical for ensuring future readiness.

The following are four critical elements of effective succession planning:

Overall, succession planning is a vital aspect of any organisation. It helps ensure that the business has a strong pipeline of leaders who are prepared to take on leadership roles in the future. By focusing on these four critical elements of effective succession planning, organisations can ensure that they can maintain their competitive edge and continue to be successful for years to come.

A successful transition must ensure that the next generation of leaders feels included in the future growth of the business. It will ensure that the young leadership conducts itself with newfound energy, driving growth alongside governance, and societal & environmental responsibility.

Businesses have undergone a radical transition in the last three years. In 2023, they must evolve further to deal with a blend of geo-political, health, social, environmental, and technological opportunities and challenges. Here are five big trends we believe will impact businesses in 2023.

1. Moving beyond resilience to anti-fragility

Resilience is the ability to bounce back. Resilient organizations can go back to a previous state of equilibrium and minimize disruptions. Businesses worldwide displayed resilience during and after the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. In an ever-changing world, one where dynamic business environments are laden with risks and challenges, resilience may not be enough. Organizations must instead become anti-fragile.

Anti-fragility—a concept first developed by author Nassim Nicholas Taleb—goes beyond resilience. It describes things and systems that do not merely withstand shocks or volatility but use these stressors and shocks to improve. By adapting quickly, learning fast, and improving consistently, anti-fragility helps to capitalize on challenges to spur business forward. Businesses that learn to be anti-fragile will remain productive and even thrive amid disruptions in the future.

2. Balancing purpose and performance – One for all, and all for one

Businesses reinvented the workplace with remote and hybrid work, leveraged technology for business continuity, and increased focus on the holistic well-being of employees. On the other hand, employees learnt to manage and adapt to work and life in entirely new and dynamic scenarios.

Businesses and employees must co-adapt to live and work in extraordinary times ahead. Organizations can use their learnings and create open, flexible, and result-oriented workplaces. Leaders and managers must remain authentic and empathetic to deliver greater trust, higher employee satisfaction and genuine engagement.

With work being a significant part of their lives, employees should continue to look for career development opportunities, flexibility and purpose, reskilling and upskilling to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution. This will be key to remain an asset to organizations. An employee survey by Gartner in 2021 revealed that 56% wanted to contribute more to society. Organizations must offer a relevant and compelling Employee Value Proposition (EVP) to successfully attract and retain talent, which is the key to sustainable growth.

3. Accelerating digital transformation – Where the machine is without fear

The world is deep into the digital era, where advancement of technologies like artificial intelligence(AI), Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), are transforming businesses and economies as we know it.

Businesses must constantly reinvent and reimagine existing processes, products, and services as they adapt to new deep-tech and ecosystems. Adopting digital strategies and embedding solutions for automation, data-driven decision making, on-time manufacturing, and efficiency is the key to future-proof businesses.

4. Increasing focus on sustainability

Today, sustainability and climate action are critical priorities for organizations. As the global community races against time to keep the planet’s rapidly heating surface temperature in check, businesses are becoming aware of the impact of climate change and global warming on their operations.

As COP27 highlighted, business leaders raised the ante on sustainability and impact investing as they sought to look after their interests while remaining at the center of this collective global challenge.

Indeed, investors are increasingly evaluating business performance against sustainability metrics while consumers are rethinking buying decisions in favor of environmentally friendly products and brands.

For example, our group company Manali Petrochemicals uses clean fuel, i.e., Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), to generate steam to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. This is in addition to using 100% recycled water in its manufacturing processes to reduce water wastage and conserve water.

5. Paying it forward – contributing to empower

Corporate social impact is important for both communities and businesses. Paying it forward will create goodwill, attract and retain talent. It will leave a positive impression on stakeholders, giving the company a competitive advantage.

Companies can pay it forward by establishing initiatives for community development and impact led ground level programs. Facilitating people to volunteer will empower employees to take ownership and develop leadership and social skills. Larger companies can support small businesses and entrepreneurs to create a stronger collective social impact ecosystem. At AM Foundation, our focus remains in the three areas of Primary Healthcare, Sanitation & Drinking Water and Wellness & Well-being.

At AM Foundation, our focus remains in the three areas of Primary Healthcare, Sanitation & Drinking Water and Wellness & Well-being.

As we step into the New Year, it’s the ability to harness the many opportunities inherent in each of these trends that will help organizations to move forward in a sustainable .

Together, they will drive a paradigm shift that will help businesses achieve their goals and create a better future for people and the planet.

Post COVID19, the shift from an office-centric work environment to a home-based or hybrid set-up has brought forth many changes to work culture. One such change — an imperative, timely one — is a greater focus on ensuring data privacy and cybersecurity protection.

Previously, we could rely on office computers and laptops, as well as internet servers, to be effectively protected. Sophisticated software at the workplace would rule out the possibility of encountering phishing campaigns, and we would be warned against dangerous links and files.

Today, at times, wfh situations make us reliant on home-based internet connections where the data traffic flow is not as controlled. Employees have responded responsibly to this change by keeping an eye out for unknown websites and content, being careful with important credentials and details, and seeking out IT professionals’ support when needed.

AM International recognises the significance of data privacy for businesses, as well as customers. More and more organizations are adopting AI, cloud computing and other cutting-edge technology to optimize and increase productivity; the result is that our relationship with data is deepening.

There are many advantages to adopting cybersecurity measures, whether it is ensuring business continuity or complying with regulations. It results in fewer breaches, prevents loss of revenue and could even give an organization a competitive advantage. Privacy and security are especially key for businesses who share and exchange data with other organizations.

Simple steps like maintaining reliable backups and consistent procedures can ensure that neither hackers nor internal human error will cause any corruption across the lifecycle of data. Data integrity is the accuracy and reliability of stored information. At AM International, this is a goal that all stakeholders work towards.

Organizations can step up by investing in encryption, data masking and automating processes like audits. They can raise awareness among employees about not just password confidentiality, but also aspects like software updates and using shared devices like printers. Additionally, they can put in place measures like detection technologies and vulnerability analysis.

To build more secure work environments and greater levels of consumer confidence, leaders in organizations should make fortifying the digital architecture a priority. In the long term, consumers, suppliers and investors will put more faith and good will into businesses that take all precautions.

At AM International, we ensure that the collection, storage and usage of all data is done under careful supervision and with sensitivity. Our business approach highlights not just consumer satisfaction, but also consumer safety and ethics.

Every day at work, we use our calendars to chalk out essential meetings, tasks and deadlines. Alongside this, our calendars also feature days marked out to celebrate causes and noteworthy individuals. One such occasion is Use Your Common Sense Day, celebrated on 4 November — but perhaps, we ought to celebrate it each day!

Common sense can seem like an obvious thing, a skill that we use so often that it feels futile to even term it a skill. But at workplaces, as discussions become more complex and nuanced, and we keep up with the latest research and technical jargon, we sometimes forget to apply common sense.

Employees who make common sense a part of their mental toolbox become the brightest minds in their teams. They can work independently, as they don’t need the constant guidance of their superiors. They are able to follow the company’s best practices while exercising their own judgment. They can identify gaps in processes, and focus on the bigger picture with clarity.

They are able to complete tasks faster, as they don’t lose time over unnecessary steps, and they have a higher rate of success, as they make fewer errors. Indeed, those who think by using common sense are able to identify potential risks in the future by relying on their own experiences and those of others.

At AM International, our People Philosophy is based on caring and collaboration. This fosters a spirit of teamwork where colleagues can learn from each other by sharing information.

Common sense should not be taken for granted. It is at the foundation of critical thinking — a process by which we use rationality to analyze information, connect the dots and predict outcomes. Problem solving at the workplace is made easier by using our common sense and critical thinking skills, as this allows us to set aside our biases and think objectively. The best thinkers simplify problems at every single step and then arrive at clean solutions, instead of complicating their thought process.

Common sense is an important soft skill to possess too, as it allows us to manage our own emotions better and helps us to interact more effectively with our colleagues. Common sense thinkers tend to be good listeners, who are keen to understand the inputs and suggestions of their team members. They have fair expectations of their co-workers and are more considerate towards them. They ask the right questions and use the knowledge gained from them to become smarter workers.

Common sense isn’t a natural talent but rather like a muscle that anyone can train. We can teach ourselves to apply this way of thinking by being more observant at the workplace: learn from our own past mistakes, make note of how our team members successfully solved problems, and remember how we ourselves navigated stressful situations. Ultimately, we will find the right balance between relying on research and analysis and using our own sense of intuition.

Individuals are incentivized to use their common sense and critical thinking skills at workplaces which are stimulating, where the tasks challenge them to think creatively. Such workplaces are also home to managers and team leaders who provide feedback to their colleagues, so that the entire team can grow.

AM International recognises that opportunities motivate people, and that careers must be built together, as a collective effort. We strive to nurture workplaces where all employees can think in an entrepreneurial way, where their decisions are encouraged rather than questioned.

This Use Your Common Sense Day, let us promise to think simply, act objectively and learn from our experiences.