S Korean confectioner Orion uses locally developed solutions to digitize, upgrade Vietnam factory: exec

South Korea-invested confectioner Orion Vina Food has used locally developed solutions to digitize and upgrade its factory, says general director Park Se Yeol.

He said that the factory, which has been operating for nearly 20 years, has been upgraded to a smart factory, incorporating modern technologies including IoT, big data, and AI.

Park Se Yeol was speaking Saturday at the National Digital Transformation Day 2024 celebration that was chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the National Committee on Digital Transformation.

Many businesses shared their transformation journeys during this event.

Park said the Vietnamese government is actively creating a friendly investment environment, making the country a significant market. Recognizing this early on, Orion Vina expanded its first factory in Binh Duong province in 2006.

"We have been very pleased to witness the strong development of Vietnam over the years. We have consistently received great support from the local government for our transition to a smart industrial model. This support is crucial for manufacturing enterprises, startups, and local technology companies as they develop Industry 4.0 solutions like smart factories and smart cities,” he said.

Park also mentioned the company was skeptical about Vietnamese tech enterprises during the early stages of their digital transformation. However, after extensive discussions and evaluations with expert teams in South Korea, Orion Vina came to appreciate the smart factory solution developed by Becamex IDC Corporation and VNPT.

The solution featured modern architecture and smart functionalities that met strict international standards, while also being cost-effective.

"Our factory has been upgraded to a smart factory applying modern technologies like IoT, big data and AI. Although there have been many challenges in the implementation process, Vietnamese engineers have demonstrated their confidence and ability to execute the tasks effectively."

Once the smart factory became fully operational, it would deliver significant economic benefits by rapidly increasing productivity, Park said.

In the long term, the company aims to enhance automation at its factory and train human resources to monitor and operate the smart systems, he added.

As a long-term foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprise in Vietnam, he suggested that the government and the National Committee on Digital Transformation develop national policies to support and promote smart industrial manufacturing enterprises.

There should also be efforts to create infrastructure that fosters ecosystems for digital enterprises and solutions associated with industrial manufacturing.

This would not only aid the transformation process, but also create a market that attracts new-generation investors and supports local technology solutions, Park said