Essay On Company Background

Tradewinds Plantation Bhd is structured according to functional areas instead of product lines. The main functions of the company are finance, corporate services, human resource & administrative, information technology, secretarial, marketing, purchasing, plantation operation, research & development and engieering.

A functional structure is well suited to Tradewinds Plantation Bhd. It is because the company only has few dominant core products. Further more, a functional structure enable the company to accomplish functional goals as well as developing in-depth knowledge and skill. So, functional structure is economically efficient for Tradewinds Plantation Bhd.

However, Tradewinds Plantation Bhd not just run its operation by its own, it operates through its subsidiaries. Each of its subsidiaries has its own function. The functions of the subsidiaries can be grouped into categories such as plantation management and advisory services, technical support and advisory services, investment holding company, property development, cultivation of oil palm and production of crude palm oil. The further detail can be referring to corporate structure chart in Appendix A. Trade Plantation Bhd Annual Report 2006, [Online], Available: http://www.tpb.com.my/TPB/download/ar/TPB2006.pdf [10 March 2008]

2.02 Corporate Culture and Environment

Tradewinds Plantation Bhd’s fundamental corporate culture is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company is considering one of the leading corporations in Malaysia, and the company is practicing CSR accordance with the Bursa Malaysia CSR Framework for Malaysian Public Listed Companies. Trade Plantation Bhd Official Website, [Online], Available: http://www.tpb.com.my/TPB/index.htm [23 March 2008]

According to the framework, CSR is open and transparent business practices that are based on ethical values and respect for the community, employees, the environment, shareholders and other stakeholders. It is designed to deliver sustainable value to society at large. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Framework for Malaysian Public Listed Companies by Bursa Malaysia, [Online], Available: http://www.klse.com.my/website/bm/about_us/download/csr_writeup.pdf [20 March 2008]

Tradewinds Plantation Bhd integrating into its business operations open and transparent business practices, based on ethical values. The company also respects for its employees and focus on employees development. The company also concerned about environment, health and safety. The company believes in constructively involving itself with the people who work for the company and the communities the company are located within. This will ultimately build stronger ties and longer term relationships and it become the assets that are essential components to any corporate growth strategy.

Trade Plantation Bhd Official Website, [Online], Available: http://www.tpb.com.my/TPB/index.htm [23 March 2008] 2.03 Corporate Resources Value Chain a) Human Resources Management The company regards its employees as the backbone of our business and the mainstay of the operations. The total employee strength of the group was 7,136 comprising of 262 executives and 6,874 non-executives as at 31 Dec 2006. Trade Plantation Bhd Annual Report 2006, [Online], Available: http://www.tpb.com.my/TPB/download/ar/TPB2006.pdf [10 March 2008]

The company simultaneously adopts a two-pronged approach to workforce capabilities and productivity. The first approach is to developing a conducive working environment that free from potential hazards and that fully facilitates the smooth and seamless implementation of business processes. The second approach is employee development program centered on training and education programs. Under this second approach, many training and self-improvement programs been organized such as cost reduction program, Sibu/Kuching regional meeting and Field Day. The company has also set up Tradewinds Plantation Academy in Sarawak in 1999 to provide training at both professional and academic levels to both staff and the industry as a whole.

There is strong employer-employee relationship in the company. This is because the company takes many further measures to strengthen the ties between staff at all levels and their families by organized programs such as family days, dinners, sports days and personal wellness programs Trade Plantation Bhd Annual Report 2006, [Online], [10 March 2008] b) Research and Development Research and Development is a crucial factor for Tradewinds Plantation Bhd to remain a key player and survive in this industry. In plantation industry which is fast changing, the company must continually revise their design and range of products. This is necessary due to continuous technology change and development as well as other competitors and the changing preference of customers.

Tradewinds Plantation R;D Centre was set up in Sarawak in 2000 to provide the Group with its own pool of researchers and scientists who will focus on achieving scientific and technological breakthrough. Research and Development Advisory Committee is established and it comprises members who are expert in various agricultural disciplines. The purpose of this committee is to lend support to the Group’s Research and Development unit to enhance the Group’s productivity. There are also collaboration between the Group’s Research and Development unit and other research centres such as Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)