Issue 55

A Thai company has used wood from rubber trees to create an environmentally friendly product that it now exports around the globe.

By implementing best practices and taking innovation to toy-making and design, Plan Toys has learned how to manufacture wooden toys from waste rubber wood, as well as creating an eco-friendly product as part of its zero waste goal.

“To do something good for society, Plan Toys is determined to conduct its business with careful consideration for the environment,” says Kosin Virapornsawan, managing director of Plans Creations, the manufacturer of Plan Toys.

The company was established in 1981 by a group of executives with an architectural background and a strong mission to create a sustainable world. Now 95% of the wooden toys are exported to the US, EU, UK and Japan.

On average rubber trees provide latex for about 25 to 30 years. After that, most are burnt to make charcoal which has a low value. Instead Plan Toys uses the timber to create wooden toys. This is part of the company’s ethos to create a sustainable future.

“We also focus on child development, which is considered another way to create a sustainable society,” says Virapornsawan. “The key areas of child development are physical, social and emotional, intellectual and language.”

Virapornsawan believes that SMEs can do business in a sustainable manner if they have the correct mindset.

“Profit, people, planet are the three keywords that should be used primarily to develop the idea of ​​doing business sustainably,” he says. “We work with Mahidol University to check … power consumption and carbon emissions. If you look superficially, many entrepreneurs might think that doing green business increases the cost of production. As a long-term investment, it actually saves a lot of energy.”

According to him, entrepreneurs should come up with creative and innovative ideas to develop their business.

“We mixed the sawdust created from making the wooden toys with organic colours to form new toys with a different texture which are waterproof,” he says. “It is an eco design.”

Finding the right strategic partner, innovation and branding are three factors that all SMEs should consider if they want to enter the global market.

“If we are not good enough in any specific area we could suggest our partner to clients. We should not beat each other [into the ground] but we should grow together,” he says. “Innovation and branding help create a clear identity in the market and add value to your products and services.”

Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi