The aim of our visit to Szerencs chocolate factory, was to see what we studied in operation management implanted in a company.
The company is not a big one, but the process is the same in each company.
We had the chance to see the raw material of chocolate, and the process of making it.
In our visit, they even gave us an opportunity to make chocolate ourselves, and to apply a process of many processes of making chocolate.
Unfortunately, the day we went to the company they were not producing, it would’ve been more beneficial for us to see how the production runs instead of seeing it in a video.
Chaimae Ait Yahya
The field trip which was organized on 10/05/18 to a Szerencs chocolate factory was a very interesting experience from personal and professional experience. Thanks to a caring representative of the Szerencs chocolate factory we were able to dive into a whole production of this plant which has very interesting and challenging history from managing perspective.
First of all, the presentation prepared by the Szerencs chocolate factory gave me a proper outlook not only on a company but on a city itself. Taking into account that I am an international student it was interesting to see how people feel their own city.
Secondly, the assigned staff of Szerencs chocolate factory payed our attention on different changes of organizational structure and ownership. It was interesting to hear the full story from the company foundation till the present. The representative of the Szerencs chocolate factory was keen on a history of a company allowing me to understand the company’s products, organizational structure, its market location and customers as well as company’s priorities and strategies which are applied on daily basis. Moreover, the staff was always glad to answer our questions and give additional information.
Following this given opportunity I got a chance to see the workplace of a small factory. I believe that seeing a handmade production is important as well as automatization processes. This factory is well-organised and oriented on the customers following the market changes and tendencies. We could see that the factory implements all essential international standards, keeps everything in order and cleanliness and standardisation. Also, I believe that this factory is focused on eliminating the wastes. The working spaces are organized for trying to reach a minimum waste in Transport, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Over Production, Over Processing, Defects, and Skills.
Concluding all the mentioned above, I would like to thanks all organizers for a received chance to get to know the Szerencs chocolate factory from inside and see the processes of production. This field trip was very useful and illustrative for me: I observed many aspects of the Hungarian life and values, as well as production at a small factory with semi-automatizated processes. I believe that such field trips are extremely important for education at a programme “Engineering Management” for broadening the perception on Management.
Ekaterina Bukovneva
Confectionery Factory "Szerencs" is located in the central-eastern part of Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen. For the period of its development, the factory "Szerencs" has passed an intensive way - from the production of confectionery and chocolate glazes to the needs of third-party enterprises before the launch of its own brands. The personal responsibility of each employee and the use in the production of only high-quality ingredients make it possible to create a worthy product in all respects: in terms of composition and taste characteristics, our chocolate and sweets are not inferior to the more famous Russian brand, while the price is more than democratic. I was fortunate enough to visit the production of this company, which I am infinitely grateful to the teacher of our subject.
This company helped better understand the meaning of the subject such as Basic of Lean Management. On a living example, I was able to see the result of applying methods such as 5S, PDCA analysis, 5why's, Kaizen and so on.
Particular attention to the Confectionery Factory "Szerencs» company pays attention to the 5’S method. 5’S helps us to simplify the workplace, which ultimately increases the productivity of workers several times. The basic rules of 5’S are 1) sorting 2) set in order 3) shining, sweeping 4) standardizing 5) sustaining. When visiting the workshops, the warehouse and the assembly department, I saw the excellent result of this method. Workers are not distracted in search of the desired object/tool and are completely concentrated on their work, which in turn reduces the number of defects.
This tour was very useful for me. I was able to refresh my knowledge in practice and get a good work experience. I am absolutely sure that this trip is perfect for students who would like to become a good manager.
Vedyashkin Denis
1. Impressions about the Factory
The factory is very organized and clean. We were not able to see all sites and rooms, but what about we saw, there are enough space for a lot of handmade production and packing for several kinds of chocolate and candies. As well, there is a good space to receive guests and watch movies about the city and company history. It was a good way to understand more and learn about the chocolate production and its raw material. In addition, there was some chocolate sculptures at the entrance, making you immerse in the chocolate factory idea.
It was very good to know that most of processes handled there were handmade and we could see one of the processes, chocolate tempering, and this is what make the difference of the factory comparing to other big chocolate companies.
2. Why do you think it was useful
This type of field trip is very useful because you are able to see different kinds of production, methodologies, people and companies. It is a good way to open your mind to new things, mainly in production and processes area. For me, it was the first time in a chocolate company and, as other products, it is unique. Then, learn about it was very useful and important.
3. How you can incorporate in your studies the information you accumulate during the field trip
It is possible to apply the information grabbed in different areas and situations. I have used some of this knowledge during the Operations Management exam last week, as there were 2 questions that used chocolate companies as example and my mind were set easily. Furthermore, it is possible to understand more the specificities of this market and its production, also its competition, innovations and products. Additionally, it is viable to recognize the bottlenecks and issues of this field. I can incorporate it in production studies.
Amanda Raquel Messias Bueno Rocha
The visit of Szerencs chocolate factory was an important point in practical education skills. It was interesting to understand how theoretical information works in the real company, in the real production. Furthermore, it was amazing to prepare hand-made chocolate and try it after. For engineers crucial to feel and see a result of work. After a theoretical explanation about different types of chocolate we had step-by-step instruction how can we do it personally. During team-work, we had an opportunity to prepare different types of chocolate.
Pogorelskiy Sergey
Introduction
On the 10th of May, 2018 we visited Szerencsi Bonbon Kft. located in Szerencs, under the supervision of our professor Dr. Istvan Budai.
We have been studying and learning about the theory of Production Management principles and its effectiveness in eliminating waste and increasing efficiency. But Practical implementation and experience is what solidify the foundations of theoretical knowledge. Therefore, the purpose of our visit was to observe the Operation Management System adopted by the Szerencsi Bonbon Kft. company and learn how the concepts of Operation management are practically implemented.
The tour
We were warmly greeted at the entrance of the company and were taken inside where before proceeding with the tour we were shown some of the chocolate sculptures manufactured by the company. Then we were lead to the briefing room where we were given introduction to the company’s history and traditions. And were presented with a variety of chocolate products for tasting. At the end of the briefing we were allowed to ask any questions that we had in our minds. We asked our questions and they were replied to with great patience and humility.
After the question and answer session each one of us was given a set of disposable coat and hairnet and lead in to the chocolate manufacturing room under the supervision of a company representative. We were given a variety of ingredients to make our own chocolate.
Observations
• Chocolate production was outsourced for economic efficiency and produced by the best chocolate producing companies in Europe according to Scerencsi Bonbon’s requirements
• Strict production criteria were maintained
• All range of chocolates were produced with varying percentages of Cocoa
• Cocoa beans were procured from the best Cocoa bean producing regions in the world
Conclusion
The trip was successful with regards to the expectations we had from it and in many ways much more than it. The chocolate producing procedures of the company gave us valuable knowledge about production management and clarified certain techniques which can be effectively used and practically implemented by a production manager in a variety of production situations. Overall, it was a memorable and a fun filled trip with new experiences and memories for the future.
Ahmad Hassan
The purpose of this trip was to understand and experience the chocolate making process in Szerencs Chocolate Factory. As well as we got understanding of chocolate makomg process, we also learned about pitfalls in leading a chocolate company in EU. We were given some information about government regulation on food industry in Hungary.
History:
Szerencs Chocolate Company was established in 1923, and was second largest chocolate factory in Hungary. In 1963, all chocolate and sweets factories in Hungary were put under a single organization or trust. This situation existed until 1981, when a wave of decentralization in the Hungary and industry swept away most such trusts. For various reasons, It suffered significant losses from the dissolution of the trust. For one thing, it inherited the most obsolete equipment. Second, it was amalgamated with Szerencs Sugar Factory. The sugar industry was suffering from a worldwide crisis and depressed prices led to a depletion of the company’s financial reserves. On 11 of April 1991, it was acquired by Nestle and Nestle Hungaria Kft. was founded.
As a result of production developments,the factory in Szerencs became Nestle’s European Centre for the production and packaging of powdered beverages.
Current situation:
Cut down on the weight of product packaging and saved total of 116 tons in materials in 2013. Three methods were used: sustainable design, recycled materials and component optimization. By 2013, energy consumption per product ton was reduced by 34% and water consumption was reduced by 68%. Zero waste to landfills at the Szerencs, waste is recycled as raw material or incinerated to generate thermal energy. In 2012 number of employees reached 392.
To conclude, this field trip to Szerencs Chocolate factory was very beneficial, we learned about vision of the company regarding ecological sustainability. We learned a lot about production system,
Used literature:
Saul Estrin. Reconstruction and Privatisation in Eastern Central Europe. M.E.Sharpe, 1995.
Nestle Hungaria Kft, Sustainability and creating shared value short report, Budapest, Hungary,
Zaira Kaiyrgaliyeva
Impressions about the Factory
Szerencsi Bonbon Kft. is a factory with vast history. Through the years, it has resisted the changing conditions of the market and the competitors to evolve in a company that preserves its legacy of high quality. Its products made the name of the city Szerencs (the city where it is located) known nationally.
The company has a wide range of products with special recipes that gives them a differentiated characteristic when compared to other commercial brands, based on the higher concentration of cacao in its products instead of artificial flavours.
The factory offers a truly attractive experience, allowing visitors to make their own personalized chocolate in an interactive process. In my opinion, this is a positive strategy, taking advantage of tourism and at the same time doing direct marketing of their products, showing them the facilities and allowing them to know more about how they are made.
Usefulness of the field trip
It is always an enriching experience to compare real-life situations with theoretical knowledge. With this trip, as a student, I was able to learn more about how the company has applied different strategies, such as outsourcing, to its business model to face the ever-changing market conditions. These strategies were discussed in depth during our lectures and practices in the subject of Operations Management, making the field trip to this factory an interesting complement to the program.
Contribution of the information acquired from the experience
In my opinion, this field trip makes an important contribution to my Engineering Management studies, giving me lessons and real-life examples, which I can use in the future when analysing similar cases, considering both theoretical and practical experience.
Diego Jesús Álava Pico
