Profile of CONTIGO´s partner Dhanabadee

Supply chain

Trading partner: Dhanabadee, medium enterprise
Function: Producer
Structure: Own production plant
Tradeway: Direct import CONTIGO

Products

Vases, housewares and decoration articles made of ceramic

Location

Lampang, Thailand – distance to Europe: 8.400 km

Founded in 2003

History

• 1954: The founder of the company Apa E Simyu Saechin immigrated from China via Vietnam to Thailand. He settled in Lampang where he found a source of high quality kaolin in the region and built the first ceramic factory. In the next decades his traditional Chinese inspired “chicken bowl“ becomes a bestseller in the whole kingdom of Thailand
• 1965: Closing down the former factory and opening „Dhanabadesakul Crockery“. Up to today the famous „chicken bowl“ is still produced according to the traditional production method: all steps are handmade
  • Shaping the raw material
  • Painting the ceramic
  • Burning of the ceramic in the oldest kiln in the region around Lampang, called „Dragon Kiln“ (today part of the museum)
• 1990: Establishment of the „Dhanabadee Art Ceramic Company Thailand“ in the second generation by the son of the founder, Mr. Panasin Dhanabadesakul
• 2003: Renaming of the manufactory in Dhanabadee Decor Ceramic Co. Ltd., production capacity is increased and improved in order to remain competitive on the international market. Focus on design and elaborate decoration techniques
• 2012: Foundation of the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museums in Lampang by Mr. Panasin Dhanabadesakul, to preserve the beginning and upgrowth of the ceramic production in Lampang

Cooperation with CONTIGO since 2017

Structure of the business

Number of employees:

• 172 employees (123 women and 49 men)
  • Therefrom in the production: 114 women and 40 men

Work environment:

1) Production building is located on the outskirts of Lampang:

• single-storey hall complex with two semi-floors for offices and clay tanks
• wide courtyard with a small, covered shelter with seating for breaks, a large, open, covered meeting and canteen room
• small shop for snacks for the staff

2) Nationwide known DHANABADEE museum and showroom is located in the city of Lampang

Organisation of workforce:

Production halls are divided into departments according to the work process (labelled): storage of materials, clay mixing plant, mould making, ceramic production, decoration, drying rooms, kilns, packaging.

Quality control is performed in various steps of the production. In each department the progress of production is recorded and documented on routing slips.

New employees are trained for three months by experienced staff.

Production steps:

1. manufacturing of the moulds
2. mixing of the clay
3. filling the role models (bisques)
4. release and drying
5. decoration work
6. glaze and colour application
7. burning process
8. final quality control
9. packaging

Sales

• Home market (30%)
• Exports (70%) to 70 countries worldwide

Special features

• Sales of the ceramic souvenir range „White Elephant“ support different projects
  • Thai Elephant Conversation Centers
  • Schools for blind students
  • Scholarships for handicapped pupils and students

Why does CONTIGO work with Dhanabadee: Long-established company that preserves the cultural heritage of ceramics production, today with a modern management. Excellent quality, innovative designs, accurate deliveries, excellent social standards.

 

Fairtrade classification

FTP = Fairtrade in Progress, young business partnership

 

Fairtrade aspects

Dhanabadee complies with the following Fairtrade principles:

No child labour

No discrimination

No discrimination due to gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political orientation, or infection with HIV.

Fair wages

• Minimum wage in the region: THB 315/day (THB= Baht)
• Average wage at Dhanabadee:
  • Un-skilled worker: THB 315/ day
  • Skilled worker: 315-500/ day
• All employees receive a fixed salary, no piece-rate
• Weekly or monthly salary is transferred to employees own bank account
• Holiday bonus

Humane working conditions

Working hours:

• 8 hours/day
• 1 hour of lunch break
• 6 days/week

Social benefits:

• Contributions to governmental health and social insurance are paid
• Continued payment of wage in case of sickness (30 days/ year)
• Paid holidays (13 national/ traditional holidays, paid leave for recreation depend on the seniority, at least 6 days/year)
• Maternity leave: 1.5 salaries before due date paid by Dhanabadee

Occupational safety:

• Marked, free escape routes
• Fire extinguishers in all working areas
• Extinguishing hose with water connection in the outdoor area

Transparency

• Work contracts are available
• Payroll is available
• SAR (Self Assessment Report) was duly submitted to CONTIGO

 

Monitoring

• Personal visits in Lampang (2016, 2019)
• Organisation and work processes are ISO certified

 

Country information

Information about Thailand

 

Photos