THP FBF students explore warehouse and logistics operations at MSM Prai Berhad

A group of 40 students from the Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF), UTAR, embarked on an educational field trip to Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Company (MSM) Prai Berhad’s warehouse in Sungai Buloh, a leading player in Malaysia’s refined sugar industry, on 4 August 2025. The trip offered students an invaluable opportunity to observe real-world applications of warehouse management, supply chain operations, and technological innovation within a large-scale manufacturing environment.

The visit began with a safety briefing, followed by an introduction to MSM’s logistics fleet, which comprises tanker trucks, general cargo trucks, and electric vans, the backbone of MSM’s distribution network across Peninsular Malaysia. Students also learned that raw sugar is primarily imported from Brazil, requiring a month-long voyage before undergoing refining processes to produce high-quality sugar for the domestic market.

Railway tracks within the MSM facility connect to warehouses in Sungai Buloh and Johor Bahru, enabling cost-efficient product delivery to customers in the central and southern regions of Peninsular Malaysia. The Sungai Buloh warehouse also houses packaging facilities, allowing MSM to pack products in various sizes and at different times to meet customer requirements. This efficient warehousing, packaging, and distribution network supports just-in-time delivery and enables rapid responses to orders or sudden changes. In addition, MSM shared its vision for sustainability, outlining plans to adopt solar panel installations and to develop a 10-year sustainability roadmap aimed at reducing its environmental footprint. Currently, MSM operates two massive silos capable of storing up to 5,000 metric tonnes of sugar, ensuring a stable buffer inventory.

Students were also introduced to MSM’s Warehouse Management System (WMS), which supports efficient tracking, first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory management, and real-time stock monitoring; the Transportation Management System (TMS), which enables cost-effective nationwide delivery planning; and the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which provides high-density storage for finished sugar products and streamlines the production-to-shipment process. Other initiatives include pre-order listing and pre-loading activities to enhance outbound delivery efficiency. Moving forward, the company plans to transition from a make-to-stock to a make-to-order model, expand its market reach, and upgrade its packaging line with greater automation.

The field trip provided valuable exposure to how safety protocols, supply chain strategies, sustainability initiatives, and advanced technologies integrate to drive operational efficiency in a competitive manufacturing sector. The visit not only reinforced classroom learning but also deepened students’ understanding of industry best practices, equipping them with insights for future careers in operations, logistics, and manufacturing management.

Present during the field trip were Head of Department of Entrepreneurship and Supply Chain Management Dr Ng Yin Kuan, and academics Dr Chia Mei Si, Ms Yap Chui Peng and Ms Khor Hooi Ching.

Safety briefing before the site tour

Students learning about MSM’s logistics fleet

Briefing on MSM’s Transportation Management System (TMS) and Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Students exploring MSM’s silo storage and inventory management practices

Students observing the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) in action

Students discovering how MSM’s distribution channels operate

A commemorative group photo with UTAR staff, students, and the MSM team