KUCHING – The Young Accountants’ Club (YAC) of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus recently conducted an industrial visit to two major manufacturing facilities, gaining valuable firsthand exposure to real-world industry operations and raw material processing.
The two facilities visited were Sarawak Flour Mill Sdn Bhd (Interflour), located in the Demak Laut Industrial Park, and Quality Concrete Sdn Bhd, a leading supplier of ready-mixed concrete and precast concrete piles, based in Siburan.
The educational tour, involving 36 participants including YAC members and committee representatives, was conducted under the guidance of the club’s advisors, Associate Professor Dr Fung Chorng Yuan, Head of the School of Business, and Ms Wong Kai Lu, Accounting lecturer.
At Sarawak Flour Mill, the group was welcomed by Mr Jason Yap Ket Loong, East Malaysia General Manager, who led a guided tour of the facility. Students were introduced to the various stages of flour production, beginning with the processing of raw wheat imported from Australia and continuing through a series of meticulous sifting procedures. Emphasis was placed on hygiene and contamination control, underscoring the importance of cleanliness in the food manufacturing industry to ensure consumer safety.
A highlight of the visit was observing the large-scale milling machinery in action, with its powerful sound leaving a lasting impression on the attendees. Students also engaged in hands-on activities, including moulding fresh yeast mixtures and sampling freshly baked bread.
The visit provided tangible context to key academic concepts, particularly in cost and management accounting, as students learned how the company manages waste flour by repurposing it for sale to local farmers – a practical example of efficient resource management and sustainable practices.
The second part of the educational visit took place at Quality Concrete Sdn Bhd, where students observed on-site operations. They were guided through the concrete production process, which involves mixing rock, sand, and cement. The session also highlighted the environmental impact of the industry, including the release of toxic gases from excessive burning.
A group photo taken at Quality Concrete Sdn Bhd. Seen are Associate Professor Dr Fung Chorng Yuan (front row, sixth left) presenting a token of appreciation to General Manager Mr Ling Kieng King (front row, fifth left).
Students toured the control panel room and received a briefing on the operational mechanisms behind concrete batching. They also explored various concrete products, including reinforced structures formed with steel and shaped using specialised machinery. The visit concluded with a demonstration of concrete durability testing through pressure resistance and curing techniques, which are critical to ensuring product quality and longevity.
Discussions at both facilities also explored financial planning and cost control strategies, offering students real-world insights into pricing, bulk sales, and resource optimisation techniques commonly used in large-scale industrial operations.
Reflecting on the experience, one YAC member remarked, “I learned how both organisations manage their raw materials to produce and supply products to their customers. Hearing about their challenges such as supply shortages and how they overcame them gave us a clearer understanding of the business from an insider’s perspective.”
The visits to both facilities effectively bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. They offered Swinburne Sarawak students an enriched understanding of industrial processes and business operations that are integral to their academic and future professional pursuits.
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