Quality and sustainability: Nestlé Vietnam's path ahead

December 25, 2024 | 17:03
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Le Thi Hoai Thuong, Nestlé Vietnam's senior corporate affairs manager, spoke with VIR’s Khanh Linh about the company's strategic vision for 2025, emphasising sustainable growth, enhanced product quality, and deeper collaboration with local businesses.

What achievements has Nestlé Vietnam made in meeting the criteria of the National Quality Awards, and how do these achievements contribute to enhancing the brand’s reputation?

Nestlé Vietnam has consistently prioritised excellence, setting benchmarks in product quality and operational integrity. Over the years, the company has reinforced its position as a leader by adhering to the highest standards and striving to exceed customer expectations.

The National Quality Awards is the only national quality award codified in Vietnam’s Law on Products and Goods Quality, and the Golden prize is the most prestigious accolade awarded by the Prime Minister, celebrating businesses for exceptional contributions to product quality, service excellence, and market competitiveness. Our success in meeting the award’s rigorous criteria–including leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, and quality management–reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Quality and sustainability: Nestlé Vietnam's path ahead
Le Thi Hoai Thuong, Nestlé Vietnam's senior corporate affairs manager. Photo: Nestlé Vietnam

Leadership remains central to our strategy, with company leaders shaping and implementing comprehensive systems that prioritise quality and sustainability. These efforts ensure that each product adheres to global standards while fostering long-term value creation for local communities.

Nestlé Vietnam has integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance principles into its production processes. From responsible sourcing to employing advanced food safety certifications like FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001:2015, the company exemplifies sustainable business practices that align with both customer expectations and environmental goals.

As part of a global network, Nestlé Vietnam harnesses cutting-edge technology and internationally recognised systems to stay ahead in innovation. Central to this progress is its workforce–trained and empowered to adopt advanced processes that support both quality improvements and sustainability initiatives.

Receiving the National Golden Quality Award, the highest ranking of the National Quality Award, for the second time is a significant achievement for Nestlé Vietnam. This milestone reinforces the brand's reputation and highlights its commitment to elevating the standards of Vietnam’s food and nutrition industry.

How has Nestlé Vietnam implemented quality standards and operational practices to achieve high efficiency and increase customer trust?

Quality and safety for our consumers is Nestlé’s top priority. This applies to our entire portfolio and to all our systems and services. Quality has remained a cornerstone of our operations since its inception, with customer satisfaction, health, and trust consistently driving its strategies. This unwavering focus is evident in every facet of the business, from innovative product development to meticulous supply chain management.

To uphold its high standards, Nestlé Vietnam employs advanced systems and practices across its operations.

In food safety, for instance, the company utilises the FSSC 22000 system, which adheres to stringent international and local regulations. This ensures that every product meets rigorous safety and hygiene criteria. Additionally, its quality management adheres to ISO 9001:2015 and other globally recognised standards, guaranteeing uniformity and excellence at every stage of production.

Our production process is defined by a closed-loop system that enforces strict quality control from raw material procurement to product delivery. Raw materials are responsibly sourced to meet exacting quality and sustainability benchmarks. These inputs are then transformed through cutting-edge technologies to create products that consistently exceed consumer expectations.

Environmental sustainability is another key factor. By implementing ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 systems, Nestlé minimises its ecological footprint, reduces waste, conserves resources, and ensures safe workplace conditions. These measures extend to its warehousing and distribution networks, ensuring that product quality is preserved throughout the supply chain.

One example of its dual focus on quality and sustainability lies in packaging. Nestlé Vietnam employs innovative, eco-friendly packaging solutions that protect product integrity and reduce environmental impact. In coffee, through its 'NESCAFÉ Plan', Nestlé Vietnam has been working with coffee farmers and partners to increase the quality and value of Vietnam’s coffee with responsible sourcing, sustainable farming, and regenerative agriculture practices.

Continual improvement is the driving force behind the company’s success. By regularly updating its standards and practices, Nestlé Vietnam is aligned with global best practices and remains agile in addressing emerging challenges. This forward-thinking approach reinforces the brand’s reputation as a leader in quality and innovation.

The company's consumer-centric philosophy underpins all these efforts. By prioritising customer needs, the company has built a trusted reputation for delivering products that consistently surpass expectations. This commitment has solidified Nestlé’s position as a household name in Vietnam, synonymous with quality and reliability.

Through these initiatives, Nestlé Vietnam sets industry benchmarks and contributes to broader sustainability goals.

What are Nestlé Vietnam’s strategic objectives to sustain growth and improve product quality in 2025?

The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment for Nestlé Vietnam as it celebrates 30 years of dedicated service to Vietnamese consumers, underscoring its long-standing commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the country.

Our strategic focus for 2025 centres on sustainable growth and quality improvement. Building on its legacy of success, the company plans to deepen investments in business development while prioritising environmental conservation and resource regeneration. These efforts align with Nestlé’s global mission to create shared value for society and ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations.

Quality and sustainability: Nestlé Vietnam's path ahead
Nestlé Vietnam receiving the golden prize at the Vietnam National Quality Awards on December 18 for the second time. Photo: Nestlé Vietnam

Central to these objectives is the application of science, technology, and innovation. By leveraging advanced technologies, Nestlé aims to optimise production processes, elevate product quality, and meet evolving consumer needs. The company’s emphasis on innovation also supports the development of products that balance modern demands with environmental responsibility.

Nestlé is also committed to fostering collaboration within the Vietnamese business community. By sharing expertise and best practices, particularly with small- and medium-sized enterprises in our value chain, the company seeks to build a cohesive network that enhances the overall quality of Vietnamese products. This initiative aims to boost the reputation of local goods in both domestic and international markets.

In 2025, beside our ongoing commitments and initiatives, Nestlé Vietnam will join the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Science and Technology in the national steering committee on the Food Innovation Hub in Vietnam to promote innovation, dual transition to improve quality, value, competitiveness, and sustainability of Vietnamese food and agricultural products.

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NESCAFÉ Plan was granted the 'Award of the Year' at the 2024 Human Act Prize ceremony in Hanoi on December 14, serving as a testament to Nestlé Vietnam’s commitment to building a sustainable and thriving coffee farming community.

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Nestlé Vietnam was granted the golden prize at the Vietnam National Quality Awards on December 18 for the second time by the prime minister for its exceptional achievements in production and business, competitiveness, operational efficiency, and integration into regional and global markets.

By Khanh Linh

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