On November 23rd, 2023, a group of Industrial Engineering students from Sampoerna University embarked on a company visit to Plant II of PT Arwana Citramulia, a prominent ceramic company situated in Cikande, Banten. This visit was organized as part of their Manufacturing Process course, offering students valuable insights into the practical aspects of industrial engineering.
The journey commenced at 8 AM, with participants boarding a bus from Sampoerna University, arriving at the PT Arwana Citramulia premises by 9:50 AM. Upon arrival, Mr. Rally Sudarta, the VP of Human Resources-General Affairs at PT Arwana, warmly welcomed the students. The visit began with a session of refreshments, followed by a comprehensive overview of the company, including its history and operations, through a detailed company profile presentation.
PT Arwana Citramulia Tbk operates in the ceramic, porcelain, and granite tile industry. Their products, marketed under the Arwana, UNO, and ARNA brands, cater to different market segments. All products adhere to stringent production standards, including SNI (Indonesian National Standard), ISO 13006, ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System), and the green industry standard SIH 23929.1:2017 (Ceramic Tile Industry).
Since initiating commercial production in 1995, PT Arwana Citramulia has expanded to five plants, featuring ample greenery. The company regularly engages in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, such as building schools, providing agricultural education to housewives, and offering medical check-ups to the local community.
The highlight of the visit was a guided tour through the factory, led by Plant Manager Mr. Tendy Susanto. The tour provided students with firsthand knowledge of the intricate processes involved in ceramic production. Starting at the storage area for materials like clay and silica, the manufacturing process progressed through mixing, pressing, horizontal drying, glazing, printing (using both rotary and digital methods), firing, quality control, and finally, packaging. The tour also included a visit to the Research and Development (R&D) department.
After a shared lunch, the visit concluded at 2 PM, and the participants boarded the bus for their return journey to Sampoerna University. The company visit proved to be a valuable learning experience for the Industrial Engineering 2021 students, offering real-world exposure to the manufacturing processes of a leading ceramic company. This practical encounter is expected to significantly contribute to their understanding of industrial engineering concepts and their application in the ceramic industry.
