Wo(man) of Steel 

Text by : Monisha Sivanesan

Image Courtesy of : NS Bluescope Malaysia

Having devoted years of loyalty, dedication and passion to the world-class leader behind some of the most stellar steel solutions out there, Wong Sen Meng now finds herself undertaking her most ambitious role yet: Country President of NS BlueScope Malaysia.

“What truly sets us apart is our in-depth, sector-specific knowledge which allows us to provide tailored solutions to our customers.”

Wong Sen Meng
Country President at NS BlueScope Malaysia

No productive conversation about steel, particularly premium coated and painted steel products along with pre-engineered solutions for building construction that demonstrates durability even against the harshest of Australian weather, is complete without mentioning NS BlueScope Malaysia. Joining the BlueScope family back in 2015, Wong Sen Meng began her journey here by taking on various positions within the organisation … like leading the Regional Supply Chain and Sourcing function since 2019. Her leadership has been utterly instrumental in aligning both regional and country Supply Chain and Procurement teams with the company’s long-term strategies, having strongly emphasised on digitalisation and innovation all throughout her term. 

As for her current role as the company’s Country President, she is now responsible for overseeing operations in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. “I bring my regional leadership background to this role and hope to contribute to our business goals, drive growth, foster strategic partnerships, and create value for the company and the community,” Sen Meng remarks. This appointment comes at a significant juncture, and she’s more than eager to bring her wealth of experience, extraordinary visions and steady resilience to steer the business forward through a sea of unprecedented challenges that lie ahead.

What do you believe sets NS BlueScope Malaysia apart from its competitors in the market? 

NS BlueScope Malaysia distinguishes itself by leveraging our extensive regional strength. Over the years, we have established strong connections with our customers across the ASEAN region and key supply chain routes.

Among leading regional steel manufacturers, we have one of the deepest and widest footprints in Southeast Asia. What truly sets us apart is our in-depth, sector-specific knowledge which allows us to provide tailored solutions to our customers.

What are the company’s strategies and visions for expansion and growth within the organisation? 

We are committed to advancing our mission with ambitious plans to enhance efficiency, prioritise customer-centric approaches and leverage our company’s outstanding business practices, culture and expertise in the coated steel industry within the region. In the year ahead, we are looking forward to more exciting collaborations across all projects and business strategies, as well as building better and more impactful results.

As a special preview, we’re gearing up to introduce our new product technology, set to launch in the 4^th quarter of this year. With BlueScope’s latest R&D improvements, we are bringing stronger weathering performance, extended durability and warranty, along with enhanced protection for your iconic builds. On that note, I believe our synergy and strong business relationship will continue to be the key for us to achieve many more successes together, and to bond stronger partnerships in the future.

How has NS BlueScope Malaysia structured its operations and relationships with key suppliers for long-term improvements?

For 2023, we have outlined several strategic priorities with the primary focus being to reaffirm our commitment to high-quality products and consistent delivery on our promises, thereby reinforcing our position as a trusted provider of long-lasting, dependable solutions in the market in light of rapidly evolving market dynamics.

To achieve these goals, significant investments have been allocated to enhance our production line. Technological and performance improvements will be implemented across various aspects of our product offerings, underscoring our dedication to craftsmanship and innovation, ultimately leading to unparalleled durability, extended warranties and a higher level of quality consistency that sets us apart in the market.

In addition to operational enhancements, our talent acquisition strategy will prominently feature upskilling and cross-skilling initiatives for our staff. This is aimed not only to efficiently manage our upgraded production lines but to build their career paths in the age of digitalisation.

Could you share some notable accomplishments and goals achieved by both you and the company during your tenure? 

Certainly, NS BlueScope Malaysia is resolutely committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its operations by 2050. To realise this vision, we’ve initiated various sustainability projects, including rainwater harvesting, solar street lights, wastewater treatment and energy efficiency optimisation within our manufacturing facilities.

A significant milestone is the launch of NS BlueScope SunField, a vast solar farm at our Kapar manufacturing plant, covering an area equivalent to six football fields. This solar farm will power around half of the plant’s energy needs, utilising clean and renewable solar energy. These green investments support Malaysia’s transition to a sustainable future, with an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.

Are there any additional key messages or insights you would like to emphasise on?

I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Country President at NS BlueScope Malaysia and continue serving alongside our extraordinary team, stakeholders and esteemed Board of Directors.

At BlueScope, we acknowledge that transitioning to low-carbon business operations depends on factors like affordability, commercial viability and feasibility. As we make that transition, we believe that together with our stakeholders, we can significantly contribute to the transition towards a low-carbon future by embracing greener solutions with reduced carbon footprints. As clean energy continues to gain resilience, accessibility and cost-effectiveness, we have a golden opportunity to make a meaningful impact on sustainability.