Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by PALFINGER
At PALFINGER, we believe in more than just providing exceptional products and services. We believe in the individuals who shape and contribute to our success. Faces of PALFINGER MARINE is a blog series highlighting the diverse talents and perspectives of our colleagues across roles and locations. This edition visits Binh Thi Tran, Operations Plant Manager cum Managing Director, in her home country of Vietnam.
A GRADUAL ASCENT TO THE TOP
Binh’s career to date is the perfect illustration of how hard work and dedication allow you to advance within PALFINGER MARINE. “I joined PALFINGER MARINE Vietnam in 2006 as a Management Assistant and Project Manager. In 2008 and 2013 respectively, I was promoted to Chief Accountant and Finance Manager with responsibilities for human resources and supply chain management. Finally, I was appointed as Operations Plant Manager in 2019,” Binh beams. In this demanding position, she is committed to leading our Hanoi team in producing boats, davits, and winches, as well as spare parts and service management.
A TYPICAL DAY IN VIETNAM
My job is dynamic, empowering, and visionary – and I love the challenge.
As one can imagine, a plant manager with a total of six direct reports faces a packed schedule every day. “Given I’m tasked to ensure that all operations are on track, my workday begins early,” Binh acknowledges. “It typically starts with a morning briefing involving all department heads. This is when we discuss production targets, ongoing projects, and critical issues from the previous day.” Her hands-on approach includes a visit of the production floor: “I like to stay on top of things. I observe key production processes like assembly and testing, ensuring that operations run smoothly and safely throughout the plant.” Her role also entails paperwork, yet reporting and compliance are often offset with more exciting tasks such as strategic planning. Managing 127 full-time employees is clearly a challenging job, but Binh can always count on the support of all her department heads and core team members.
A LIFEBOAT PROTOTYPE AS PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT
Asked about her most memorable experience since joining the PALFINGER MARINE family, Binh recalls a lifeboat development project that reflected teamwork and innovation in action. “This multi-stage undertaking presented us with a myriad of challenges such as product development, plant capacity calculations, investment proposals, and financial management. Onc e those were ticked off the list, we had to create a mold and source new materials capable of meeting the lifeboat’s technical requirements while also balancing quality, cost, and compliance factors,” she explains. Binh’s favorite part of the project was, however, undoubtedly the creation of the lifeboat prototype. “It’s just so exciting to see it all come together. Creating a prototype is a highly hands-on and collaborative process. Seeing our new product pass rigorous drop, impact, overload, boarding, and stability tests was a truly fulfilling experience,” she says. “This project required close collaboration with a string of departments including engineering, production, and procurement. It was a team effort in the very best sense of the term.”
EMBRACING CHALLENGES ON ALL FRONTS
Managing a complex production environment spanning almost 15,000 square meters not only requires visionary leadership and strategic thinking, but also empathy and team empowerment. “It’s one thing to balance efficiency and quality control or deal with unpredictable external influences such as supply chain disruptions or delayed deliveries, but I also need to have an open ear for my colleagues,” Binh argues. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, she has found that a strong presence based on in-depth knowledge and sound decision-making capabilities has broken down many barriers. “I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a great deal of internal support from mentors during my journey at PALFINGER MARINE,” Binh adds.
As a woman in this industry, it is key to navigate preconceptions with expertise.
She also pinpoints her desire to meet with other leaders as a major contributor to personal growth: “It’s not just the networking aspect, but also an opportunity to learn from other perspectives.”
Given her driven mindset, it comes as no surprise that Binh is a big fan of our PALFIT fitness program. “I enjoy regular exercise, so that’s a perfect fit,” she smiles. Binh is also a passionate traveler who uses her adventures to broaden her horizon. “I love experiencing new cultures and learning from different environments. More often than not, it allows me to gain a fresh perspective on both personal and professional fronts,” she explains. Even on holiday, Binh is keen to improve herself. Now why doesn’t that surprise us?
Eager to find out more about the career path of PALFINGER MARINE employees? Keep an eye open for the next edition of Faces of PALFINGER MARINE right here.