Sri Trang targets ‘factory of the future’ with AI and automation push

Thai conglomerate Sri Trang is accelerating its digital transformation with a sweeping plan to integrate artificial intelligence and automation across its manufacturing operations in 2026. The initiative, branded as the Sri Trang AI Machine (SAM), will expand the existing “AI Dryer” technology from two natural rubber facilities to six plants in 2026, followed by eight more in 2027. The SAM program is also being rolled out within the group’s rubber glove manufacturing business. This forms part of a broader “factory of the future” strategy aimed at unifying machinery, automation, data analytics, and AI into a single, intelligent manufacturing ecosystem. The project covers every stage of production—from raw material intake and quality assessment through energy management, quality inspection, and real-time operational monitoring and management. Sri Trang emphasized that the upgrades are designed to boost operational efficiency, improve accuracy in decision-making, and streamline workflows across its rubber plantation, natural rubber, and rubber glove divisions. The company stated that AI applications will be embedded throughout the entire value chain, including employee workflows and cross-organizational processes. The announcement was made on 14 August, with the transformation drive set to unfold over the next two years.