SCG chief banking on people

When most executives talk about digital disruption, they point to algorithms, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) as the forces reshaping business, but Thammasak Sethaudom, chief executive officer of The Siam Cement Plc, known as Siam Cement Group (SCG), sees things differently.

For him, the true catalysts of change are not machines, but people.

This belief has become the cornerstone of his leadership. Since taking the helm of SCG, a century-old industrial conglomerate, Mr. Thammasak has placed workplace culture at the heart of transformation. His vision is clear: empower employees to think creatively, learn continuously, and act with purpose.

In his words, SCG is becoming “an organisation of possibilities”, where every individual has the opportunity to unlock their potential and contribute to a sustainable future.

Mr. Thammasak said culture is the most powerful tool for growth, steering SCG away from rigid hierarchies toward an open, collaborative environment that values ideas from every level.

Programmes such as Zero to One and SCG Prompt-A-Thon embody this shift. Employees are encouraged to experiment with startup-style methods and emerging technologies, including generative AI, to create, test and launch new ideas.

“AI is going to be a critical driving force that elevates the productivity of a team and an organisation,” he said.

“The future does not belong to AI or to people alone; rather, it is in the hands of those who know how to use AI as an amplifying power.”

SCG is using AI for a variety of purposes. For example, it uses AI in combination with robotics to control its operating costs. SCG Décor Plc, the operator of a decor surfaces and bathroom business, announced that it plans to utilise AI to assist in product design, simulate processes before actual production, perform quality inspections and manage its warehouse.

For Mr. Thammasak, innovation and human sustainability are inseparable. SCG’s transformation extends beyond skills training to encompass employee wellbeing, talent retention and leadership development.

The company offers mental health services, healthcare initiatives and continuous learning platforms — all designed to ensure employees thrive both personally and professionally.

This approach has earned SCG national recognition. The company received the National Innovation Award in 2024 for building an “innovation organisation” driven by people and creativity. By 2025, it was ranked among Thailand’s “Top 50 Companies to Work For”, cementing its reputation as one of the country’s most admired employers.

Overseeing 55,000 employees — many of them millennials — Mr. Thammasak emphasises curiosity, adaptability and empathy as key qualities for the modern workforce.

He promotes intergenerational collaboration, fostering openness and respect across age groups. His leadership style combines a forward-looking strategy with people-centred values, aligning personal growth with corporate innovation.

In an era in which many leaders pursue technology as the ultimate solution, Mr. Thammasak stands out for his belief that people remain the most powerful drivers of change.

Under his guidance, SCG is not just adapting to disruption — it is redefining what a people-powered organisation can achieve.