Business Students Take a Sweet Dive into Operations at Beryl Chocolate Factory

Students from the Certificate in Business Studies programme at Sunway College had the chance to explore the real-world side of operations management during a field trip to Beryl Chocolate Factory. Guided by lecturers Jesilin Manjula and Fatimah Sakeenah, the visit was part of their coursework requirement for the CBS3173: Introduction to Operations Management course.

The trip aimed to help students understand how raw materials are transformed into finished products through manufacturing and service operations. The students learnt about the variety of cocoa beans used to make good quality chocolates. It also supported key course learning outcomes related to project management, supply chain logistics, and layout strategy. The visit began with a warm welcome and a briefing on the history of Beryl Chocolate Factory in Malaysia.

At the demo factory, students were given a tour of the chocolate museum and gallery, where they saw how gourmet chocolate production has evolved—from traditional tools to modern machinery. A video presentation in a cosy auditorium showed the full production process in the real Beryl Chocolate Factory that is fully automated. This included the automation that carried out blending, refining, moulding, and packaging operations.

Next, students visited Beryl’s retail outlet, where they observed how layout design and customer service play a role in business success. They also had a Q&A session with factory staff, gaining insights into supply chain strategies and the reasons behind the factory’s location. The students were rewarded with some free chocolates too. The trip wrapped up with some chocolate shopping and a return to campus by mid-afternoon.

Students walked away with a clearer understanding of how operations management works in real life. They saw how theory connects with real-life practice and how every step, from sourcing cocoa beans to selling chocolates, requires careful planning and coordination. The visit was not only educational but also engaging, giving students a memorable experience and inspirations that brought their classroom lessons to life.