Sweeping the yard, watering plants, and trimming grass are the daily duties of a gardener. Yet our OCS Indonesia colleague goes far beyond those routine tasks and make his workplace both more welcoming and more efficient. His creative thinking has earned him respect and recognition.
Fixing with what’s at hand
Eka Permana, our gardener, has a way of turning everyday challenges into practical, eco-friendly solutions. Whenever he comes across a problem, his instinct is to look for a green-minded fix.
One example came when the seat of the three-wheeled motorbike he used for daily watering was worn out. It had become uncomfortable and unsafe, and clearly needed replacing. Instead of waiting for a replacement, Eka looked around at the manufacturing site where he’s assigned and found materials he could reuse. With discarded car seat covers and foam from an unused office chair, he rebuilt the seat himself. The result was something safe, comfortable, and as good as new.
“The challenge is how we can come up with useful fixes by making the most of what’s already around us. What’s encouraging is that our customers support our ideas by providing tools and materials when needed.”
Eka Permana
Gardener OCS Indonesia
Keeping the air fresh and plants thriving
Since joining OCS two years ago, Eka has introduced ideas that make work more efficient and the environment greener. One of his most effective innovations is an automatic watering system for plants that often struggle in the hot, dry weather.
Using spare hoses provided by the customer, he connected them to a water tank surrounding the garden. Now, with the turn of a single tap, water flows evenly to the plants. The system saves time and effort, especially on holidays, and ensures the garden remains healthy without requiring the team to walk the whole area each day.
Eka’s efforts go beyond the workplace too. Together with his colleagues, he trims back overgrown grass along a nearby village road. The grass often narrows the path and makes it slippery in the rainy season.
“This is the path where people commute to work. By coordinating with our customer, colleagues, and the local community, we made this ESG initiative run smoothly. It’s not only made the area more beautiful, but also safer for everyone,” Eka said.
The manufacturing environment may be hot and dry, but through small, consistent actions, Eka is helping create a greener and more welcoming place for both his colleagues and the surrounding community.
Recognition that inspires
Eka’s journey shows that respect comes through action. His ideas have improved daily work and earned him appreciation from those around him. At OCS, his efforts are recognised through the TRUE Star programme, which he has won three times. He admits he never expected small steps to receive such attention, as none of his previous workplaces had anything similar.
“The TRUE Star programme means a lot to me. It makes people feel valued when they make differences. As long as I can contribute to OCS’s growth, I’ll keep making improvements because change begins with ourselves.”
For Eka, transformation doesn’t have to start with big plans. Simple steps can bring real progress, and he hopes his story encourages colleagues across Indonesia.
“Even if you don’t have big idea, just begin with what you can. You can also take inspiration from other TRUE Star winners. Their work shows how small changes can benefit both the workplace and the environment.”