KUCHING: CCB Consolidated Holdings Bhd (CCB)’s outlook for the years to come is looking very positive with the improving economy.
CLEANLINESS: Ling ensures that the closed house system used in the large farm areas minimises the risk of poultry diseases.
“By continuing our expansion programme here in Sarawak as well as exploring new markets in West Malaysia, Sabah and Indonesia, we are hopeful that we will perform well in the future,” the executive director of CCB, Ling Chong Seng told The Borneo Post.
Ling pointed out that creating awareness is very important for the group in an effort to market its brand name to consumers.
“Efforts have been done to create awareness of our brand such as sponsorships during Ramadhan to Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and Kuching City South Council (MBKS) for the Ramadhan Bazaar and product promotions. Out of all the efforts to market our brand name, we found out that product promotion is the most effective way,” explained Ling.
In relating the marketing efforts to the recent Minggu Saham Amanah Malaysia (MSAM), he said that participating in exhibitions like the MSAM is also very effective in creating awareness amongst interstate customers.
“Besides all that I have mentioned, all our outlets have the same standard set up and outlay. Customers patronising our outlets will feel very much at home regardless of which outlet they patronise,” he said.
Ling mentioned that CCB is unique because the group is self-sufficient and has its own integrated chain.
“Our own integrated chain covers hatchery, breeding farms, chicken abattoir, transport and outlets. This ensures the freshness of our products and quality control,” Ling added.
When asked on the group’s investment in modern facilities, he revealed that CCB spent about RM40 million on modern processing facilities for both the chicken abattoir and prawn processing facilities.
When asked about the level of involvement in research and development by the group, Ling said, “Nothing is more important to us than proper R&D activities as this forms the very core of our organisation’s mission to provide quality merchandise to our customers.”
“Throughout the year, we carry out various R&D activities and market surveys. These are done to improve our product base and maintain our quality service in order to keep our customers satisfied. R&D and market surveys are also used to source our new locations to open new outlets. This has been particularly effective in opening new outlets in Sabah and Indonesia. On average, we budget about five per cent of our total annual expenses on R&D,” enthused Ling.
On the group’s plan for diversification and exploring new markets, he said that CCB is always on the lookout for new markets. The group has moved out of its niche market in Sarawak and is now expanding its retail outlets in Sabah and Indonesia. He also said that the group was also looking out for good locations in West Malaysia in its continuing efforts to expand its West Malaysian operations.
When talking about the recent scare of poultry diseases, Ling ensured that the closed house system used in the large farm areas minimises the risk of poultry diseases.
“As a public listed company, the group performed very well last year.
For the financial year ended June 30 last year, we achieved a net profit before tax of RM16.7 million.
“In recognition of the excellent results, the company paid out a special interim dividend for the financial year ending June 30 this year and a final dividend for the year ended June 30 last year.
Besides that, the company also distributed a share dividend on the basis of one treasury share for every 30 ordinary shares held.
“For the year ending June 30 this year, we expect the group to achieve better results compared with the previous year,” said Ling.
Ling also gave his comments on aquaculture in Sarawak.
“As for aquaculture in Sarawak, we are still very far behind as compared with other countries.
However, there is still a good opportunity to expand further in this business as the water ways in Sarawak are relatively clean and safe from diseases.
“We still need our government’s support in this field particularly in R&D on prawn fry, prawn feed, growing, processing so as to reduce costs and increase our competitiveness in the market as well as to increase quality and productivity.
“Our group exports 80 per cent of shrimps overseas thereby competing with other countries which are much more advanced in the prawn aquaculture business like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and India,” he commented.
Commenting on the group’s aim in participating in the recently concluded MSAM, Ling said that the group aims to increase its profile amongst the investing public.
“We are promoting some of our new products such as the honey frankfurters and also took the opportunity to showcase some of our best selling products such as CCK Chicken Franks, CCK Chicken Nuggets and IQF Vannamei White Prawns,” he concluded.