Amway Malaysia officially opens its new HQ
by Arveena M
January 23, 2010, Saturday
PETALING JAYA: Multinational company, Amway (Malaysia) Holdings Bhd (Amway Malaysia), had its new headquarters officially presented to its distributors as well as their guests, here yesterday.
HAPPY TOGETHER: Low, Steve, Datuk Seri Ismail, Halim Mohyddin, Paul Yee, at the press conference after the official launch of Amway Malaysia’s headquarters in Jln 223, Petaling Jaya.
The launch of its headquarters, which took place at its new three-storey premises, is spread across 4.5 acres of land and boasts of three times the built-up area and land size of its previous headquarters, with features that are sustainable, modern and functional.
Amway Malaysia’s executive director, who is also its general manager, Paul Yee told The Borneo Post that the new Amway Malaysia corporate headquarters was built at a cost of approximately RM100 million, which included land acquisition, construction and interior design. It consists of an office and a warehouse block.
He added that the East Malaysian market is an important market for Amway and the company currently operates five Regional Distribution Centres (RDC) located in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan, as well as an RDC in Brunei.
In May 2009, Amway opened the pick and pay concept Amway Shop in Bintulu as part of company’s strategy to enhance Amway’s physical presence and Distributors’ and customers’ accessibility to Amway products.
When asked if Amway has any immediate plans to further expand its foothold in East Malaysia, Yee explained, “No. Not presently. Nevertheless, Amway is constantly on the lookout to expand into new towns and cities with strong market potential to create greater visibility and reinforce Amway’s presence in Malaysia.”
Amway (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is a wholly owned subsidiary of main Board listed AmWay Malaysia Bhd, which recorded a turnover of RM645.5 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
Not only incorporating sustainable features into its new headquarters, Amway Malaysia’s new facility now will be able to cater to packing orders of more than 6,000 per day, compared with a mere 2,000 orders per day at the previous headquarters.
Amway Malaysia’s managing director, Low Han Kee, expressed during the press conference that, “The new headquarters demonstrates Amway’s commitment to provide our distributors and employees a sustainable, modern and functional environment. We also have in-house training facilities for our distributors.”
According to Steve Van Andel, chairman of Amway Malaysia’s parent company, Alticor Inc, the opening of the new facility was a proud moment in Amway’s corporate history.
“We entered the Malaysian market in 1976 with expectations of doing well in this region but Malaysia is now amongst the top ten affiliates globally and it continues to be stronger year by year.”
In 2007, the direct selling industry contributed RM5.63 billion to the country’s economy and in 2008, it registered at RM3.56 billion. For 2009, it was approximated RM4.3 billion.
Also present at the headquarters’ officiating ceremony were Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Amway Malaysia’s chairman, Datuk Halim Mohyddin.
