KUCHING: KTS Group of Companies’ (KTS) long-standing partnership with Stihl Holding AG & Co KG (Stihl) was honoured with a welcoming dinner on Wednesday night at KTS Garden.
In his speech, KTS chief executive officer Dato Henry Lau said the event will provide both Stihl and KTS an opportunity to cement their commitment for a sustainable business relationship and development.
“Dr (Nikolas) Stihl’s maiden visit to Kuching after he has taken over the chairmanship of the Stihl Advisory Board is a reflection of his care and concern for the progress and advancement of our corporate partnership, in particular with regard to Stihl products in East Malaysia and Brunei,” he said.
He added that this visit is viewed as very important and vital to the confidence of the business operation. In addition, he believes that KTS can represent Stihl to dominate this market in sales of their products in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei.
“Over the past 46 years, we have indeed established a strong and fruitful relationship with Stihl corporation and together we have excelled to become the number one stakeholder in the chainsaw market in the three territories,” Lau said.
He further acknowledged that KTS’ success in marketing Stihl products has been made possible by Stihl’s cooperation, incessant encouragement, guidance and support, coupled with the dedication of KTS staff and full commitment of dealers who have made great contribution towards the group’s achievement.
Dr Nikolas, chairman of Stihl Supervisory and Advisory Boards, later took the stage to highlight that to have joint success, it is essential to preserve the culture of “short and direct ways” to Stihl’s top importers and dealers worldwide.
“The decision taken in 1968 to export Stihl products to Southeast Asia together with KTS as our importer was a big step for us. It quickly turned out that this initiative has been proven right,” he acknowledged.
He added that today, KTS distributes the entire Stihl portfolio via 70 points of sales, through its own branches and authroised dealers in the three regions.
“We greatly appreciate the excellent cooperation with KTS as our success in Malaysia is closely linked to your efforts,” Dr Nikolas said.
During the dinner, the Stihl-KTS corporate partnership acknowledged 32 out of 50 Stihl dealers across the three regions.
“Those present here are the best dealers in our market. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate their marketing skills and strategies in achieving enormous success in marketing and selling Stihl products,” Lau noted.
In appreciation of their remarkable performance in the past, they were granted an award in the form of a plaque with Dr Stihl and Nobert Pick bearing witness to their recognition.