Interview
Mr Chan Choo Sing - Chairman & Group MD, PCCS Group Berhad

As modest beginnings in 1973, today's PCCS Group Berhad (PGB) had commenced operations with just three sets of second-hand sewing machines to manufacture garments in Batu Pahat, Malaysia. Under the able entrepreneurship of the founders of the company Mr Chan Choo Sing and Mr Chan Kok Hiang, and with hard work, persistence and unrelenting drive to diversify into related businesses and a vision to venture overseas the firm soon took the giant shape as one of leading Malaysian garment manufacturers group that embarks annual turnover of USD123 million. The pinnacle of success for PGB Group, thus far, is the listing of the Company on The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Main Board in 1995.

PCCS’ products consist of all ranges of adult and children apparels including jackets, tracksuits, blouses, polo-shirts and winter clothing. Today besides its core business of garment manufacturing, the Group which comprises of 13 subsidiary companies is engaged in ancillary services which include embroidering, labeling, fabric knitting and elastic webbing, marketing and distribution of its products overseas. The Group has over the years created a niche for itself by achieving a competitive advantage in the textiles and apparels market, both locally and abroad.

Mr Chan Choo Sing (Non-Independent Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director), a Malaysian and aged 54, was appointed to the Board of PCCS on 21 June 1995. Mr Sing started his career when he ventured into a garment business known as Chan Trading in 1973. In 1981, he founded Perusahaan Chan Choo Sing Sdn. Bhd. (“PCCSSB”), a company primarily involved in the manufacturing of garments. His entrepreneurial skills and ability to recognize business and expansion opportunities have led to successful business ventures including the forming of a number of companies actively involved in the garment industry.

In 1990, Mr Sing ventured into the packaging business by founding Harta Packaging Industries Sdn. Bhd. His sharp business acumen led to successful business ventures through the acquisition of shares in Harta Packaging Industries (Perak) Sdn. Bhd in 1992, Fibre Pak (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. in 1994 and Harta Packaging Industries (Malacca) Sdn. Bhd. in 1998. Harta was successfully listed on the Second Board of Bursa Securities in 1997 as HPI Resources Berhad (“HRB”). Mr Sing is also the Executive Chairman of HRB since 1997.

During the period from 2001 to 2006, Mr Sing was the Chairman of the Chinese Association in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat. Mr Sing is also on the board of several private limited companies. He is a member of the Remuneration Committee of PCCS.

Speaking exclusively with Face2Face team, Mr Chan Choo Sing reveals about the present state of global textile and clothing industry as well as the hurdles that the sector faces in Malaysia.