Interview with Mr Chan Choo Sing

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 Pa

Having started with only three sets of second-hand sewing machines, and today, PCCS Group besides its core business of garment manufacturing, comprises of 13 subsidiary companies. It’s a greatly inspiring story indeed. Can you share with us what had been the driving spirit towards this huge success?

It is basically the survival spirit and the strong will to succeed in life. Initially, the main ingredients for the success may be attributed to a combination of a few factors, namely; sharp eyes for opportunities, hard work, timing, strong faith and the never say die spirit. Success breeds success and with the inherent entrepreneurial spirit and coupled with the strong parental and family members support has lead to this success.

What is your stance on the global garment industry’s performance in current times? How do you see your country placed in this sector?

There appears to be an overstock situation and compounded with the present difficult global economic situation, sales is expected to decline by low two digits figure BUT it will pick up gradually. The period and speed of recovery will depend on the speed of recovery of the USA and EU markets on the stimulus package provided by their respective governments.

As an established player of Malaysia, knowing the Malaysian garment industry from close, what all do you regard as the hurdles for this industry?

The main hurdle for the garments industry in Malaysia is the lack of workers. This is compounded by the lack of Governmental support as garments industry is not considered as a “preferred” industry in Malaysia.

EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks are going on. What all benefits do you see Malaysia availing from this FTA?

Whatever benefits it may have; they go negated by the difficulties in sourcing for reasonably priced local skilled workers for this industry. This industry is labor intensive and recent government policy does not permit the recruitment of foreign workers for this industry.

Please apprise us with the latest trends in customer/consumers preferences in ready to wear clothes?

It will be skewed towards sports life style – sporty yet casual.

How is your elastic webbing/embroidery business doing?

These have been scaled down in tandem with the garments manufacturing operations in Malaysia.

Any plans on backward integration in textile arena?

There are no immediate or future plans for backward integration in the textile arena.

#######

Published on: 13/04/2009

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.

Print this interview