Just as a sturdy foundation is important for any construction project, laying the groundwork in business to secure its future and ensure it can weather fluctuating economic conditions is equally important. TSI Group Malaysia (TSIGM) built on its experience as a specialist contractor, wholesale trader and property developer to fuel its latest venture - developing the largest wholesale city in Southeast Asia, GM Klang. TSIGM developed GM Kuala Lumpur, the first wholesale plaza in Malaysia, in 2003. The bazaar houses more than 330 wholesalers selling various small commodities such as ladies' accessories and fashion garments. The success of this project led TSIGM to embark on priming a piece of land in Klang to house more than 3,000 wholesalers. "We want to be a key player in creating an international trading port for Klang. We want to provide a venue for internationalisation, a place for wholesalers and manufacturers to sell products to the whole region," says Lim Seng Kok, TSIGM group managing director. "We provide wholesale space as a platform for small and medium-scale wholesalers to conduct their business. We want to position our new wholesale city as Southeast Asia's most comprehensive and largest." TSIGM made its name in Malaysia providing ceiling, flooring and partitioning products and services to large-scale interior fit-out and renovation works. From these core services, TSIGM branched out to trading premium building and architectural materials. The expansion of TSIGM's portfolio served as the vehicle for its international expansion. TSIGM's work on some Malaysian landmarks - KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel and Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, among others - has also positioned the company as a key regional player. Adding to TSIGM's prestige is its ceiling and cladding works on Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and some landmark projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. TSIGM works closely with local and international suppliers to tailor-fit materials to project specifications. The company imports pre-fabricated building materials from the mainland, particularly Guangzhou.
