BP Healthcare operates largest one-stop chain
Discovery Reports
The BP Healthcare Group celebrates its 30th anniversary this year as the largest fully integrated health care chain in Malaysia. "BP actually stands for my parents' initials, Beh and Poh," says director for investment and finance Chevy Beh. "But now it may also mean 'beyond pathology' as we have evolved far beyond the pathological laboratory we used to be."
From a single medical laboratory, BP Healthcare has expanded to 50 one-stop diagnostic centres nationwide. These outlets also offer pharmacy, hearing solutions, industrial pre-employment screening, food testing and related information technology services.
The company's growth followed a natural progression. To better service clients coming to them for their laboratory tests, BP Healthcare began employing doctors to evaluate the results.
The company formed its own delivery company because it did not want its specimens delivered with non-clinical products as in the case with an outside courier. This bolstered its pharmaceutical arm. The result is high-quality service at competitive prices. BP Healthcare early on acquired ISO 15189 certification for its laboratories. It is also the first and only healthcare company endorsed by the Malaysian government.
Given its size and business model, BP Healthcare is able offer its services at prices 40 to 50 per cent lower than the other providers because it has everything under one roof. The company does not need to look for partners or rent additional space to offer other services.
Business volume grew by about 50 per cent last year, or five times the industry average.
"We have to move very fast because we are responsible for our stakeholders, partners, suppliers, clients and employees," Beh says. "I think we have the right business model and we are trying to replicate it everywhere."
The company has partnered with the Ciputra Group to set up 100 outlets in Indonesia in the next three years. A similar collaboration with Red Bull International of Thailand will open 50 branches in that country.
"We are going for regional play then global," Beh says. "The mainland is very important to us and our doors are always open for any good strategic partner." BP Healthcare welcomes potential partners with good reputations in the marketplace and they do not necessarily have to come from the health care sector.
