Source:
https://scmp.com/presented/business/topics/malaysia-country-report/article/1886399/federal-furniture-bolsters
Business

Federal Furniture bolsters domestic foothold, steers towards Asia

Discovery Reports

Updated: 5:09pm, 23 Mar, 2016

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Choy Wai Hin, managing director

As one of Malaysia's furniture industry pioneers, Federal Furniture upholds more than 50 years of expertise in creating tailored furniture and fittings for residential and premium commercial use.

"We bring concepts to life and consult with clients on what they want to achieve, and make it happen," says Choy Wai Hin, managing director.

Bursa Malaysia-listed Federal Furniture has three core operations - interior fit-out, manufacturing and export, and retail. Last year, its turnover rose by 22 per cent owing to high export growth and large-scale interior fit-out projects. To further increase production capacity and improve efficiencies, it invested 3 million ringgit (HK$5.27 million) to upgrade its manufacturing line with German technology.

For its interior fit-out division, Federal Furniture produces high-end architectural millwork, furniture, fixtures and furnishings. The company was the main fit-out contractor for Malaysian Petroleum Club in Petronas Twin Towers. Federal Furniture is also a supplier to top-calibre hotels such as The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, and The St Regis Kuala Lumpur.

Under its manufacturing and export division, Federal Furniture is an original equipment manufacturer of modular shop fixtures and casework. It counts international brands such as Coach, McDonald's UK and Starbucks across Asia-Pacific - including Japan and South Korea - among its clientele.

The company's retail segment - Kitchen Plus - is Malaysia's first kitchen superstore located in Damansara Perdana. With more than 12,000 sq ft of retail space and 36 kitchen displays, Kitchen Plus offers end-to-end design, supply and installation of kitchen components - from simple countertops to luxury kitchens and electrical appliances. The company is scaling up its retail footprint by opening a second branch in Shah Alam and three more branches across the country.

Aiming to bring the Kitchen Plus experience across Asia, Federal Furniture eyes venture partnerships with small-scale and export-oriented local furniture companies, particularly in Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam. It also seeks capital inflows from investors for the development of sustainable furniture design materials alongside technology transfer collaborations.