Press Release

Malaysian SMEs awarded for their accomplishments at SOBA 2016

 

MORE than 700 business players gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at The Star Outstanding Business Awards 2016 (SOBA 2016).

Held for the seventh time, the ceremony recognised Malaysian companies that have had a significant impact on the growth of the nation and economy.

Mega Fortris (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which specialises in the design and manufacturing of security seals, was the big winner of the night as the company bagged Malaysian Business of the Year (Above RM25mil category), Gold for Best Global Market, Gold for Best Innovation and Silver for Best Brand in the Above RM25mil category.

Group chief executive officer Adrian Ng Meng Poh, who also won Male Entrepreneur of the Year, (in the Above RM25mil category) said integrity and humility are timeless values that have built the company.

“It has been a journey of 20 years for us to get here and we will continue to strive forward to become number one in the world.

“My advice to young entrepreneurs is to continuously work and if you fall down, get up and start again. That is what I did,” he said.

Another multiple award winner was Maxvue Vision Sdn Bhd which deals in branded contact lenses and eye care.

The company bagged Malaysian Business of the Year, Gold for Best in Marketing, Platinum for Best Brand and Platinum for Best Global Market in the Up to RM25mil category.

Its chief executive officer Selvam Kanniah said he did not expect such a big win as it was their first time participating in SOBA.

“We are here today because of 12 years of hard work and right now it feels like all our hard work has paid off.

“When we first started, it took five years for us to see some cash balance in our account. It really is a long-term effort.

“Young people should not be discouraged by this and venture into e-commerce as there are plenty of opportunities for them to grow,” he said.

Dressed in a stunning black gown, Acestar Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Natalie Sit received the award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year in the Up to RM25mil category.

Also winning Silver for Best Employer in the Up to RM25mil category, Sit said she had envisioned this moment for years.

“This is my dream award.

“The IT industry tends to be a male domain but that does not mean women can’t be successful.

“I never gave up. Even though I fell down many times, it just made me stronger.

“My advice to women is to find your passion, identify your direction and get the best team together to succeed,” she said.

For the Above RM25mil category, Datuk Calvin Khiu, founder and managing director of MK Wedding Sdn Bhd, took home the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award while MK Textiles Holdings Sdn Bhd, in the Up to RM25mil category, won Platinum for Best in CSR. Both firms are MK Curtain Group’s subsidiary companies.

Inspiring other companies with its continuous drive forward, ExcelVite Sdn Bhd may not have taken home awards in multiple categories but achieved a significant award by bagging the overall Rising Star award.

SOBA 2016 awards were presented by guest-of-honour Transport Minister and MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Star Media Group Bhd chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow and Star Media Group Bhd group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.

Wong congratulated the winners for their outstanding achievements and announced that SOBA 2016 had recorded the highest number of submissions.

“SOBA aims to encourage homegrown business owners to soar beyond the usual boundaries and encourage local businesses to create new products and reorient their business for the global arena.

“In this more challenging economic environment, we believe SMEs need to consider repositioning their business strategies and find new markets and avenues of growth.

“Re-engineering of processes would also be required to better manage higher cost conditions.

“As important as achieving cost efficiency is the need to raise the level of value creation and find new areas of growth,” added Wong.

SOBA 2016 is organised by Star Media Group Bhd with AmBank as its main sponsor, BMW Malaysia, Credit Guarantee Corporation and Matrade as co-sponsors with Connexion Conference & Event Centre as the official venue sponsor.