Origin of Kim Teck Cheong
The story of Kim Teck Cheong (KTC) traces back to the 1910s with a young boy named Lau Yeong Ching, whose path shaped his future and those of subsequent generations. At just eight years old, Datuk Lau Yeong Ching travelled across the South China Sea with his father from Fujian Province, China, to Borneo.
Eager to support his new family, an ambitious young man decided to start a small retail business.
He chose the name Kim Teck Cheong (金德昌) to reflect his aspiration to build a successful enterprise rooted in strong values and noble principles.
It was a tough and demanding journey, but Datuk Lau’s dedication, focus, and perseverance led to a successful outcome. In 1946, he expanded his business by opening a departmental store in Jesselton, now known as Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Datuk Lau Yeong Ching was a visionary leader who remained focused on his business, celebrated successes, learned from mistakes, and avoided complacency. As the family and business patriarch, the late Datuk Lau ensured his son, Datuk Lau Kok Sing, received a comprehensive education and was prepared to assume leadership of the family business. In the mid-1960s, the young Datuk Lau Kok Sing began working in the family business, starting from entry-level roles in daily operations, and eventually succeeded his father. However, in 1973, the business was affected by the oil crisis, which hindered Kim Teck Cheong’s growth trajectory.
Datuk Lau Kok Sing acknowledged the necessity for a revised business strategy to confront economic challenges. Implementing a new plan, he converted his renowned retail outlet into a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distribution and trading enterprise, encompassing logistics management. His decisive action proved successful, enabling the expansion of the business beyond Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, Sandakan, and Labuan. Under his guidance, he obtained several key distributorships, thereby establishing the company as a prominent player within the industry.
To remain competitive, Kim Teck Cheong started exploring distribution services to help brands access markets for consumer-packaged goods (CPG). In 1975, the company was officially formed as Kim Teck Cheong Sdn Bhd to formalise its operations.
In 2003, recognising the need for a family successor to ensure the continuity of the family business, Datuk Lau Yeong Ching and Datuk Lau Kok Sing invited their grandson, Datuk Dexter Lau, to join the enterprise. Datuk Dexter Lau, a barrister-at-law, shared a forward-thinking vision and enthusiasm similar to his grandfather’s, along with the caution and strategic understanding characteristic of his father.
Datuk Dexter Lau learned the business from the ground up to understand it thoroughly. He restructured the company with process improvements to ensure consistent results and introduced corporate governance to better manage direction and control. Following his vision, he rebranded Kim Teck Cheong, transforming it into a dynamic, progressive organisation that attracts and nurtures high-calibre employees, aiming to elevate Kim Teck Cheong to new heights.
Today, Kim Teck Cheong has expanded its reach from Sabah into the neighbouring state of Sarawak and is making international strides by connecting with Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia, with plans to extend even further. The company is renowned for its efficiency and productivity, making it a preferred and ambitious choice in the industry thus establishing it as an ideal business partner for suppliers and clients nationwide.
Kim Teck Cheong, spanning three generations, remains resilient and stands proudly as a testament to its enduring legacy.
Origin of Kim Teck Cheong
Founded in 1938, Kim Teck Cheong (金德昌) represents more than just a name – it embodies the principles of Gold, Morality, and Prosperity that have guided our growth from a humble beginning to East Malaysia’s leading consumer goods distributor.
Our story began when Datuk Lau Yeong Ching established a small sundry shop in Kota Kinabalu. By 1946, his entrepreneurial spirit transformed this modest venture into a thriving departmental store.
In 1973, under the leadership of second-generation Datuk Lau Kok Sing, KTC made a pivotal shift from retail to distribution during the oil crisis. This strategic decision led to rapid expansion beyond Kota Kinabalu into Tawau, Sandakan, and Labuan.
The third generation, led by Datuk Dexter Lau, marked another milestone by listing KTC on Bursa Malaysia in 2015. Under his leadership, KTC expanded into Sarawak, Brunei, and Indonesia, while also venturing into manufacturing operations.
By June 2023, KTC achieved another significant milestone with its transfer to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, demonstrating our continued growth and market leadership.
Key milestones in our growth:
Establishment of
Kim Teck Cheong by founder,
the late Datuk Lau Yeong Ching
1938
Started a departmental store in
Kota Kinabalu
1946
Incorporated Kim Teck Cheong Sdn Bhd to provide market access & coverage of CPG in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
1975
Incorporated Kim Teck
Cheong (Tawau) Sdn.
Bhd. (“KTC Tawau”)
for distribution of CPG
Established
distribution center in
Tawau, Sabah
1983
Established distribution center in Sandakan, Sabah
2000
Incorporated KTC
Brands to distribute
products under own
brands
Acquired 80%
equity interest in
IKH Enterprise
Sdn. Bhd. based
in Sibu, Sarawak.
(subsequently known
as KTC Sarawak)
2003
Established
distribution center
in
Labuan
2006
Extended product range to cover OTC drugs and health supplements
2007
Started distribution of own brands of CPG namely “Bamble” and “Orie”
2011
Incorporated Creamos to manufacture bakery products
2012
Incorporated KTC
Brands to distribute
products under own
brands
Acquired 80%
equity interest in
IKH Enterprise
Sdn. Bhd. based
in Sibu, Sarawak.
(subsequently known
as KTC Sarawak)
2013
Set-up distribution
center in Kuching and
Miri, Sarawak
KTC Distribution
commenced its
distribution activity and
took over consumer
packaged F&B products
from KTC Sdn Bhd
Commenced
manufacturing business
in bakery products
2014
Listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad
2015
Acquired 100% equity
interest in Popular
Trading (Borneo)
Corporation Sdn. Bhd
(subsequently known
as KTC Retail)
Extended distribution
right for P&G products
to Sarawak and Brunei
Set-up distribution
center in Bintulu,
Sarawak
2016
Acquire 60% equity
interest in KTC
Grandtop
Acquire 100%
equity interest in
Kim Teck Cheong
Transpacific Sdn. Bhd.
(subsequently known
as KTC Shipping)
2017
Change of Grandtop
Marketing Sdn Bhd to
KTC Grandtop
Acquire remaining
20% equity interest in
KTC Sarawak
2019
Change of KTC Tawau
to Gardenia and
started commenced
manufacturing bakery
under the brand of
Gardenia in East
Malaysia
Change of Popular
Trading (Borneo)
Corporation Sdn. Bhd.
to KTC Retail as master
distributor for twelveselected
products
categories for all Mesra
and mini Mesra store in
Sabah and Sarawak
2020
Incorporated of KTC
Development
with principally
engaged in property
development
Incorporated of KTC
Agriculture
with principally engaged
in distribution of
perishable goods
Our Group have
implemented
digitalization system,
namely Hummingbird
to improve the internal
processes by way of
automation
2021
Incorporated of
Gardenia Indonesia
with principally
manufacturing bakery
under the brand of
Gardenia in Indonesia
Purchased additional
18 trucks to cater our
customers’ demand
throughout East
Malaysia
2022
Transfer of listing from
the ACE Market to the
Main Market of Bursa
Malaysia Securities
Berhad
Change of KTC
Distribution to KTC
Niaga to commence
trading business in
West Malaysia
Change of KTC
Agriculture to KTC
Academy with
principally provide in
house training to the
Group’s employees
2023
Incorporated of KTC
Technologies with
principally distribution
of telecommunications
products
Purchased additional
35 trucks to cater our
customers’ demand
throught East Malaysia
and Brunei
We have ventured into
West Malaysia through
KTC Niaga
We have secured 4 new
agencies for supplies
of baby care products,
food and beverage
products as well as
telecommunication
products.