Friday 9 June 2006
M22 | Events
METRO
Largest shoe showroom opens
By GEETHA KRISHNAN
geetha@thestar.com.my
Seri Kembangan is one step closer to establishing itself as the hub for footwear and leather products.
Back in 2001, the Selangor state government had identified a site near the Bukit Serdang Industrial Area for the proposed Seri Kembangan Footwear and Leather Products Park. In view of the number of shoe and leather products factories in the area.
However, plans for the 12ha park were shelved due to the economic recession.
The negative impact on the local footwear industry in the wake of stiff competition from China and Vietnam also put plans for the park on hold. The opening of the Kong Brothers Shoes Cirt Showroom today is a good start to re-organising the shoe project,” said Seri Kembangan Assemblyman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong.
He was speaking to the media after the launch of the Kong Brothers Shoes City Showroom in Section 7 of the Bukit Serdang Industrial Area in Seri Kembangan on Tuesday. The guest of honour was Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho.
Liew also said he would renegotiate plans for the park with the state government and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).
Kong Brothers Shoes City offers 1,944 sq. m of showroom space dedicated to displaying more than 30,000 shoes in various designs. It caters to wholesalers and is eyeing the export market to the Middle East and Europe.
Kong Brothers Group Founder, Kong Kwai Meng said the megastore operation technique allowed the company to offer wholesaler quality footwear for everyone at affordable prices with high profit margins.
“Serdang was once known as the Shoe City of Malaysia with more than 200 shoe manufacturers and wholesalers operating here. Recession and strong competition from China and Vietnam have reduced the number to 50 today.” He said in his speech.
At the launch, Tan also handed the Malaysia Book of Records certificate to Kong for opening the largest shoe showroom in Malaysia and South-East Asia. Kong Brothers Shoes City has a total built-up area of 4,536 sq. m.
Kong rose from humble beginnings as an apprentice shoemaker to establish his own business at his home in Serdang. The home-based company, involving other family members, grew rapidly, expanding to a shoe factory.
In his speech, Tan commended Kong for his perseverance and dedication that eventually led to his rags-to-riches success. He also said Kong was an exemplary entrepreneur who made the most of his shoe-making skills.
Kong Brothers Shoes City carries over 10 in-house brands like Speedy Rhino, Guzzo, Knight and Spanner. It also exports to Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei and plans to export to France and Italy next.
The shoes are designed by in-house designers following extensive research and development and manufactured at over 20 factories spread throughout Malaysia. Kong hopes to achieve world-class standard for his footwear in future.
The showroom is at 5, Jalan BS7/18, Bukit Serdang Industrial Area, Section 7, Seri Kembangan (tel: 03-8948 8811)