| James Kon |
THE previous year and the first half of 2016 were really tough for Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd as it felt the impact of the slowdown in the Brunei’s economy.
However, leveraging the power of its more than 200 dedicated staff and our new facilities, the long-established local company is looking at overcoming the challenges and expanding into neighbouring markets.
The impact of general economic slowdown on Kingston’s bottom line was highlighted by Malcolm Lim, Managing Director of Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd, in his address at the Kingston Hari Raya celebration yesterday held at the premises of the main office located in Beribi Light Industrial Area.
Explaining the factors behind the tough period for the company, Malcolm Lim said the drop in oil prices has gradually affected Brunei’s economy which in term has hit the local retail, restaurant and banking businesses, while also dragging down the consumption power of local consumers.
Another factor, he said, “is the slow growth in our fast food business whereby we have to stop the business for the time being and change to other franchise businesses.”
Last but not the least is the weak Malaysian ringgit that has created the issue of parallel imports from the neighbouring country that has affected our sales during Hari Raya, he pointed out.
Group picture of Malcolm Lim with his father, Lim Kian Chai, the founder of Kingston Beverage & Creamery Sdn Bhd as well as staff and family members. – JAMES KON
With the power of our over 200 staff and 30-strong team for secret recipes as well as the facilities, he said Kingston will be able to ride past current difficulties and see more success compared to the last 18 months.
In addition, he revealed that, “We have a new building for our Ice cream factory. The store room will be six times bigger while production areas are ten times bigger. I want to see fast growth in Kingston’s ice cream and dairy business.”
“We need to be very innovative and look to new directions. We want to bring back the iconic push up ice cream very soon. Beside this, we also have many exclusive agency line ups and we will bring in more new equipment to increase production for local market. If we are able to export to Sabah and Sarawak, why not? There the combined population is around six million.”
Lim Kian Chai, the founder of Kingston Beverage & Creamery and his family members as well as some 220 staff attended the celebration.
In addition to the feast, various fun activities were organised to enliven the celebration.
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