kulim
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Kulim Corporate BrochureTRANSCRIPT
WRITTEN BY CHARLES ROBERTS
In an ever-changing world, palm oil producer Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad
continues to pursue sustainable initiatives and environmentally friendly practices with a
continuous commitment to staff well being.
RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
KULIM
Tracing its roots back to 1933, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad began operating a 190-hectare rubber plantation in Johor, Malaysia in 1947 under the name Kulim Rubber Plantations Limited. However, in 1970, the company changed its name to Kulim Group Limited (KGL) and listed shares on the London Stock Exchange.
Three years later, the business expanded from just oil palm and
rubber plantations to include property development in the
UK and hotels in the Caribbean.
In 1975, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad was incorporated and made
public, with KGL becoming a subsidiary. Since then, the group has
consolidated assets, diversified operations and continually expanded.
Today Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is one of the palm oil industry’s leading
organisations in terms of performance, with average five-year yield
per hectare of around 23.50 tonnes.
Maintaining palm product and plantation standards
In order to improve palm product extraction and maintain high
yield levels, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad’s main objectives moving
forward include the development of superior planting materials,
sharing best practices among all operation units and adhering to the
company’s sustainable development philosophy.
To fulfil these aims, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is committed to total
quality management, which is reflected in the various certifications,
including ISO accreditation, obtained by its own and contracted
operating units.
Ultimately, embedding awareness of quality across all
organisational processes is designed to achieve customer and
stakeholder satisfaction at continually lower costs.
As a result of this relentless commitment towards quality,
corporate excellence and sustainability, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad has
received numerous prestigious awards from industry bodies and
international institutions.
Endeavour Magazine | 49
KULIM
Sustainable developmentFrom planting and harvesting to sterilisation and pressing, Kulim
(Malaysia) Berhad is passionate about making the whole palm oil
production process sustainable. “The road to sustainability is not
always easy, and setbacks can occur,” says chairman Kamaruzzaman
Abu Kassim.
“But like our crops, we continue to grow and increase yields for
people and the planet. We are poised for big changes ahead and we
look forward to the new challenges.”
Over the past four years, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad has taken
various measures and made several changes in relation to its
sustainability strategy. “We have divested our oleochemicals business
and are in the process of divesting our foods and restaurants business,”
notes Kamaruzzaman.
“We have also acquired additional oil palm estates, allowing us
to strengthen and develop our sustainable agri-business model.
Our commitments to sustainable agriculture are now central to our
business strategy.”
Thanks to this devoted stance, the company was one of the first
palm oil producers to be certified to the Roundtable on Sustainable
Palm Oil standard in 2009. As such, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is
dedicated to its 30:30 initiative,
which aims to raise fruit yields to
30 tonnes per hectare and palm
product extraction rates to 30
per cent.
“A voluntary standard,
the RSPO’s international
credibility and commitment to
stakeholder inclusion makes
the certification credible and
robust, though there are always
opportunities for improvements,”
notes Kulim (Malaysia)
Berhad’s Sustainability Report
2010/2011. “We believe that it
represents the most responsible
way to grow oil palm. All our
planted areas meet the stringent
RSPO Principles and Criteria for
sustainable palm oil production.”
Supporting a valuable workforce
Along with these global
issues, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad
also strives to be an employer of
choice at a local level. In 2009,
the company pledged to do more
for members of staff at the lower
end of the pay scale.
“Since then, most of these
employees have been given the
opportunity to earn additional
income, and housing and facilities
provided to our employees have
also been upgraded,” reveals
Kamaruzzaman.
“We are also focusing on end-
of-career training, contributing
to fulfilling, active and decent
retirement for our employees.”
As well as improving working
conditions and tackling complex
health and safety issues, gender
equality is another significant
issue for the company.
Kamaruzzaman explains:
“Our Women OnWards’
initiative goes from strength
to strength, increasing
opportunities for women at all
levels. We are also supportive of
the recommendations adopted
by the Government and Bursa
Malaysia that 30 per cent of
decision-makers in PLCs should
be female.
“Perhaps such targets will
one day be obsolete, but our
experiences show that support
and encouragement of women is
crucial.”
Although fast growing
industries in Indonesia and Africa
are increasingly recruiting oil
plant workers, Kamaruzzaman is
confident of retaining a valued
workforce.
“We know from surveys and
focus groups that our employees
are generally happy to work for
us,” he cites. “We have focused
on strengthening our decision
making and management to allow
for a better working climate.”
Recent developments
Thanks to impressive results
in terms of yields and palm
products extraction, Kulim
(Malaysia) Berhad is expected
to raise its stake in associate
company New Britain Palm Oil
Limited (NBPOL) to a controlling
level within the next few months.
“When there are good
business opportunities and the
timing is right, you should not
miss them or let them go,” says
Kamaruzzaman.
Recently, Kulim increased
its stake in the subsidiary by 20
per cent to 68.97 per cent. “The
offer to increase our investment
in NBPOL represents a vote
of confidence in NBPOL,”
cites Kamaruzzaman. “It also
AWAN TIMUR GROUPInnovative • Technology DrivenDedicated Team • Reliable • Experienced
Products & Services Design, Build and CommissioningComplete turnkey projects in construction of palm oil mills both locally and overseas.Undertakes mill modification or mill upgrading.
Pressure VesselLicensed manufacturer of unfired pressure vessels like Vertical Sterilizer, horizontal sterilizer, back pressure receiver, pressure sand filter, softener, oil vacuum dryer, de-aerator & air receiver.
Clutch DoorLicensed manufacturer of sterilizer clutch door & dish end.
BoilerLicensed manufacturer and repairer of steam vessel, fired and unfired pressure vessels.
Manufacturing & SupplyWe have fully equipped fabrication shop for both light & heavy fabrication works.
Environmental WorkProfessional consultation for integrated waste management system and modular trouble-shooting design that can assist in reducing environmental issues. Our system includes Value+ Bio-Composting System and dust particulate trapping system for boiler stack.
Equipments & SparesOur sales offices at variuos strategic locations in Malaysia and Indonesia carry wide array of industrial products, parts, spares and equipment to serve the customers’ need. In addition, we are the authorized distribution agent for Sumitomo Gearbox, Hanson Gearbox, TRP Chain and Renold Chain.
Engineering ConsultationOffer professional consultation for turnkey projects in plam oil mill, engineering design & technology development that customized to customers’ requirements and also retrofit existing machinery /system for better performance.
Maintenance ServicesAfter sales services and schedule field maintenance work for palm oil mills.
Training & Advisory ServicesOffer training for palm oil mill engineers and provide advisory services for palm oil mill by our experienced engineers.
KULIM
represents a vote of confidence in the growth prospects of Papua
New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the other markets that NBPOL
serves.”
After the company’s AGM, Kamaruzzaman said the oil palm
division would remain Kulim’s main business activity, but was actively
looking at ways to develop, strengthen and grow operations.
“We are continuously exploring new land opportunities from
time to time for our oil palm business both locally and abroad,”
he added. Although Kulim divested its Indonesian investment in
2007, Kamaruzzaman did not dismiss the possibility of returning,
as Malaysian landowner prices were “too exorbitant” for oil palm
cultivation.
Even so, the company is
still planning to capitalise on
new business opportunities,
particularly in the oil and gas
industry as well as selective
property development.
“We see Petroliam
Nasional Bhd’s Refinery and
Petrochemical Integrated
Development or Rapid project
in Pengerang, Johor, as a good
platform to offer support
services to the oil and gas players
there,” noted Kamaruzzaman.
Regardless of acquisition
or expansion plans, you can be
sure that the group’s sustainable
development initiatives,
commitment to employees and
high yield levels will continue to
deliver successful results.
ATG is a leading palm oil mill construction specialist with vast experience in design and construct, fabrication works and also an authorized supplier of crucial machines & spares necessary for driving the oil palm industry. ATG was founded in 1992 and based her operation in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. It has the expertise and capacity to undertake turnkey palm oil mill projects, manufacture mill machinery/ equipment and establishing strategic alliance with suppliers. Since then ATG has successfully constructed and commissioned many turnkey projects at competitive cost including our ProAuto™ Vertical sterilization system.The Company welcomes enquiries from potential customers & business partners. Site visits to view the ProAuto™ Vertical Sterilization System either in Malaysia or Indonesia can be arranged.
Our Vision
“To become a leading technology and service provider for palm oil mill.”
Our Mission
“To become a fully integrated palm oil mill product and service provider that creates competitive advantage to our clients through technical know-how, sustainable technology development and care for the environment.”
No. 22, Jalan Kg. Baru, Taman Perkasa86000 Kluang Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60-7-7738464 +60-7-7720172 / 7720777Fax: +60-7-7733464 +60-7-7737566
Email: [email protected]: www.awantimurgroup.com
Contact Persons
Aland [email protected]+60-12-7729020Mohd [email protected]+60-19-6609020
AWAN TIMUR GROUPInnovative • Technology DrivenDedicated Team • Reliable • Experienced
46 | Endeavour Magazine
KULIM
0060 7 861 1611
WWW.KULIM.COM.MY
RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
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