TWENTY years ago, EKO Metal Industries started operation from a light industry workshop with a built-up area of approximately 9,200sq ft and with only a workforce of five persons.
But today, it has a total of workforce of 600 workers in three manufacturing plants – two in Juru and one in Sungai Petani covering a total of 370,000sq ft.
It has gone through many changes and has established itself in die casting, machining, stamping and sheet metal fabrication.
So, it was little wonder that when they celebrated their 20th anniversary dinner at St Giles Wembley tonight, the rank and file let their hair down.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was the guest of honour, commended the EKO family for commemorating the meaningful milestone that they had reached.
“You started from a humble beginning. And I am sure you all have worked very hard over the past 20 years to be where you are today. May you continue to grow and become an important player in this sector,” Chow said in his speech.
“The growth speaks volumes of how determination, far-sightedness, vision as well as the combined efforts of everyone towards a common purpose can see the fruition of an establishment into something bigger and with more clout in the industry.
“I am here tonight representing the state government and to give support to your company because without the contributions of the private sector in Penang, the state will not be able to do that well over the past many years.
‘I do not only attend functions of multinational corporations. I make it a point to be with SMEs and local large companies.
“They do appreciate the support of the state government and they continue to contribute to the social economic development of Penang.”
Chow also shared the good news that Penang managed to break its own investment record with an outstanding RM13.3 billion of total approved manufacturing investment for the period from January to September last year.
While he said that Penang in some ways benefited from the US-China trade war in the manufacturing sector, the state has also encouraged diversification into areas such as medical devices and services sector.
Chow said with the right ingredients and right eco-system in Penang, the state would continue to grow.
“I look forward to the participation of multinational corporations in Penang and the large local companies that grew from small medium enterprises that can match MNCs. Of course, we cannot neglect the contributions of SMEs.
“I hope that EKO Group of Companies will continue to grow and that would make me the happiest Chief Minister.”
His speech drew great applause from the attendees.
EKO chief executive officer Boey Tze Nin took the opportunity to thank valuable customers, local and abroad, for choosing them as their service providers and giving EKO a chance to grow.
“To all the EKO employees, thank you for being an inspiration. You are a great asset to EKO and this successful outcome is the result of all your hard work and dedication,” Boey said in his speech.
Entertainment in the form of songs, dances and modelling contest made the event all the merrier.
Also present were EKO board of directors Thomas Emmette Stanley, Takeshi Sasaki, Hideki Tomiyasu and organising chairman Andrew Arulnathan, who is also the group quality assurance manager.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alvie Cheng
Video by Chan Kok Kuan