Global brands do the country proud - Focus | The Star Online

Global brands do the country proud - Focus | The Star Online

Another Malaysian company which has created a name for
itself is retail and leather goods manufacturer Bonia Corp Bhd.

In recent years, Bonia, which was established in Malaysia and Singapore, has been ramping up the
pace of its overseas expansion. The company is targeting China, Thailand
and the Philippines
as its new market.

The group is also in the midst of establishing more
new stores in Indonesia,
a market it ventured into four years ago.

Last year, the group opened 20 stores including 13 in Malaysia, two each in Singapore
and Vietnam, and three in Indonesia.

Bonia is present in 16 countries including Taiwan, Brunei,
Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Vietnam
and Indonesia.

Its products are in more than 1,000 stores and 164
boutiques located in shopping centres.

Bonia also co-owns the Braun Buffel label.

It acquired a 70% stake in Jeco Group, which holds the
trademark for Braun Buffel in Asia-Pacific.

Aside from its flagship label Bonia, the group has two
other major in-house brands – Sembonia and Carlo Rino.

Bonia also distributes clothing and footwear for other
international brands, such as Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, Austin
Reed, Jeep, Pierre Cardin, Valentino Rudy, Renoma, Bruno Magli and Enrico
Coveri.

Although there have been many hiccups along the way, the
astonishing growth of Malaysia
from a primary resource producer to a manufacturer and service provider cannot
be denied.

The next target for Malaysia remains its long-standing
goal to achieve a fully developed industrialised economy.