Kam Heng Chaw
BEng Mechanical Engineering (1990)
KH Chaw launched his business in Singapore in 1995 before expansion into his home country, Malaysia, in 1999. Now, as Director of Modu System, he employs more than 70 staff worldwide and has a $7M turnover with new international branches in Surrey (UK), Dongguan (China) and Virginia (USA).
Established to provide modular conveyor solutions and factory automation to the manufacturing industry the firm has since diversified and includes other industries as customers, for example, the restaurant industry are now benefitting from automation solutions. Most of the Yo Sushi! restaurants worldwide have been supplied by Modu System with custom-built conveyor belts which weave through their outlets allowing diners to select the dishes that most appeal.
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What made you decide to set up your own business?
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My education gave me the technical knowledge necessary to work in this industry and having gained experience in other companies first, I then took the inevitable plunge and set up this business. |
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What has been your biggest challenge so far?
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Undoubtedly this has been the two economic recessions that have created a genuine financial challenge for the business. The first in 1997-98 was in only our 3rd year of business and was therefore harder than the current situation as our customer base was not so well established. Malaysia is lucky, it seems to be climbing out of recession now, whereas the situation in the UK is still more difficult. |
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What has been your biggest success or triumph so far? |
My biggest success has been making MODU System technically capable of designing, developing and producing a full range of modular conveyor systems. |
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How do you feel your time at Queen's prepared you for this venture? |
I think travelling to Belfast to study at Queen's provided me with the required technical knowledge and also helped me develop an enterprising nature plus a sense of self-sufficiency. |
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What advice would you give someone considering starting a business?
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Get to know your trade or industry well first and don't fall into the trap of overspending. Emergencies can happen which are beyond your control and you need to have the resources to get through them. |
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20/10/2010
