Rotiboy seeks to tap China's halal market

GEORGE TOWN: Rotiboy Bakeshoppe Sdn Bhd, which is in the midst of a rebranding process, is looking to tap the halal market in China.The company is planning to set up a production facility in Ningxia, a halal hub in China.

Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/ROTIBOY/Article/
Published: Jun 14, 2013

Source from (The Malaysian Insider): http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/rotiboy-to-start-production-facility-in-china-this-year/
Published: Jun 14, 2013



Its founder and managing director, Hiro Tan, said the company is now in the process of training the staff who will be sent to China.

"We are venturing into the China market as we want to promote our halal products to the Muslims there.

"Although Muslims are a minority in China, their figures are still higher than the Muslim community in Malaysia.

"We signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government last year to open a factory in Ningxia," Tan said, adding that they hope to set up the plant this year.

Tan was speaking on the sidelines of the day-long SME Business Conference 2013, which was opened yesterday by Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia president Koay Chiew Guan.

Tan also noted that they would not be employing the master franchise business model in China but rather, the unit will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rotiboy Bakeshoppe.

Tan added that Rotiboy Bakeshoppe hopes to expand its presence to the Middle East, such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan, this year under one master franchise.

In its existing market in Saudi Arabia, Tan said it plans to add another five outlets from the current three.

"We are also working to expand to northern Africa, such as Egypt. We are in the midst of looking for partners there to undertake the franchise," Tan said.

When asked on the outlook of the bun industry, Tan said although there are only a few players in the market, there is still stiff competition.

"Rotiboy tries to position itself in terms of product offering, niche services, branding and values," he said.

Tan had earlier shared his success story with those present at the conference, which was being held for the second time and carried the theme "Moving Businesses Forward".