ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO
Information about the Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd., a leading manufacturer of gloves and engineered rubber products. He leads a public listed company with over 7,000 employees with presence in more than 90 countries.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s entrepreneurial journey has been driven and shaped by his experiences as a young boy. Growing up in a fishing village in Pulau Ketam, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim experienced the perils of the sea and the effects of poverty on children and education. A determined young boy with a dream far bigger than himself and his circumstances, he sought to break his family free from their struggles. Bucking the family trend of a disrupted education, he completed his education with outstanding results, graduating with a BSc. in Chemistry from Nanyang University, Singapore in 1975 and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London in 1977.
Following a two-year stint as a R&D chemist with a manufacturer, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim embarked on resolving the problems of the fishing industry. This venture marked his first commercially viable innovation – the prototyping and manufacturing of Malaysia’s very first rubber cutlass bearings for fishing boat propellers – and the founding of KOSSAN in 1979 with a five-man team.
Other Interesting Facts about the Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is well-respected by business partners and the community. The respect he has earned over the years is a product of his personal integrity, business acumen and generosity. Being a man of stature in the local community, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has invested much of his time and expertise to develop local business communities and the young in schools and universities. His leadership in various business chambers and associations have also provided valuable guidance to SMEs and emerging entrepreneurs. He has also brought positive financial impact to underprivileged communities in his personal capacity, through the Lim family foundation and through the company’s CSR arm.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd., a leading manufacturer of gloves and engineered rubber products. He leads a public listed company with over 7,000 employees with presence in more than 90 countries.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s entrepreneurial journey has been driven and shaped by his experiences as a young boy. Growing up in a fishing village in Pulau Ketam, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim experienced the perils of the sea and the effects of poverty on children and education. A determined young boy with a dream far bigger than himself and his circumstances, he sought to break his family free from their struggles. Bucking the family trend of a disrupted education, he completed his education with outstanding results, graduating with a BSc. in Chemistry from Nanyang University, Singapore in 1975 and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London in 1977.
Following a two-year stint as a R&D chemist with a manufacturer, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim embarked on resolving the problems of the fishing industry. This venture marked his first commercially viable innovation – the prototyping and manufacturing of Malaysia’s very first rubber cutlass bearings for fishing boat propellers – and the founding of KOSSAN in 1979 with a five-man team.
Other Interesting Facts about the Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is well-respected by business partners and the community. The respect he has earned over the years is a product of his personal integrity, business acumen and generosity. Being a man of stature in the local community, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has invested much of his time and expertise to develop local business communities and the young in schools and universities. His leadership in various business chambers and associations have also provided valuable guidance to SMEs and emerging entrepreneurs. He has also brought positive financial impact to underprivileged communities in his personal capacity, through the Lim family foundation and through the company’s CSR arm.
“Legacies that are passed down from one generation to another must lead to better tomorrows.”
Company Achievements and Role of the Entrepreneur
Armed with his expertise in highly technical rubber engineering and tenacity to bring solutions to business partners, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim successfully penetrated key industries such as infrastructure, marine, railway, aerospace and automotive. Steady commercial success over the years expanded the range, reputation and market reach of KOSSAN’s engineered rubber products. Today, KOSSAN has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading brands for highly technical engineered rubber products with the business being KOSSAN’s second largest revenue driver.
KOSSAN’s largest revenue driver comes from its gloves business. The foray into rubber gloves manufacturing started during the AIDS epidemic in 1987. Tan Sri Dato’ Lim saw this as an open door that called upon both his expertise as a chemist and his experience in rubber products to provide solutions to solve a global problem, leading KOSSAN to start manufacturing rubber gloves in 1988.
Under Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s leadership, KOSSAN developed and patented various glove innovations. These include the first Low Dermatitis Potential formulation, which was developed by Tan Sri Dato’ Lim himself, and resulted in the production of a hypoallergenic latex glove and an industry first synthetic glove that is free from allergic chemicals. Other notable innovations which are world firsts are the Anti-Fentanyl permeation gloves and Halal-Certified gloves.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is meticulous and drives high standards of operational excellence. This has led to continuous efficiencies on the factory floor through the application of lean methodologies, innovations in automation and robotics, and digitization of data. The consistency, tenacity and business acumen of Tan Sri Dato’ Lim have resulted in 43 years of unbroken profitability with a normalized profit CAGR of just over 10%. In times of unusually high demand, such as that over the past two years, profit CAGR was over 250%.
Vision, Mission, & Future Plans
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is inherently guided by a desire to improve lives at every opportunity. He stresses the importance of the company delivering reliable products that improve lives through providing protection – gloves, seismic bearings for building, speed/ light rail lines and marine fenders. The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the company’s purpose for being, the importance of operating as a responsible manufacturer and the importance of agility as a core talent.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has guided the company to strengthen itself both internally and externally. Internally he emphasizes strengthening in areas of production optimization, R&D and innovation, people and the workplace, and environmental stewardship. Strategic pillars with an external focus include building market reach and strengthening partnerships; both of which are core strengths and will continue to be developed as the company grows. To enable the success of these strategic pillars and the agility of the company, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim stresses the refresh and strengthening of technology and digitization, clarity and simplicity of structures and processes, and talent alignment.
As Tan Sri Dato’ Lim navigates the company through uncertain times, he emphasizes that actions taken today matter for tomorrow. Legacies that are passed down from one generation to another must lead to better tomorrows
Armed with his expertise in highly technical rubber engineering and tenacity to bring solutions to business partners, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim successfully penetrated key industries such as infrastructure, marine, railway, aerospace and automotive. Steady commercial success over the years expanded the range, reputation and market reach of KOSSAN’s engineered rubber products. Today, KOSSAN has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading brands for highly technical engineered rubber products with the business being KOSSAN’s second largest revenue driver.
KOSSAN’s largest revenue driver comes from its gloves business. The foray into rubber gloves manufacturing started during the AIDS epidemic in 1987. Tan Sri Dato’ Lim saw this as an open door that called upon both his expertise as a chemist and his experience in rubber products to provide solutions to solve a global problem, leading KOSSAN to start manufacturing rubber gloves in 1988.
Under Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s leadership, KOSSAN developed and patented various glove innovations. These include the first Low Dermatitis Potential formulation, which was developed by Tan Sri Dato’ Lim himself, and resulted in the production of a hypoallergenic latex glove and an industry first synthetic glove that is free from allergic chemicals. Other notable innovations which are world firsts are the Anti-Fentanyl permeation gloves and Halal-Certified gloves.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is meticulous and drives high standards of operational excellence. This has led to continuous efficiencies on the factory floor through the application of lean methodologies, innovations in automation and robotics, and digitization of data. The consistency, tenacity and business acumen of Tan Sri Dato’ Lim have resulted in 43 years of unbroken profitability with a normalized profit CAGR of just over 10%. In times of unusually high demand, such as that over the past two years, profit CAGR was over 250%.
Vision, Mission, & Future Plans
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is inherently guided by a desire to improve lives at every opportunity. He stresses the importance of the company delivering reliable products that improve lives through providing protection – gloves, seismic bearings for building, speed/ light rail lines and marine fenders. The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the company’s purpose for being, the importance of operating as a responsible manufacturer and the importance of agility as a core talent.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has guided the company to strengthen itself both internally and externally. Internally he emphasizes strengthening in areas of production optimization, R&D and innovation, people and the workplace, and environmental stewardship. Strategic pillars with an external focus include building market reach and strengthening partnerships; both of which are core strengths and will continue to be developed as the company grows. To enable the success of these strategic pillars and the agility of the company, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim stresses the refresh and strengthening of technology and digitization, clarity and simplicity of structures and processes, and talent alignment.
As Tan Sri Dato’ Lim navigates the company through uncertain times, he emphasizes that actions taken today matter for tomorrow. Legacies that are passed down from one generation to another must lead to better tomorrows
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR CATEGORY
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO
Information about the Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd., a leading manufacturer of gloves and engineered rubber products. He leads a public listed company with over 7,000 employees with presence in more than 90 countries.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s entrepreneurial journey has been driven and shaped by his experiences as a young boy. Growing up in a fishing village in Pulau Ketam, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim experienced the perils of the sea and the effects of poverty on children and education. A determined young boy with a dream far bigger than himself and his circumstances, he sought to break his family free from their struggles. Bucking the family trend of a disrupted education, he completed his education with outstanding results, graduating with a BSc. in Chemistry from Nanyang University, Singapore in 1975 and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London in 1977.
Following a two-year stint as a R&D chemist with a manufacturer, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim embarked on resolving the problems of the fishing industry. This venture marked his first commercially viable innovation – the prototyping and manufacturing of Malaysia’s very first rubber cutlass bearings for fishing boat propellers – and the founding of KOSSAN in 1979 with a five-man team.
Other Interesting Facts about the Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is well-respected by business partners and the community. The respect he has earned over the years is a product of his personal integrity, business acumen and generosity. Being a man of stature in the local community, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has invested much of his time and expertise to develop local business communities and the young in schools and universities. His leadership in various business chambers and associations have also provided valuable guidance to SMEs and emerging entrepreneurs. He has also brought positive financial impact to underprivileged communities in his personal capacity, through the Lim family foundation and through the company’s CSR arm.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia is the Founder and Group Managing Director of Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd., a leading manufacturer of gloves and engineered rubber products. He leads a public listed company with over 7,000 employees with presence in more than 90 countries.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s entrepreneurial journey has been driven and shaped by his experiences as a young boy. Growing up in a fishing village in Pulau Ketam, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim experienced the perils of the sea and the effects of poverty on children and education. A determined young boy with a dream far bigger than himself and his circumstances, he sought to break his family free from their struggles. Bucking the family trend of a disrupted education, he completed his education with outstanding results, graduating with a BSc. in Chemistry from Nanyang University, Singapore in 1975 and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London in 1977.
Following a two-year stint as a R&D chemist with a manufacturer, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim embarked on resolving the problems of the fishing industry. This venture marked his first commercially viable innovation – the prototyping and manufacturing of Malaysia’s very first rubber cutlass bearings for fishing boat propellers – and the founding of KOSSAN in 1979 with a five-man team.
Other Interesting Facts about the Entrepreneur
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is well-respected by business partners and the community. The respect he has earned over the years is a product of his personal integrity, business acumen and generosity. Being a man of stature in the local community, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has invested much of his time and expertise to develop local business communities and the young in schools and universities. His leadership in various business chambers and associations have also provided valuable guidance to SMEs and emerging entrepreneurs. He has also brought positive financial impact to underprivileged communities in his personal capacity, through the Lim family foundation and through the company’s CSR arm.
“Legacies that are passed down from one generation to another must lead to better tomorrows.”
Company Achievements and Role of the Entrepreneur
Armed with his expertise in highly technical rubber engineering and tenacity to bring solutions to business partners, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim successfully penetrated key industries such as infrastructure, marine, railway, aerospace and automotive. Steady commercial success over the years expanded the range, reputation and market reach of KOSSAN’s engineered rubber products. Today, KOSSAN has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading brands for highly technical engineered rubber products with the business being KOSSAN’s second largest revenue driver.
KOSSAN’s largest revenue driver comes from its gloves business. The foray into rubber gloves manufacturing started during the AIDS epidemic in 1987. Tan Sri Dato’ Lim saw this as an open door that called upon both his expertise as a chemist and his experience in rubber products to provide solutions to solve a global problem, leading KOSSAN to start manufacturing rubber gloves in 1988.
Under Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s leadership, KOSSAN developed and patented various glove innovations. These include the first Low Dermatitis Potential formulation, which was developed by Tan Sri Dato’ Lim himself, and resulted in the production of a hypoallergenic latex glove and an industry first synthetic glove that is free from allergic chemicals. Other notable innovations which are world firsts are the Anti-Fentanyl permeation gloves and Halal-Certified gloves.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is meticulous and drives high standards of operational excellence. This has led to continuous efficiencies on the factory floor through the application of lean methodologies, innovations in automation and robotics, and digitization of data. The consistency, tenacity and business acumen of Tan Sri Dato’ Lim have resulted in 43 years of unbroken profitability with a normalized profit CAGR of just over 10%. In times of unusually high demand, such as that over the past two years, profit CAGR was over 250%.
Vision, Mission, & Future Plans
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is inherently guided by a desire to improve lives at every opportunity. He stresses the importance of the company delivering reliable products that improve lives through providing protection – gloves, seismic bearings for building, speed/ light rail lines and marine fenders. The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the company’s purpose for being, the importance of operating as a responsible manufacturer and the importance of agility as a core talent.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has guided the company to strengthen itself both internally and externally. Internally he emphasizes strengthening in areas of production optimization, R&D and innovation, people and the workplace, and environmental stewardship. Strategic pillars with an external focus include building market reach and strengthening partnerships; both of which are core strengths and will continue to be developed as the company grows. To enable the success of these strategic pillars and the agility of the company, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim stresses the refresh and strengthening of technology and digitization, clarity and simplicity of structures and processes, and talent alignment.
As Tan Sri Dato’ Lim navigates the company through uncertain times, he emphasizes that actions taken today matter for tomorrow. Legacies that are passed down from one generation to another must lead to better tomorrows
Armed with his expertise in highly technical rubber engineering and tenacity to bring solutions to business partners, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim successfully penetrated key industries such as infrastructure, marine, railway, aerospace and automotive. Steady commercial success over the years expanded the range, reputation and market reach of KOSSAN’s engineered rubber products. Today, KOSSAN has positioned itself as one of the world’s leading brands for highly technical engineered rubber products with the business being KOSSAN’s second largest revenue driver.
KOSSAN’s largest revenue driver comes from its gloves business. The foray into rubber gloves manufacturing started during the AIDS epidemic in 1987. Tan Sri Dato’ Lim saw this as an open door that called upon both his expertise as a chemist and his experience in rubber products to provide solutions to solve a global problem, leading KOSSAN to start manufacturing rubber gloves in 1988.
Under Tan Sri Dato’ Lim’s leadership, KOSSAN developed and patented various glove innovations. These include the first Low Dermatitis Potential formulation, which was developed by Tan Sri Dato’ Lim himself, and resulted in the production of a hypoallergenic latex glove and an industry first synthetic glove that is free from allergic chemicals. Other notable innovations which are world firsts are the Anti-Fentanyl permeation gloves and Halal-Certified gloves.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is meticulous and drives high standards of operational excellence. This has led to continuous efficiencies on the factory floor through the application of lean methodologies, innovations in automation and robotics, and digitization of data. The consistency, tenacity and business acumen of Tan Sri Dato’ Lim have resulted in 43 years of unbroken profitability with a normalized profit CAGR of just over 10%. In times of unusually high demand, such as that over the past two years, profit CAGR was over 250%.
Vision, Mission, & Future Plans
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim is inherently guided by a desire to improve lives at every opportunity. He stresses the importance of the company delivering reliable products that improve lives through providing protection – gloves, seismic bearings for building, speed/ light rail lines and marine fenders. The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the company’s purpose for being, the importance of operating as a responsible manufacturer and the importance of agility as a core talent.
Tan Sri Dato’ Lim has guided the company to strengthen itself both internally and externally. Internally he emphasizes strengthening in areas of production optimization, R&D and innovation, people and the workplace, and environmental stewardship. Strategic pillars with an external focus include building market reach and strengthening partnerships; both of which are core strengths and will continue to be developed as the company grows. To enable the success of these strategic pillars and the agility of the company, Tan Sri Dato’ Lim stresses the refresh and strengthening of technology and digitization, clarity and simplicity of structures and processes, and talent alignment.
As Tan Sri Dato’ Lim navigates the company through uncertain times, he emphasizes that actions taken today matter for tomorrow. Legacies that are passed down from one generation to another must lead to better tomorrows