Adsense Top

Monday, June 26, 2006

Himalaya, one of top ten companies in pharmaceutical industry in India

SEVENTY-five years ago, the founder of the The Himalaya Drug Company, M. Manal, chanced upon a plant with anti-hypertensive properties and produced a drug from it. Since then, the company has been busy combining the best of modern science and age-old Ayurvedic wisdom to create a wide spectrum of health products.

The result is a highly-regarded range of products that is sold in 60 countries across the world.
Incidentally, Ayurveda means “the science of life’’ and it is an ancient, holistic system of medication practised in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. At Himalaya, these age-old secrets are studied, evaluated and validated by a team of more than 40 doctors and scientists who work at a research centre in Bangalore, India. Research on one herb can take up to 12 years before it is marketed.



To ensure the purity of the herbs it uses, Himalaya controls the agricultural process and has a dedicated database of herb suppliers, a nursery and an agrotech division which supplies the “raw materials’’.





Because Ayurveda is a fully developed system of medicine that includes branches of study like anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well as specialties like paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and surgery, Himalaya has been able to develop an extensive range of products which includes supplements for men, women and children; a personal care range which includes skincare, body-care and hair care products as well as a range of pure herbs for general well-being, will be distributed via all major pharmacies nationwide as well as its stand-alone store in Kuala Lumpur's Mid Valley Megamall.

The store is operated by Embun Elit Sdn Bhd, Himalaya Herbal Healthcare's sole distributor for Malaysia.

A new baby care range will soon be available in Malaysia.

Among the big sellers in the pharmaceutical range are a herbal antibiotic and a cough syrup. Its most sought after product for the liver has been a top-seller since it was introduced in 1955.

The pure herb range includes over 20 products for general well-being, and these include Brahmi which is said to improve alertness, Karela to regulate metabolism, Yasthi-Madhu for gastric comfort, Neem which alleviates skin problems and Lasuna for cholesterol protection.

The skin and body care range includes face creams, shampoos, hair oil, face packs and unbleached toothpaste. The Himalaya Revitalizing Night Cream won an award for Best Night Cream in the Woman’s Health and Fitness magazine awards in the United States last year.

These products are sold in bright and breezy stores both in Malaysia and elsewhere, and the concept the brand projects through its outlets is “a one-stop shop for the whole family’’.

Prices range between RM5 and RM20 for body-care products and RM25 and RM45 for supplements.

In 2004, Himalaya Herbal Healthcare, the biggest herbal healthcare company in India, picks Malaysia as its regional hub

Himalaya Herbal Healthcare, one of the top 10 companies in the pharmaceutical industry in India in terms of unit sales

Sue Ong, the CEO of the company that sells Himalaya Herbal Healthcare in Malaysia was head of the Clinique brand of skincare and cosmetics for 22 years before she retired last August, Clinique comes under the vast umbrella of the US Estee Lauder Group.

Her foray into this venture began with a fateful phone call from a good friend from India back in 2004: “My friend, Moideenkutty, has an estate which supplies herbs to Himalaya. He heard that they were looking for a new distributor in Malaysia, so he called me.”

Himalaya has, in fact, been available in Malaysia since the early 1990s, but the two previous distributors were both doctors and sold it on prescription and not as a consumer brand. The company was growing very fast and was looking to have the products made available directly to the end-user, thus the need for a new distributor.

“Kutty said that they wanted to make a decision quickly, so my husband and I jumped on a plane to India,’’ Ong recalls.

The rest, as they say, is history: Ong, her businessman husband, Joseph Foong, and a pharmacist friend met with Himalaya’s CEO Ravi Prasad in Bangalore and were briefed on the products and given a tour of the research and manufacturing facilities.

“I was a bit apprehensive initially because I’d hadn’t even heard of the brand but we were very impressed with the research and development that went into the products.”

That was her first trip to the subcontinent and despite being unfamiliar with Ayurvedic medicine, she and her team still managed to make a good impression on the Indians.

“I am not a businesswoman but my husband was keen on the brand. Besides, I still had my old job. So we decided that he would start the company and I would help him with my marketing know-how. That was the plan at first,’’ she recalls.

As it turned out, Ong found herself increasing fascinated by the Ayurvedic approach to health which led her to delve into Himalaya's many supplements. Before long, she was so passionate about the brand and its potential that she decided to retire from Clinique and join her husband full-time. More than that, she took over the reins from him.

Looking back, she marvels at how they were able to secure the brand. After all, several big Malaysian corporations had approached Prasad without success.

Ong believes she managed to win him over with her forthrightness and determination.

“I told him that I have nothing to offer except my marketing experience and a lot of pride because I am Chinese! I said if I took it on, I’d make sure it worked.’’

Himalaya opened its first store in MidValley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur in mid-2004 and that same year, she managed to get a selection of its pure herbal remedies, skincare and body-care products onto shelves at selected Guardian pharmacy outlets.

Last year, she opened a new store in 1 Utama shopping centre in Petaling Jaya and another in Tebrau City in Johor Baru early this year. The KLCC outlet opened for business in April.

Apart from the thrill of running her own thriving business, Ong is determined to promote Himalaya because she truly believes in it. Her local business partner, Marcel Gan, puts it most succinctly: “To Sue, it's simple: good things are meant to be shared. She is renowned for her love of sharing good food with people around her and now she’s doing the same with Himalaya.’’

Ong’s own take on this is simple: “I’ve seen so many sick people – friends and relatives. My own sister died of cancer. When she was very sick, I used to buy her a lot of health food, some of which cost a lot of money ? but at that point you don’t care (how much),’’ she says. “No business is a charity, but it shouldn’t take advantage and charge an arm and a leg for health products.’’

And this is exactly why Himalaya’s business philosophy is so close to her heart: “Himalaya advocates living a healthy lifestyle and it is so affordable that everyone can buy. We don’t take advantage of people when they need help.’’

Link: Tradition meet science

Excerpt from The Star






Tag: : :: : :

Monday, June 19, 2006

Mystery death of Malaysia's cosmetic surgery centres operators in China


Elaine Lee, 42, who operated cosmetic surgery centres in China as well as in Malaysia and Indonesia, was said to have plunged from the 22nd floor of a hotel in the Jiangxi Province.

The family of businesswoman Elaine Lee who reportedly committed suicide in China on Monday suspects that there may be foul play and wants the Chinese authorities to investigate the matter further.

She died of multiple head and bodily injuries at a private hospital the next day.

Chinese authorities have classified the case as suicide, but the family feels she could have been pushed off the balcony.

Elaine Lee opened her first Sequins Beauty Centre at Jalan Batu Lanchang (now Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim) with only RM10,000 capital in 1992 in Penang. Her business prospered and a few branches were opened in other states over the next few years.






Lee, born in Nibong Tebal, was a Miss Malaysia contestant in 1983.







She also founded Skinnic Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Centre which has branches in China and Indonesia.





She became popular in China when one of her patients, Ma Lieh, won the All-China Reconstructed Beauty Pageant last year.




Her brother, who declined to be named, said there was no reason for Lee to take her own life as she had so much to live for, especially since her cosmetic surgery business in China was doing very well.

“We cannot accept the suicide motive given to us by the authorities. I hope that they will investigate the incident further instead of just sweeping it under the carpet,” he said.

Several of her family members arrived in Jiangxi, some 800km southwest of Shanghai, yesterday morning to bring her body back.

Architect B. S. Tan, 45, said he was shocked to learn that Lee, who was a close friend, had died in what looked like an apparent suicide. He described her as an outgoing person with many high-profile friends.

LeeÂ’s death in Jiangxi Province, China, was the third tragedy to befall the family since February.

Two older sisters, both in their 50s, died in February and March.

Lee was the ninth in a family of 10 siblings comprising seven sisters and three brothers.

LeeÂ’s close friend B.S. Tan, 45, said it had not been a very good year for the family, and that Lee was quite close to her sisters and was emotionally affected by their deaths.

“I sympathise with her family and hope they will be able to pull through the latest tragedy,” he said.

The founder of the Skinnic Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Centre in Kelawei Road here fell to her death from the 22nd floor of the Empire Hotel in He Ping on last Tuesday but family members suspect there could be foul play.

Her brother, who declined to be named, said when contacted last week that he had yet to claim his sisterÂ’s body despite arriving on last Thursday.

I hope that the Malaysian media will leave me alone and allow me some privacy in my moment of grief.

I will issue a statement when the time is right.


Lee's apparent suicide was witnessed by a 42-year-old man, whom the local Chinese press had described as her boyfriend.

He is an air force hospital doctor in Szechuan.

According to a Jiangxi Province Foreign Affairs Office document in relation to the incident obtained by The Star, a man identified as Chen Xun had witnessed the incident.

Both were allegedly involved in a heated argument as Lee suspected that Chen Xun had been chatting with another woman on his cellphone. She then stormed into another room and locked herself in.

A few minutes later, he received a call on his cellphone from Lee who told him that she was quite unhappy and wanted to commit suicide.

He then told her not to do anything silly. After much persuasion, she let him into the room. What occurred in the room has yet to be determined but when the police arrived, she had fallen to her death.

Another brother of LeeÂ’s said it was very unlikely that his sister would kill herself as she had everything to live for, especially when her cosmetic surgery business was doing so well.
China authority should ensure security and safety of foreigner doing business in China.
Link: Guang Ming Daily : Boy friend:She died in an accident, Authority:She died in suicide

All-China Reconstructed Beauty Pageant winner's Mah Lieh: She unlikely to commit suicide, its unbelievable
Boy friend Chen Xun: Accident report has submitted to Malaysia Embassy. Malaysia Embassy in Peking denied received such report
Body not like fall from 22nd floor
Window can only open 4 to 6 inch, how Lee fall from window?








Tag: : :: ::

Thursday, June 08, 2006

South Korea cosmetic brand in Malaysia

I have wrote about South Korea cosmetic brand previously like LG and Etude. However, we have difficulties buying those brand in Malaysia.

Few days ago, The Star's Clove recommended a few South Korea brand available in Malaysia. I excerpt the following for your information:


The first is lanti, a name coined by its founder, one Mr Moon, literally means ‘I anti’ – a sign of Moon’s opposition towards the high costs of packaging, advertising, celebrity ambassadors and long distribution chains. Instead, Moon envisioned a line of high quality yet reasonably priced cosmetics that were so affordable, they would appeal to the mass market.

Chew Soo Ngee, managing director of HiQfactor, which distributes Ianti in Malaysia, says: “Being new in the market is our greatest hurdle but given the extensive research and development done on our products, we are definitely on par with other cosmetic brands. Our concept is simple: make Ianti affordable and available so that customers will give it a try. The product itself will convince them.”

Ianti feeds on the growing hunger for trendy and fashionable cosmetics containing nature-based ingredients with its pearl powder-based skincare while Skin Food is fast gaining popularity with its food-based ingredients. And itÂ’s the filtered water in a hand cream produced by Ianti that supposedly restores skinÂ’s moisture and firmness. The water-based cream dissolves into the skin, magically bringing forth droplets of moisture.

Rather than competing and losing to a barrage of brands in a pharmacy or shopping complex, these Korean brands choose to invest in proper shoplots – Ianti in Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur

Chew points out: “In chemist shops or mixed retail shops, customers may not get the proper consultation for their customer and skincare needs. They would have to rely on their own instincts and, to an extent, guess which products are suitable for their needs.” To prevent the guessing game, Ianti has beauty consultants to guide and provide customers with information and advice.

Any lack of faith in Korean products, once measured against their neighbour’s image for superior products, seems to have dissipated. Chew points out: “Look at the number of Korean products available in the market now. It is obvious that the confidence in Korean products is growing. Repeat business is the greatest measure towards consumer confidence.”

Skin Food, another Korean brand, plays by the same rule: affordable and accessible. Its CEO in Malaysia Michael Mehta says: “We don’t mind being labelled as look-alikes of expensive brands as we’re priced within everyone’s budget.”

Although Korean cosmetics come at a fraction of the cost of American or French brands, their quality is far from compromised. Mehta reveals: “Today’s youngsters are so well informed a product that is not good will not stand up to the competition. Where it comes from is irrelevant. An American product could still be made in China.”

Skin Food is fast gaining popularity with its food-based ingredients. Mehta says: “Food is easy to relate to. Oranges conjure images of vitamin C and watermelon makes you think juicy and moisturising. And a lot of these ingredients actually go into the product.”

While Mehta admits that food ingredients aren’t a new phenomenon, Skin Food packages them into more acceptable forms, “so you don’t have to go around chopping up fruits to enjoy their benefits on your face”. The brand targets the 15 to 33-year-olds, a market that can’t afford expensive skincare but want quality products. “Today’s cosmetics sell a lot of fun. Our customers are not into serious hardcore skincare. They’re looking to prevent rather than cure,” says Mehta. As Korean cosmetics offer value-for-money prices, customers can change their looks continuously to keep up with trends without blowing their budget.

Skin Food also choose to invest in proper shoplots in 1-Utama and Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya.

The sales personnel at Skin Food are just as helpful yet trained to keep their distance from customers who don't want assistance.

Without any celebrity spokeperson like Song Hae-Gyo (宋慧乔) of Etude. It is yet to be see whether penetrate the above South Korea brand able to penetrade Malaysia market?

Another Malaysia brand Elianto also leverage on low cost OEM manufacturing base in South Korea. Elianto claim themselve to be one of the fastest growing Malaysian brand manufacturer in South Korea. I also received email from reader of this blog stated that they like the low cost and their design, they also enquired where they can buy it in East Malaysia.







Tag: : ::





Friday, June 02, 2006

The secret of I look more younger than my age


I always encounter people mistakenly thought that I am still in college. In fact, I am much more older then they thought. I also always encounter ladies friend asking me what is the secret I look more younger than my age?

It start with one night I felt asleep while I am driving back to my home town along North South Highway. I met an accident which I have to spend a huge sum repairing my car. Luckily, nobody was hurt or get injury.

Then, I have a habit of drinking energy drink whenever I go back to my home town. I usually drink two bottle Livita when I have long distance driving.

When I arrived my home town. My younger sister, who care about beauty and skin care very much ask why I look younger than previously when we met. She keep on asking the same question!

Initially, I don't care. However, when I think carefully, I remember that I look younger in the mirror whenever I have drink Livita . My skin look more fresh, more clean and fairer.

Thus, I have a habit of drinking Livita every day at one point of time, even I am not driving. That able to maintain my skin. If I have important function that day. I will drink two bottle of Livita to see immediate effect.

The product sold very well and the manufacturer Taisho Pharmauceutical earn a lot of money. The founder of the company constantly appear on the top ten richest person in Japan.

Recently, another company launch a similar product RedBull. RedBull manufacturer also rise to top ten richest person in Austria and Thailand respectively at one point of time. This is because people like to combine Red Bull with alcohol when clubbing.

However, I don't like RedBull taste. I also do not see the skincare effect after trying short period of time. The different is Livita comprises Vitamin E while Red Bull comprises Vitamin C. Thus, the effect is different.

I have not drink Livita for some time and look more mature now.

In Malaysia, if you buy it in retail shop like 7-11. It's more costly. It is more economic if you buy in bulk from hypermarket and Jusco.

I saw other companies in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia try to penetrate this lucrative market with their own new brand, but they yet to yield any fruitful result.

Tag: : ::

Adsense - Bottom