Tomei founder’s passion for gold rubs off on four children
Malaysia Star, Malaysia
THE Tomei group has experienced slow and steady growth since it started manufacturing jewellery in 1968. And that’s the way founder Datuk Ng Teck Fong likes it.
“We believe in having sustained growth, even if the momentum is a bit slower, as we are very careful in our ventures – we are here for the long term and being a prudent and solid company is very important,†Ng stressed.
Ng’s passion for gold and jewellery has also rubbed off on his children. All four are involved in the business – in the operations, procurement, manufacturing and wholesale divisions of the group.
Ng’s children have been visiting the group’s retail outlets ever since they can remember, thus inculcating an interest in the gold and jewellery business.
Said Ng’s son and Tomei’s managing director Ng Yih Pyng: “We were never forced into the business but joined because we wanted to help build up the company.â€
And build up the company, the Ng family did.
In 1973, Soon Hin Enterprise Sdn Bhd was incorporated to manage the group’s business operations. This soon developed into a retail operation and the group opened its first outlet in Campbell Shopping Complex, Kuala Lumpur.
In 1977, Tomei Gold & Jewellery Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd was incorporated to handle the fast expanding retailing business.
Then, Yi Xing Goldsmith Sdn Bhd and Tomei Gold & Jewellery Manufacturing Sdn Bhd were set up to undertake the design and manufacturing businesses.
In 1997, Gemas Precious Metal Industries Sdn Bhd was incorporated and later formed a joint venture with German-based jeweller Eugen Schofer GmbH & Co to develop and manufacture white gold jewellery.
In 2001, Tomei’s first jewellery concept store, My Diamond, was set up to cater to the younger market segment.
The group further enhanced its retail market share by developing a new brand, T.H. Jewelry, to tap the high-end jewellery market. Its flagship store began operations in 2003 in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya.
Besides My Diamond and T.H. Jewelry, the group’s other retail brand, Tomei, targets the mass market.
