GENERAL

Haier elevates standards for Malaysian households

 |  Wednesday, 28 May 2025 14:15  |  Published in GENERAL

Haier elevates standards for Malaysian households The brand debuts the L+ Washing Machine, an AI-powered washer dryer that ups the ante in  laundry hygiene and care at home 

  1. The premium flagship L+ Washing Machine washes, dries and handles everything from soiled  children’s clothes and delicate fabrics to bulky curtains and duvets with just one touch, at  home 
  2. The launch reinforces Haier Malaysia’s focus on expanding its high-end appliance portfolio,  with plans to introduce 10 new mid-to-high end products in the second half of 2025 as part of  its growth strategy 
  3. The company’s total revenue grew by 20% in the first quarter of 2025 against the same period  in 2024 

Setting its sights on industry leadership, Haier Malaysia today  strengthened its premium home appliance portfolio with the introduction of the Haier L+  Washing Machine, an AI-powered washer dryer with heat pump technology. This flagship  model incorporates laundry AI Smart Wash technology in addition to precisely programmed  washing and drying. 

Haier Malaysia Managing Director Fan Jing said, “At the Haier Southeast Asia Conference in  December 2024, we unveiled our five-year strategic roadmap to solidify Haier Malaysia’s  position, with a mid-term target of attaining 17.4% market share in home appliances. Based  on our performance thus far, we are on track. For the first quarter of 2025, Haier Malaysia’s  total revenue grew by 20% against the same period last year. All our product categories  experienced encouraging growth, including our washing machine category which saw 21%  expansion in the first quarter of 2025.  

To continue powering our growth, we are focussing on high-end products that provide  convenience that meet today’s modern lifestyles. In line with this, we are excited to introduce  the Haier L+ Washing Machine, our top-of-the-range product that is ideal for discerning  consumers who appreciate a smart machine that effortlessly removes stains such as curry,  coffee, ink and blood on all kinds of fabric and attire. 

The Haier L+ Washing Machine leads our premium product launches for 2025. We will be  introducing another 10 new mid-to-high end products for the Malaysian market in the second  half of this year to cater to broader consumer needs. All these products are developed with  ‘More Creation, More Possibilities’ in mind to enhance everyday living through purposeful  innovation and refined craftsmanship. We will continue investing in research and development  to ensure our products keep pace with the evolving lifestyle.” 

Haier L+ Washing Machine – One & Done 

Designed for discerning customers who value quality over quantity, the Haier L+ Washing  Machine raises the bar for smart, sustainable laundry solutions through cutting-edge  innovation with intelligent features to deliver refined washing and drying in under one hour.

Built with AI Smart technology, the machine adapts convenience, enabling users to monitor  and manage laundry cycles remotely while the 607mm Super Drum Plus offers generous  washing space to accommodate larger loads, including curtains and duvets. 

The advanced AI Wash and Dry function takes laundry efficiency to the next level. It  automatically detects the weight of each load, adjusts water and, drying settings to optimise  resource use and minimise fuss for every wash. The machine also has the Smart Dosing  system that dispenses detergent, softener, and bleach in the precise amounts needed,  ensuring the best care for all kinds of fabrics and conditions. 

The machine comes equipped with 20 washing and 17 drying programmes, covering a wide  range of laundry needs. It has a specialised function to remove 26 different types of stains  ranging from fruit juices and soy sauce to ink and lipstick, tackling even the most stubborn of  spots from shirts and puffer jackets to sofa covers. 

In addition to being a washer, the Haier L+ Washing Machine incorporates drying technologies  to eliminate the need for separate machines.  

The Dual Engine Three Inverter System provides precise temperature control and fast drying  to deliver a perfect wash and dry for 12 shirts in just 59 minutes. It can alter its speed based  on how heavy the load is to save energy and prolong its lifespan. An extra-large multi-layer  filtration captures pet hair, dander, and dust, leaving clothes clean, fresh, and skin-friendly. 

In addition to these, it has UV, drying and fabric care sterilisation as well as mite removal for  improved hygiene and confidence. Its Ultra Reverse Technology reduces creases while  promoting even drying, with an independent inverter fan and motor to blow wind clockwise  and anticlockwise. 

Freshly laundered clothes that smell clean add a pleasant scent to the room. The Ultra Fresh  Air function keeps clothes fresh for up to 12 hours after washing and drying by circulating  ducted air through a large fan, ensuring garments stay fresh and minimising stress of forgetting  to take them out of after the wash. 

With their deep understanding of consumer wants, Haier also incorporated the I-Refresh  technology into the L+ Washing Machine, which helps care for items that cannot be washed  or dry-cleaned. I-Refresh utilises warm air and steam to remove unpleasant odours and is  particularly ideal for lightly soiled delicate garments. 

The ease of use is enhanced by the washer dryer’s 10.1” LCD Smart Screen, the largest on  the market to date, that allows users to seamlessly interact with its intuitive and responsive  control interface. When in operation, it is whisper-quiet, thanks to its Direct Motion Motor that  is exceptionally stable, long-lasting and energy efficient for reduced maintenance and  electricity bills. 

The Haier L+ Washing Machine is priced at RM16,599 and is available at all Haier Brand  Shops, authorised dealers and major retailers nationwide.

In conjunction with its launch, Haier Malaysia is running a time-limited promotion for the  L+ Washing Machine: 

  1. From 22 to 25 May 2025, customers who purchase an L+ Washing Machine during the  roadshow period at Pavilion Bukit Jalil will be entitled to a special price of RM12,999  as well as up to RM2,000 Touch n’ Go eWallet credit rebate. 
  2. From 26 May to 31 August 2025, Haier Malaysia is offering customers up to RM1,000  Touch n’ Go eWallet credit rebate at selected outlets. 

Details on why the Haier L+ Washing Machine is One & Done are available in the project book:

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Kossan Holdings Becomes the Strategic Investor in CARE Latex, Malaysia’s Leading Condom Brand

 |  Wednesday, 28 May 2025 13:11  |  Published in GENERAL

Kossan Holdings Becomes the Strategic Investor in CARE Latex, Malaysia’s Leading Condom Brand  

Accelerating Global Expansion of a Homegrown Brand 

CARE Latex Sdn Bhd (“CARE Latex”), Malaysia’s leading  condom brand, has announced a strategic partnership with Kossan Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd  (“Kossan Holdings”), the investment arm of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of gloves and rubber product.. This partnership positions Kossan Holdings as CARE Latex’s third-largest investor,  strengthening the brand’s strategic foundation and supporting its long-term growth ambitions in the global  sexual wellness market. 

CARE Latex’s impressive growth trajectory — highlighted by a 1,399% increase in revenue and a 1,615%  surge in unit sales from 2018 to 2024 — underscores strong consumer trust and positions the brand as  a regional frontrunner and emerging global player. 

This strategic partnership with Kossan Holdings marks a pivotal milestone in CARE Latex’s pre-IPO  journey. It enhances CARE Latex’s ecosystem by accelerating product innovation, improving inventory  management, expanding research and development (“R&D”) capabilities, and broadening market reach  through new distribution channels. 

Beyond market expansion, the collaboration also aligns with CARE Latex’s commitment to public health,  particularly in addressing the urgent issue of HIV prevention among Southeast Asian youth. According to  UNAIDS 2023, one in four new HIV cases in the region involves individuals aged 15 to 24, with 93% linked to unprotected sex. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health’s Global AIDS Monitoring Report 2024 indicates that 32% of new HIV infections occur in this age group, and yet condom usage remains below  40%. 

CARE Latex is building greater operational capacity and expanding access to trusted protection products  by harnessing advanced manufacturing and supply chain strengths — deepening its commitment to  preventing sexually transmitted diseases and promoting sex education. 

“Welcoming Kossan Holdings as a strategic investor enhances our capacity to scale production, drive  innovation, and deliver our mission. Together,  we are building a globally respected Malaysian brand that stands for quality, innovation, and social  responsibility,”  said Bonn Lam Chee Fong, Founder of CARE Latex.

Reflecting on CARE Latex’s origins, Bonn added, “Our journey started with a simple yet powerful insight  — if the world’s leading condom brands source their latex from Malaysia, why not build a world-class 

brand here at home? With Malaysia ranking as the sixth-largest producer of natural latex, we are  leveraging local strengths to accelerate the R&D pipeline, to launch innovations like Malaysia’s first  Microbial Barrier condom, designed with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties for enhanced  protection.” 

Lim Seow Chair, representative of Kossan Holdings, commented: “We are proud to support CARE Latex, a brand that shares our values of integrity, innovation, and sustainable impact. CARE Latex’s focus on sexual wellness, coupled with its inclusive, innovative and science-led approach, aligns  perfectly with our purpose-driven investment philosophy.” 

CARE Latex is the only Malaysian condom brand with a retail presence in both Singapore and South  Korea, distributed through major convenience store chains such as Olive Young, and GS25, which has  over 17,300 outlets. 

Future expansion markets include Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, New Zealand, and the United  States. The company’s growth strategy remains anchored in broadening retail reach, advancing product  innovation, and exploring acquisitions of local brands. Multiple new product lines are in development to  support this continued growth, including clinical and personal lubricants, pregnancy and HIV test kits,  pleasure devices, and wellness supplements.

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TDA Drive to Digitalize Import & Export Documents through Industrial Collaboration Programme

 |  Wednesday, 28 May 2025 11:41  |  Published in GENERAL

TDA Drive to Digitalise Import & Export Documents through Industrial Collaboration Programme


The Technology Depository Agency Bhd (TDA) has upgraded the Malaysian Customs Import Export Document System (MyCIEDS), to an integrated digital system designed to enhance the management of import and export support documents for the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM).

The improvised system will be rolled out nationwide and is expected to play a key role in the digitalisation of customs services and strengthening the efficiency of Malaysia's trade border management.

TDA, an agency under the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, focuses to ensure comprehensive government's Industrial Collaboration Program (ICP) implementation in a more systematic, organised, and centralised manner.

The Import Export Support Document System (SDSIE), branded as MyCIEDS, is a revamped version of the earlier platform, redeveloped with the latest technology by Edaran IT Services Sdn Bhd, under the ICP. The system is built on Document Management System (DMS) technology and integrated with the Customs Information System (SMK).

According to its Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharoul Jambari, the success of this project demonstrates how ICP mechanisms can be strategically leveraged to support national agendas. “ICP not only fulfills procurement obligations but also acts as a catalyst for technology transfer, local expertise development, and long-term value creation for the country. Through this approach, we can ensure a lasting impact on the economy and the local industry ecosystem.

“The system is expected to benefit JKDM's operational zones nationwide and positively impact the smoothness of trade chains and the competitiveness of the national economy,” he said.

MyCIEDS is designed to modernise the digital management of import and export support documents, facilitate the monitoring, storage, and access for relevant documents by JKDM, support the government's agenda through local technology, and enhance customs operations to accelerate goods clearance.

TDA is committed to ensuring that every project under the ICP initiative adds real value to the country through the development of local technology capacity and sustainable economic spillover effects. To date, TDA has successfully implemented 142 ICP programmes under government procurement, strengthening Malaysia's strategic industrial sectors.

This initiative has enhanced Malaysia's global competitiveness, particularly in technology and innovation. The 657 ICP projects implemented under this programme have significantly impacted various economic aspects, including income growth, productivity improvement, value-added creation in products and services, GDP growth, and job market strengthening.

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