Page 7 - Retreading Business N104 2023-1

COUNTRY REPORT - MALAYSIA Regular observers of the Malaysian market will be aware that the pandemic affected the South-East Asian retreading sector parti- cularly heavily, a situation which, at present, has not completely been resolved. For that reason, Eversafe’s current aim continues to be to stabilise and strengthen its position in the local market. “Even during the pandemic, one of our key aims was always to make sure that our customers couldn’t run out of stock,” explai- ned Eu. “During this period, Malaysia effectively closed down, and we were looking for a permit from the government to keep our customers in all countries. So, this what we are doing. Stabili- sing and delivering for our existing customers is key.” Eu Hong Lim: “Whatever country we have product in, our target is to maintain our existing customers. At the same time, wherever there is an opportunity, we will go for it.” Eu Hong Lim (Inset Left) Despite these activities, the pandemic has still affected deliveries to Europe. “Before the pandemic it took three weeks to ship our product from Malaysia to Europe. Now it is four weeks, a month and a half, two months. It is 100% more, and the price is higher too. Everything is double. More recently, we have seen delivery times coming down a bit, as have prices, but it is still not like it was before.” Over the years, Eversafe has developed a position in a number of markets in Europe and is now looking for opportunities in coun- tries such as Spain, Portugal, Germany. “We don’t currently have much business in these countries,” admitted Eu, “but we are tr- ying to get our product to the customer and for them to try it in P.7