History & Background

The Soon family’s grocery trading business began in the 1970s. Establishing Swang Chai Chuan as a sole proprietorship in Kuantan in 1982 created the foundation for its distribution and grocery-sales activities, and for the Group’s later growth.

SCC added a cold room in Kuantan to support the storage of meat and seafood. This investment expanded its handling capabilities beyond groceries and provided infrastructure for the development of temperature-sensitive product categories.

The introduction of company-operated logistics and transportation gave SCC greater control over its distribution activities. Bringing these services into the business helped improve coordination and operational efficiency as its product and customer network grew.

SCC was appointed as a distributor for Fonterra Brands Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., part of an international dairy group. The appointment focused on branded dairy products in Eastern Peninsular Malaysia, strengthening the business’s presence in this category.

Swang Chai Chuan Sdn. Bhd. (SCCSB), the Group’s first operating subsidiary, was incorporated to take over the sole proprietorship’s business. This transition established the corporate operating structure for the next phase of expansion and more formal business management.

SCC expanded into the central region of Peninsular Malaysia. An appointment to distribute Wall’s ice cream covered marketing and sales in the Klang Valley, adding a recognised international brand to its growing distribution business.

The Group established its first company-owned warehouse in Kuala Terengganu. The facility represented a further investment in distribution infrastructure, supporting more efficient service and a stronger operating presence in the region.

SCC acquired its first own brands, extending its business from distribution into brand ownership. CED offered specialty products, while Mega — subsequently renamed Mega Fresh — introduced frozen foods including French fries and chicken nuggets.

A headquarters with an integrated warehouse was established in Kuantan. Bringing these functions together strengthened the Group’s operational capacity and reinforced Kuantan’s role as the base of its distribution business.

SCC extended its reach into Southern Peninsular Malaysia through a company-owned warehouse in Johor Bahru. The investment supported service delivery in the southern region and broadened the Group’s distribution footprint.

Expansion into Northern Peninsular Malaysia was supported by a local distribution appointment for a snack and confectionery manufacturer belonging to a US-based multinational. The portfolio included chocolates, cookies, biscuits, chewing gum and powdered beverages.

SCC diversified further into pet care by acquiring Sayangku and establishing Snowcat as its own brands. These additions broadened the Group’s portfolio and developed its participation in the pet-care market.

The Group established Mega Food to introduce a range of dairy products. It also secured a distribution appointment for a food-spreads business belonging to a Netherlands-based plant-based spread producer, further broadening its product offering.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SCC leased two additional warehouses in Kuantan and Perai to support increased demand for food and beverages. A new distribution appointment with a Japanese multinational household-insecticide manufacturer also extended the portfolio into another consumer-products category.

Annual revenue increased from RM564.6 million to RM668.7 million, while profit for the year reached RM23.6 million. SCC’s published history identifies this as the start of a period of accelerated growth despite a challenging global economic environment.

SCC listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong on 19 August 2022, opening a new chapter as a listed group. New distribution rights and expansion into additional market segments in Peninsular Malaysia supported revenue of RM835.9 million and profit of RM26.8 million for the year.

For the financial year ended 31 December 2023, revenue reached RM931.9 million, compared with RM835.9 million in 2022. Profit after tax was RM27.1 million, up from RM26.8 million. SCC attributes this progress to the development of third-party brand partnerships and continued business growth.