History of George Kent
For over 70 years, George Kent has established itself as a leading M & E company, both within Malaysia and abroad. Throughout its long-standing history, the company has built a solid track record of executing successful water works as well as providing quality product and services to the industry.
George Kent Malaysia Berhad was first established in Penang in 1936 as a service branch of its UK-based parent company, George Kent Limited. In 1951, the company was incorporated as George Kent (Malaya) Limited, and later became known as George Kent (Malaysia) Limited in 1965. By 1974, the company had become a public company listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange as George Kent (Malaysia) Berhad.
Since the early years of work done in the repair and maintenance of water meters, ventury recorders, steam flow indicators and waste-not taps for public stand pipes, George Kent Malaysia Berhad has amassed a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in the water industry. With a name that has become synonymous with water projects, George Kent Malaysia Berhad is highly regarded as an experienced, skilled and professional M&E company in the global arena.
George Kent Malaysia Berhad has gone on to build on its strengths through the years with the establishment of divisions such as the Industrial Equipment Division and Automation Systems Division. By focusing on its core strengths, George Kent Malaysia Berhad has built a strong foundation that allows us to provide the same high level of expertise and meticulous attention to technical details to excel in these divisions.
Corporate History:
| 1936 |
Commenced operations in Penang as a branch office of George Kent Ltd, UK. |
| 1951 |
George Kent (Malaya) Limited was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of George Kent Limited, UK. |
| 1965 |
The name of George Kent (Malaya) Limited was changed to George Kent (Malaysia) Limited and George Kent (Singapore) Pte Limited was incorporated on the 8th of September. |
| 1967 |
The Company was converted to a Public Listed Company on the 11th of July under the name of George Kent (Malaysia) Berhad. |
| 1974 |
George Kent (Malaysia) Berhad was listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. |
| 1981 |
Tan Sri Tan Kay Hock and Puan Sri Tan Swee Bee acquire controlling stake in George Kent (Malaysia) Berhad |
| 1997 |
Relocation of Group’s head office and manufacturing facilities to the new RM42 million George Kent Technology Centre on 17 acres (67870m 2) of prime freehold land in Puchong, Selangor. |
| 1997 |
Secured a 19% investment in a 22-year water concession and commenced an operation and management contract for the concession’s water treatment plant in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. |
| 1998 |
Infrastructure Division completes the 160 MLD Lat Krabang Distribution Pumping Station turnkey contract awarded by the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Bangkok, Thailand. This was the first overseas project undertaken by the Division. Also completed were the upgrading and rehabilitation of Sungei Batu and Sungei Rangkap Water Treatment Plants in Selangor. |
| 1999 |
The completion of three large projects: Infrastructure Division completed the Sungei Kelinchi project and the Sungei Linggi project in Negri Sembilan. This Division was also awarded RM366 million contract for the Rasa Water Treatment Works of the Sungei Selangor Water Supply Scheme Phase 3 in Selangor. |
| 2000 |
The introduction of the new Multijet water meter by George Kent into the Malaysian market. |
| 2001 |
George Kent receives the CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) Malaysia 2002 Builders’ Award - Mechanical & Electrical Works Category for its outstanding works during the implementation of the 250 Mld Rasa Headworks and Bulk Transfer Works Stage 1 of the Sungei Selangor Water Supply Scheme Phase 3 Project. |
| 2002 |
George Kent issues 66,764,000 of 10-year Irredeemable Convertible Unsecured Loan Stock at a nominal value of RM0.50 each totalling RM33,382,000 nominal value. The Company also implements an Employees Share Options Scheme for staff. |
| 2003 |
George Kent secures several landmark projects: The Central Kedah Water Supply Project in Gurun, Kedah, and the upgrading works for a new 50 MLD Filtration Plant in Mount Eriama, Port Moresby, PNG. The Infrastructure Division secures several water projects including the 100 MLD Raw Water Booster Pump Station at Mt. Eriama, Port Moresby, the 100 MLD Water Transfer from Muar River to Talang Dam in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan and the National Sewerage Treatment Plant Project - Package A. |
| 2004 |
Manufacturing Division which operates the largest hot brass stamping and water meter manufacturing plant in South-East Asia is accredited with ISO 9001:2000. |
| 2005 |
Industrial Equipment Dept under its FRP Section obtains a contract from Sekisui Aqua Systems Co. Limited of Japan to supply the tanks for its entire overseas market for 3 years. |
| 2006 |
Manufacturing Division embarks on a programme to seek ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System accreditation by SIRIM QAS. |
| 2007 |
The Infrastructure Division begins its preparation to obtain the ISO 9001:2000 accreditation for its engineering operations.
In April, the Company entered into an agreement with the Binzhou City Government in Shandong Province, China, to acquire, operate and upgrade a water treatment plant and supply and distribute water under a 30-year concession.
George Kent reorganises its corporate structure into four Divisions, viz. Meters, GKM Products, Infrastructure Investments and Contracts. The objective is to bring better focus and emphasis in the operating units to grow their businesses significantly in the next five years. |
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