George Kent sets up company for Vietnam expansion

PETALING JAYA: George Kent (M) Bhd has set up a new subsidiary named George Kent (Vietnam) Co Ltd (GK Vietnam), with the aim of expanding its presence and operations in Vietnam.

In a statement, George Kent said its wholly-owned subsidiary George Kent International Pte Ltd (GKI) has invested up to RM2.46mil for the 70% share of contributed capital in the establishment of GK Vietnam.

The remaining 30% is contributed by Pham Nguyen Hoang, a Vietnamese entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the metering distribution business.

George Kent said this partnership underscores its commitment to fostering local partnerships for mutual growth, while advancing water infrastructure and smart metering solutions on a global scale.

The primary focus of GK Vietnam will be the assembly of George Kent’s brand of water metres and its proprietary automated metre reading system, ‘SisBa’, which has gained significant traction among water authorities in Vietnam.

“The subsidiary’s operations will align seamlessly with George Kent’s longstanding commitment to international standards,” the group noted.

George Kent chairman Tan Sri Tan Kay Hock said GK Vietnam is poised to contribute significantly to Vietnam’s water infrastructure development while promoting sustainable solutions.

“The assembly of George Kent water metres, including our proprietary smart metering solutions in Vietnam, will enhance the availability and accessibility of our products to the local market,” he noted.

He said the group’s decision to establish an assembly plant in Vietnam is a move to not only meet the growing demand for water metres in the region, but also to deepen the company’s roots in the Vietnamese market.

“This forward-looking initiative reflects George Kent’s confidence in Vietnam’s potential as a hub for innovation and growth in the water infrastructure sector,” he added.

Tan said the new facility in Vietnam will boast an annual assembly capacity of 600,000 metres, meeting the growing demand for water metres both in Vietnam and potentially in neighbouring regions.

The assembly of metres, along with the implementation of ‘SisBa’ smart metering solutions, is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2024, signalling the commencement of operations for the financial year 2025.

GK Vietnam will be headquartered at Thoi Hoa Industrial Park, Thoi Hoa Ward, Ben Cat Town, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.

George Kent said that its global presence, spanning across 42 countries, serves as a testament to its commitment to addressing worldwide water management challenges.