Category: Traditional Trades

Towering wooden shelves stand within the unpretentious shophouse, seemingly unobstructed yet hinting at mysteries, head upstairs and find the storage place with mezzanine floors. All kinds of hardware accessories are arranged in an orderly manner, according to category, brand, and size. The yellowing labels indicate the passage of time, yet the neat marker pen handwriting remains legible. Both veterans and rookies are able to quickly and accurately locate products that customers need. The inventory is a mix of new and old items, such as old-fashioned paraffin blow torch, drop-forged steel wrenches directly imported from Europe, as well as safety boots and hammers which are in high demand recently.

Tai Kwong Hardware Trading occupies a pre-war double-storey shophouse at the first section of Jalan Petaling, near the intersection with Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Since its establishment in 1945, there has been no elaborate furnishings, only solid wooden shelves expanding upwards due to increasing inventory, and self-built mezzanine floors which made up the third and fourth floors. The five original founders (Soo, Lee, Chong, Kim, and Tan) all passed away, currently the second and third generations are in charge, with long-serving staff of 30-40 years, including loyal employees promoted to directorship.

Hardware trading covers a comprehensive range of materials, from large hardware such as sheet metal and construction materials, to small hardware such as tools and accessories, necessary in day to day life. Due to different target markets, large hardware resort to wholesale distribution while small hardware are sold retail. Tai Kwong is among the very few companies that operate both a retail shop selling small hardware and a warehouse selling large hardware such as bronze foil and lead sheets.

The early days of Tai Kwong’s establishment coincided with post-World War II reconstruction, hardware was in high demand, the founders had to carry heavy bags of cement on their shoulders to make deliveries to construction sites. Putting down firm roots in Petaling Street not only relied on their blood and sweat, but also their active thinking to bring in a wide variety of semi-finished hardware and appliances. Despite being strategically located, the shoplot does not have sufficient space for lorries to load and unload goods, therefore Tai Kwong set up a warehouse at Jalan Sungai Besi, later on relocated to Jalan Chan Sow Lin upon land reclamation for Mass Rapid Transit project.

In recent years, the major clientele has shifted from construction companies on credit terms to foreign labourers on cash terms. Tai Kwong’s long-standing reputation has a competitive edge, as customers feel at ease in making purchases. Due to the sizable variety and complexity of goods stocked, the front desk staff still practice handwritten bills and account ledgers, while utilizing a computer system to keep track of inventory. Certain items are considered out-of-date due to changing industrial standards and became slow-moving, therefore left to gather dust until collectors chance to come on a treasure hunt.

In ever-changing times, the business model must constantly evolve to suit changing consumer needs. It is a common understanding shared by sales and procurement manager Mr Lee Zhan Wei and finance director Mdm Liew Fui Tse. Eventually all in-store transactions will be computerized to reduce human errors. Taking a leaf from various traditional hardware tradings that achieved modernization, Tai Kwong is confident to succeed in doing so.

Hardware stores are essential in daily lives. Tai Kwong Hardware remain standing in Petaling Street for nearly eight decades, undergoing changes and transformation, supplying building materials as well as household necessities. Despite generational differences, business partners and staff share the same vision, working in cooperation towards a better future.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Written in red on a white plaque is the trade name “Bee Sin”, as the blue shutter doors slowly open, Lim Choon Fung hangs various schoolbags and shoes over the shop entrance, then he sets up wooden stands to display school uniforms, stationery and other daily necessities in front of the shop. Hanging at the left side of the shopfront is a pastel painting entitled “Wind blowing in the paddy fields”, sketched by Lim. Besides operating this traditional foreign goods store, he teaches co-curricular art classes.  

The row of century-old double-storey shophouse is located at Jalan Telaga Air in Butterworth, Penang. Near the intersection with Jalan Kampung Gajah, where shipping container trucks frequent, kicking up a dust storm every time they pass by, worsening the shophouses’ dreary appearance. A stone’s throw away from Butterworth Port, Jalan Telaga Air used to be teeming with textile stores, footwear stores, and foreign goods stores, mostly helmed by Chinese merchants. Hit by financial crises in the 80’s to 90’s, several businesses either moved out or closed down, the row of shophouses are slowly taken over by Indians selling traditional flower garlands, Bee Sin became the only remaining Chinese-run shop.

Lim Choon Fung spent over 70 years in this shophouse, from school-age to teenage, adulthood and marriage, till now in his seventies. During his childhood, his father operated a coffee shop near the port, the family stayed upstairs at the nearby shophouse while the shop downstairs was rented to a hairdresser. Upon graduating from high school, Lim shouldered the responsibility as the eldest child of contributing to the household income by setting up a foreign goods business. Bee Sin opened its doors in 1969 during the nationwide emergency, curfews were imposed from 6pm, therefore leaving a mark in Lim’s memory.

At first, due to limited capital, Lim could only afford to purchase on credit, selling an assortment of goods from hair cream, scissors, to clothing and socks. He gradually worked out which are the top-selling products and focused on selling school supplies such as uniforms, shoes and bags. Before the start of each new school year, parents would bring their children to try on uniforms and buy school supplies. As customers swarmed into the small shop, Lim’s siblings would lend a helping hand.

Lim channeled his hard-earned money to fund his younger brother to further studies abroad in Australia. Struggling to make ends meet, Lim resorted to side hustles, utilizing his talents in painting to teach art classes. The headmaster of SJK (C) Kwang Hwa granted him an opportunity to teach co-curricular art classes at the school, so he went by bicycle, bringing his art supplies and materials along. Apart from that, Lim joined numerous art exhibitions and gained fame. He even co-exhibited with renowned local and foreign painters.

Having worked diligently for half a century, Lim is not rich but gets by comfortably. His younger siblings achieved professional success, till now they still help each other out. With the digitalization of businesses, online shopping offers more convenience than retail stores, dealing a severe blow to Lim. Recently a fallen tree damaged the rear of the building, Lim and his wife had to stay with their daughter, after some persuasion he agreed to cease operations and retire. Before the lease term ends, he contributed most school supplies to SJK (C) Kwang Hwa in tribute to the former headmaster, to help underprivileged pupils. Meanwhile the remaining inventory are on clearance sale.

Bee Sin’s lease expires on 31st December 2022, and will close permanently upon stock clearance. Lim Choon Fung has stopped teaching due to vision impairment, and will be undergoing eye treatment at a hospital. After many years of hard work, Lim finally gets to enjoy a peaceful retirement together with his wife.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Michael Lerk
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2023 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

Power supply boards, printed circuit boards, and transistors are puzzles levels to be solved, screwdrivers and soldering irons are handy weapons, while copper wires and various spare parts are regular inventory items. To father-son duo Chiew Soon Foo and Chiew Chin Hong, repairing domestic appliances is an exciting game, to clear levels with all stars is an achievement they intently seek. From large appliances like televisions, speakers, to small appliances like rice cookers, clothes irons would all be taken apart for a thorough inspection, faulty parts are then repaired or replaced, and the appliances would be in good working order after reassembling. 

Heading southwards from Klang on the Federal Route 5, passing by Jenjarom, a giant bridge over the Langat river connects to the streets of Banting. Banting is the principal town of Kuala Langat district, having developed from farmland to an agricultural and industrial hub within the past century, its main street is bustling with traffic. Pertama Electronic Services occupies a double-storey shophouse facing the main street, its predecessor being a grocery store founded by Chiew Soon Foo’s grandfather upon settling in Malaysia, hence the wooden signage bearing “Tuck Heap Huat” above the entrance.

Since his childhood, Chiew Soon Foo stayed on the second floor of the shophouse. After his grandfather passed away, his father took over the reins of the grocery store. Having completed Form Three, Chiew Soon Foo dropped out of school, working at a furniture manufacturer during the day while studying electrical and electronic repairs at night. Upon completion of his diploma, he worked at Klang for six years before returning to Banting to start his own business. In the beginning, Chiew Soon Foo took up a corner of his father’s shopfront, and went performing on-site services around neighbouring villages. He gradually made a name for himself, customers would send their appliances to the shop for repairs, as well as refer him to their friends and family. Since the grocery business was going downhill, after clearing out the inventory, the shop officially became a repair store. 

Shelves and tables inside the shop were handmade by Chiew Soon Foo with his furniture manufacturing skills, whereby at home he is in charge of all maintenance and repairs. All along, Chiew Soon Foo works together with his wife and son, without hiring helpers. His wife, See Pey, who has no prior knowledge, went on to become a steady assistant, from coiling copper wires, soldering, to reassembling appliances. His son, Chiew Chin Hong, who sparked a keen interest since a tender age, joined him in the repair shop after graduating from school. Together they continually explore, practice, and master progressive skills in repairing electrical appliances. 

Electrical technicians make a living using their skills, charging fees which include parts, materials, and labour, yet may not be profitable. The Chiew father and son will negotiate prices with customers, the repair job will only be carried out upon achieving a mutual agreement. From finding the faulty parts to completing repairs or replacements, the entire process usually take two to three days. If the parts are hard to come by, which requires sourcing online, it will take a longer time, even without taking into account that the parts ordered online might not be suitable. Certain antiquated parts have been discontinued and therefore could not be replaced, in such cases Chiew Soon Foo is powerless despite his talent in appliances repairs. 

Back when supplies were scarce, domestic appliances were rare and precious, repairing was more cost-efficient than buying a new one. Nowadays domestic appliances have became daily necessities at affordable prices with a warranty period. In case of faulty or damage, most would opt for making a new purchase rather than sending for repairs. Chiew Soon Foo laments that discarding broken appliances is not environmentally friendly, to repair is a sustainable practice which may extend their lifespan as well as reduce e-waste. If customers no longer want their appliances back, Chiew Soon Foo will retain usable parts and send the remaining to registered collection facilities.

Cathode-ray tube televisions and radios, cassette players, videocassette recorders were rendered obsolete by advancing technology, and cannot be repurchased once discarded. Some may retain them for the sake of nostalgia, even though they have fallen into disuse. Through the magical skills of a repair technician, they might once again be in a usable condition, so why not?

Pertama Electronic Services is Chiew Soon Foo’s pledge to put in patience and effort to achieve the best outcome. The family of three enjoy working together, to them, life is always fun and never boring.

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang / Michael Lerk
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Copywriter : Pua Hui Wen

COPYRIGHTS 2022 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD