Khoo

A Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds, composites and resins, which are used in a variety of markets. Its principal product lines consist of proprietary and custom-formulated engineered plastic compounds, engineered composites, colour concentrates and additives that improve the appearance, performance or ability to process plastics in a number of specialised applications. With five Innovation & Collaboration Centres around the world, the company is devoted to new product development and addressing its customers’ most challenging needs.

The company’s customers span a wide range of markets such as packaging, mobility, building and construction, electronics and electrical, agriculture, personal care and hygiene, sports, leisure and home, custom services and others. Providing superior service and products is A Schulman’s focus for the injection, extrusion, blown-film extrusion, rotational and blow moulding industries, as well as a new emphasis on the thermoforming industry. Its deep industry knowledge and expertise enables its customers to develop some of the most widely used products on earth.

Khoo Kay Khoon has been the Managing Director of A Schulman Plastics since October 2016. A seasoned senior executive with P&L management experience, he is noted for his success in driving top line and bottom line growth, strategic business planning and business transformation. Khoo has an exemplary track record of breakthrough results in domestic and international leadership roles with over 20 years of increasing responsibility in commercial, manufacturing and end-to-end supply chain management from business development, key accounts management, customer service to purchasing, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics.
He has worked across steel, paper and plastic FMCG packaging, plastic FMCG closures, electronics, food, beverage, printing, and chemical-based industries, and has extensive functional experience in areas of Lean Manufacturing, and Operational & Commercial Excellence principles. He is also well versed in GMP, FDA, ISO9001, 14001, 18001 system compliance.

Recognised as an inspiring, collaborative leader who develops a clear strategic vision that energises multi-cultural and high performing teams to achieve consistently excellent operating results, Khoo shines at engaging cultural diversity, having successfully operated in American, European and Asian-based public and private enterprises.

The 46-year-old has managed up to USD350 Million P&L with over 500 total headcount, and has formed an extensive network of talent, supplier base, customer base and market intelligence, most specifically in the printing, FMCG steel, paper and plastic packaging, food manufacturing, beverage bottling and filling and closure industries.
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Born in Penang, Malaysia, the Managing Director has turned around the fortunes of the company, starting with a successful financial performance in 2016. He has gone on to continue the growth with an introduction of a new manufacturing line for a custom production and solution for a market-leading company. “The business went through very challenging times in the last several years with decline due to local and global economic forces. However, we have turned around the business and have continued growth. I am excited to now continuously look to inject new investments and talents to the team to support our positive outlook in 2018,” says Khoo.

Khoo believes that the two most difficult challenges in the business are related to the mindset and behaviour of its people. Instilling a culture of continuous improvement towards operational and commercial excellence at all levels in the company is something he is admirably trained for. “For the prior several years, there was some loss of confidence and direction in this business due to the softening of the market and the decline in business. The three-step process I adopted to turnaround the business was to establish and communicate a clear direction and strategy, thus bringing everyone on board and aligning them. Following that was realignment to a leaner and more simplified organisational structure towards the new business direction. Finally, relentless discipline, regular communication and the expectation of excellence in execution of the plan was what carried it through,” shares Khoo.

“On a personal level, it wasn’t too much about how it built my leadership character, but it is more about imparting my experience to lead, mentor and develop a generation of future leaders,” he says.

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