PETALING JAYA: Supermax Corp Bhd
, the fourth-largest listed glove maker, has appointed Tan Chee Keong (C.K. Tan) as its chief executive officer (CEO) and senior executive director.
It also appointed Tan Bow Kok (B.K. Tan) as the new chief operations officer (COO), who will oversee Supermax’s manufacturing operations. The appointments will be effective from Jan 2, 2024.
Supermax, led by Tan Sri Stanley Thai who is reported to have had a falling out with his daughter and wife over the purchase of a RM210mil jet, also announced the addition of four new board members.
The independent non-executive directors – Gan Kim Khoon, Shelley Wong Phait Lee, Yap Lang Ling and Yip Kit Weng – will serve Supermax’s board beginning Jan 2, 2024.
The glove maker said the significant changes to its senior management team was aimed at supporting its expanded distribution and future manufacturing footprint in the US market.
The incoming CEO, C.K. Tan, has over 20 years of experience in the US healthcare glove market and was responsible for the execution of the company’s long-term growth and development.
In addition to his new role, C.K. Tan will remain as the CEO of Supermax Healthcare Inc and Maxter Healthcare Inc in the United States.
Having served Supermax since 2000, C.K. Tan has been involved in the strategic planning and implementation of Supermax’s global marketing initiatives in Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Britain and and the United States.
He is also involved in the recent establishment of Supermax’s first manufacturing facility in Brazoria County, Texas, with construction set to be substantially completed before the end of this year.
The next stage will involve the installation of various manufacturing equipment including artificial intelligence, automation and robotics facilities where a technical team from Supermax Malaysia will be deployed to the US facility in various stages for commissioning.
“In his new role, C.K. Tan will spearhead the company’s strategic plans and global business growth as the company reorganises internally to ensure greater efficiencies are met for its next phase of manufacturing activities, including operations in the US,” it said.
B.K. Tan, who was appointed as the new COO, has served Supermax since 1999. Moving forward, he will be assisted by a new deputy COO.
Supermax also noted that a new chief quality assurance and regulatory affairs officer will be appointed to ensure that quality assurance and global manufacturing operations are synergised.
In a statement, Supermax founder and executive chairman Thai said that both C.K. Tan and B.K. Tan are well-versed in strategic management of Supermax in the globally competitive industry.
“The key management team comprises individuals with longstanding commitment, having made significant contributions to the group’s success, and possessing a strong core understanding and foundation of its international business and operations,” he said.
On the four new directors, Supermax said they were appointed after a “meticulous selection process”.
They are chartered accountant Gan Kim Khoon, corporate finance expert Shelley Wong Phait Lee, human resources expert Dr Yap Lang Ling and former investment banker Yip Kit Weng.
