Themed: 90 years and beyond. A promise to deliver yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Miri, Sarawak, 3 October 2019 – Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd celebrated the 90th anniversary of Tractors Malaysia - the Caterpillar dealer in Malaysia and a leading brand for marketing of premium heavy equipment in Malaysia.
In 1929, Sime Darby, through the Sarawak Trading Company, was appointed the Caterpillar dealer for Sarawak, Malaysia. At the time, the company, which was later renamed Tractors Malaysia, brought in equipment mainly to provide support and service to oil exploration activities in Miri.
In conjunction with Tractors Malaysia’s 90th anniversary celebrations, a slew of activities were held in Miri today including a ‘Back to School’ programme, in collaboration with Sime Darby’s philanthropic arm, Yayasan Sime Darby. More than 700 primary school pupils from four schools in Miri received school bags, uniforms, shoes and supplies worth more than RM70,000.
Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd also handed over a RM50,000 donation to the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society. The funds were raised through the rental of a pink Caterpillar 320GC excavator to customers in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, through a joint effort with Caterpillar, a 50KVA Caterpillar generator worth more than RM50,000 was donated to Sekolah Kebangsaan Sg. Laong in Bakong, located about three hours from Miri. The school with its 60 pupils is solely dependent on generator sets for its electricity supply.
A gala dinner was also held to commemorate the anniversary with customers, current and old employees, and other stakeholders. Among those present were former Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan, Sime Darby Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, Caterpillar Vice President for Asia Pacific Distribution Raymond Chan and Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd Managing Director Teoh Cy Kuan.
Teoh thanked those present, particularly customers and employees who have been loyal to the company throughout the years.
“All of you have been with us, and we are proud to have you as our partners in nation building and in delivering a sustainable future; from yesterday, to today and for tomorrow. You are here today, because each and every one of you have had a role in the growth and prosperity of Tractors Malaysia. Not many companies can attest to having survived world wars, economic and financial downturns.
“In all these years, we have seen it all – success and failures, highs and lows, celebrations and crisis, everything. Thank you for your faith and commitment to us,” he added.
"Caterpillar’s global dealer network is one of the company’s biggest competitive advantages. Being on the ground, forming strong relationships with customers and offering leading engineering solutions have all ensured that Caterpillar and its dealers can continue to serve customers wherever they are. We are proud of and thankful for the long and enduring partnership with Tractors Malaysia.
“Together, we deliver superior products and services to our customers in Malaysia and Brunei. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for your trust in Tractors Malaysia and in Caterpillar. When you purchase a piece of Cat equipment, you get not only best-in-class products but also best-in-class support from a capable and reliable Cat dealer backed by Caterpillar. We look forward to many more years of serving our customers in Malaysia to help build a better Malaysia, and a better world,” said Raymond Chan, Caterpillar Vice President for Asia Pacific Distribution.
Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan in his speech congratulated Sime Darby Industrial and Caterpillar for the long-standing partnership over the years.
“Sime Darby Industrial has been a reliable partner in nation building and Sarawak’s development over the past 90 years, providing employment and livelihood to Sarawakians in key cities and also in the interiors of the state.
“There are a lot of opportunities for Sime Darby Industrial, specifically Tractors Malaysia through its partnership with Caterpillar to contribute to Sarawak in the years to come,” he added.