Property development has been one of the key drivers in this country,” says Allan Teh, the General Manager of Hap Seng Land. “It’s a complex industry and you’ve got to be careful, but it can be very rewarding.” And if anyone should know, it’s him. Allan has clocked up an impressive 36 years working in the property sector.
In 1979, he graduated from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and Management, eager and ready to enter the field. His first job, after serving the government for 2 years, was as a resident engineer for an office complex development. After 4 years, the project had finished up and he decided to stay on with the company.
Making a mark on the product development sector
Allan continued as a property manager involved in marketing, leasing and management of the completed office complex, before he left to gain professional experience elsewhere. Finally, in 2002, he was enticed to join the Hap Seng portfolio of businesses, when he was appointed as a senior manager of its land division, Hap Seng Land.
At this point, the company was still trying to make its mark on the property development sector in West Malaysia, and Allan’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. “2 years later, in about 2004, I was upgraded to the general manager position to oversee operations in both East and West Malaysia,” he says.
“The varied background that I have had throughout my career has definitely helped me now that I am in a leadership position. I have been involved in all of the different areas of the property industry, and this has given me a broad outlook on how it all works, including recognising what the potential problems are and where the future opportunities lie. So, hopefully, with my experience, Hap Seng Land can stay in touch with the local people and keep ahead of the trends.”
Robust reputation
Hap Seng Land has been in East Malaysia since the 70s, while its history in the western part of the country has been much shorter, with its foray there only dating back to 2004. Wherever it operates, though, it has built a robust reputation among the public for practicality, quality and innovation.
In the East, Hap Seng Land is recognised as a household name; it’s a pioneer in the property development industry. Its activities cover the state of Sabah, offering developments that have modern lifestyle and sustainability characteristics, with a focus on recreational facilities that bring communities together.
Our investment priority is that we always put in that little bit extra.
Meanwhile, its western operations are in the Klang Valley and include several high-profile high-rise buildings, as well as commercial and residential developments. It’s an up-and-coming leader in the region, with sustainability and practicality as its 2 defining features.
As Hap Seng Land’s West Malaysian activities are still in their infancy, Allan says that this is a key focus area for the business at the moment.
“We are expanding our land bank and acquiring and developing more high-quality properties throughout West Malaysia, as well as, of course, in the East,” he says. “We’re fully committed to continuing to build quality properties for the betterment of the lives of the Malaysian people. We will continue to remain as a customer-focused and proactive property development and investment company.”
Committed to quality
Hap Seng Land believes in timely delivery, and is committed to meeting the highest standards in terms of product quality. This is largely done through its provision of superior quality materials that are used in the construction of its property products.
Thus, it is extremely beneficial for the business to partner with the best suppliers it can find in the marketplace. “With our sector, it’s about quality and design,” Allan notes. “Our investment priority is that we always put in that little bit extra. That’s what separates us from the competition.”
While there are always going to be challenges, particularly regarding regulation and policy, issues with the labour force, and taking care of the environment, Allan says that the future looks very bright for Hap Seng Land in both East and West Malaysia.
“We are in the property development and investment sectors, so we are always going to be looking for more land and investment property assets to build our portfolio. We will work to support the public sector and create more opportunities for the local population, while also looking into the area of luxury apartments to further grow our business.”
