Amway launches RM8mil services centre

KUALA LUMPUR: Amway, the global direct-selling company, has invested
RM8 million to set up Amway Business Services Asia Pacific Sdn
Bhd(ABSAP), a regional shared services centre.

Director of
ABSAP, Micheal Duong, said Amway's fourth shared services centre after
Poland, Costa Rica and China, would provide business services to Japan,
South Korea, Australia and South-East Asia markets.

"It involves
RM2.5 million capital investment over the next three years and RM5.5
million lease rental for the 17,000 sq ft lot in Bangsar South which
ABSAP will occupy over the next five years," he told a media briefing
after the launch of ABSAP here today.

Duong said Malaysia was
picked to site the centre due to its excellent infrastructure which was
conducive for investment as well as the availability of qualified
finance and accounting workforce.

In term of sales, Duong said,
Malaysia was among the top ten countries for its business performance
from the total of 80 countries across the world.

"Starting with
just 35 employees focusing on comprehensive finance shares services, it
is estimated that in the next few years this centre aims to have 130
Malaysian finance employees with an estimated salary investment of RM15
million," he said.

He said Amway was also assessing other areas
for share services such as employee and human resources, sales and
customer support and marketing and communication which would be hosted
from Malaysia.

Duong also said the Amway Information Technology
Service's (ATIS) would move into a new integrated and expanded facility
in Cyberjaya next week.

In 2004, Amway set up AITS as the
Global Data Centre and Information Technology (IT) Shared Service Hub
under Malaysia Multimedia Super Corridor Programme to support the
growth of Amway's sales and distributor force around the world by
providing enterprise IT services.

"With over 100 employees currently, AITS is expected to double in head count over the next few years, " he said.

On
outlook, he said, Amway expected to recorded single-digit growth in
sales this year from RM738.5 million last year backed by strong sales,
particularly in its skincare, cosmetics and healthcare products. Bernama