Amway Launches US$2.52 Million Shared Services Centre To Support Asia Pacific Market

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Amway, the global direct-selling company, has invested US$2.52 million (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 US$788,208 (RM2.5 million) capital investment over the next three years and US$1.73 million (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 Friday. 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 US$4.72 million (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 US$232.81 million (RM738.5 million) last year backed by strong sales, particularly in its skincare, cosmetics and healthcare products. -- BERNAMA