Robert Kuok is synonymous with wealth and success, and is well-known in Asia and even the world. "Low-key", "elegant" and "simple" have always been the unanimous evaluation of this business giant from the outside world. He was born in Johor Bahru and started his business in the sugar industry. He is also a giant in the fields of hotels, shipping, insurance and media. His extraordinary business vision has made him a wealthy business tycoon, and his business philosophy is even more respected. . In 2019, Robert Kuok ranked 104th on the Forbes Global Billionaires list, with a wealth worth US$12.8 billion.

The Kuok family went to Nanyang to start a business

As early as 1909, Kuok Henian’s father Kuok Chin Kin came to Johor Bahru from Fuzhou, China, and worked in his brother’s business specializing in rice, soybeans and sugar. He worked in Dongsheng Company and entered the business world. In just a few years after World War II, Kuok's father's efforts allowed the Kuok family business to grow rapidly and become a famous wealthy family in Johor and even in Malaysia.

Robert Kuok has been extremely smart since he was a child. After the death of his father, Robert Kuok, Robert Kuok was appointed to take over the family business. He was only 25 years old when he took over his father's responsibility. In order to further develop his career, Robert Kuok made a special trip to the UK to conduct market research and learn business knowledge. After returning to China, Robert Kuok focused his career on sugar industry management and founded the first sugar factory in Malaysia.

In 1968, Robert Kuok founded the flagship company Perlis Plantation, which planted a large amount of sugar cane to be used as raw material for sugar refineries. Two years later, before world sugar prices rose, he aggressively purchased sugar in the international market and invested in sugar futures.

At this point, by the 1970s, the Kuok Group controlled about 10% of the 16 million tons of sugar listed on the international market every year. In the Malaysian sugar industry market, Kuok's enterprises account for 80% of the share.

Growing business empire

After gaining a dominant advantage in the sugar market, Robert Kuok diversified his business into flour and shipping. In addition to his leading position in the insurance industry, his other well-known investment is the hotel industry.

In 1971, Robert Kuok invested MYR 100 million to establish the first Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. After that, he established strongholds in capitals and big cities of various countries, gradually becoming a local iconic hotel group.

Under Robert Kuok's careful management, Shangri-La Hotels quickly became a multinational hotel network, mainly distributed in mainland China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka. It is not only regarded as The world's best hotel management group is also the only hotel brand recognized by the world's top Chinese society.

90% of building a business empire is diligence and wisdom

Robert Kuok: "When I was learning Chinese as a child, there was a famous proverb that said, 'Failure is the mother of success.'" This is also a famous saying often quoted by Sun Yat-sen. However, I like to say it the other way around, that is: "Success is the cause of failure. Because success will lead to greater greed and greater ambition, which can lead to the collapse of a group." Therefore, he is cautious in everything. .

Kuok is able to dominate the international market. In addition to his extraordinary vision and courage, his excellent communication skills, his ability to network with political and business elites, and his ability to introduce strategic business partners are also factors for his success. When Kuok Henian was alive, his mother always advised him that he should follow a moral path in doing business and not pursue material things when making money.

A Chinese scholar who has been engaged in the study of Robert Kuok’s business for a long time analyzed in an article that Robert Kuok is a strategizing businessman. He seems not to be good at talking, but this is precisely the key to his success in business. He is decisive and far-sighted when faced with problems. He talks less but does more. He is an entrepreneur with strong execution ability.

For this generation, Robert Kuok is an unsurpassable giant, not only in terms of material wealth, but also in terms of entrepreneurial spirit.