A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore

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A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
A NEXT GENERATION
                      Ornamental Fish Company

                   Powered by
            TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION

Qian Hu is a fish farm that thinks and acts like a
technology company, taking the responsibility of
keeping our fish alive through technology and not
relying too much on people. With innovation already
an integral part of the Qian Hu culture, for us not to
think out of the box is like being fish out of water!
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Since early 2000, Qian Hu has undergone                               Innovative ideas are openly discussed and
major transformation in its quest for                                 constructively challenged and early failures
excellence. It has grown from an ornamental                           in the innovation process are accepted as a
distribution business into an integrated                              learning experience. The entire organisation
service provider. Innovation and quality are                          embraces a culture of “creating values from
enshrined by the senior management as                                 mistakes”. To ensure a constant flow of new
the most crucial factors for value creation                           ideas from all levels of employees across
and survival as well as sustainability in this                        the organisation, senior management takes
increasingly competitive industry.                                    a strategic stance by having a high tolerance
                                                                      for errors which encourages employees to
                                                                      try out new ideas and in the process discover
                                                                      new innovations.

The importance of innovation and quality                              There are excellent examples of innovations
is   embraced       with    uncompromising                            in the last three years with numerous
commitment across the organisation.                                   flourishing in the pipeline that have potential
There is a great sense of cohesiveness in                             for creating value for the entire industry               1

working relationships across all levels in                            and can possibly replace the current market

                                                                                                                        w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
the organisation. This cohesive relationship                          standard to become the new standard. This
forms the fabric of the innovation culture in                         will bring about breakthroughs and value,
Qian Hu.                                                              not just for the organisation but also for the
                                                                      industry.

                         Qian Hu’s leadership team is committed to transform Qian Hu
                         from a traditional fish farm into a technology and knowledge-driven
                         enterprise. A strategically integrated Research & Development
                         (R&D) division was set up in 2009 to holistically spearhead research
                         and development. The management had the foresight and agility
                         to respond such that despite the downtrend in the past three
                         years, Qian Hu continued with its investment in improvement
                         and development works, culminating in an upmarket, designer
                         “LUMI’Q” fish tank, advanced Arowana tank, and a patented
                         filtration technology, “Hydra”. On the fish breeding front, new
                         natural-bred Arowana were launched in the local and overseas
                         markets. All these outcomes enhanced Qian Hu‘s market leadership
                         position as an integrated service provider. This vindicates Qian Hu
                         as a progressive organisation with a strong spirit to take on any
                         challenge that comes its way, emerging even stronger to harness
                         the next uptrend.

                                      Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
OUR FOCUS FROM
                                   “Hello,
                               Qian Hu family,        NOW SHOULD BE ON QUALITY
                             we have a problem”        AND INNOVATION. LEVERAGE
                              Kenny Yap, July 2009    ON TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE
                                                             PRODUCTIVITY!

                                                                              Changes taking place that affect competition with a
                                                                              growing global competition, encompassing:

                                                                              • Increasing regional competitors that are adopting
                                                                                modern farm technology and investing more in Research
                                                                                &Development;
                                                                              • Neighbouring countries wanting to export ornamental fish
                                                                                globally with the government backing;
                                                                              • With a more connected world, introduction of new fish or
                                                                                accessories becomes much faster;
                                                                              • Introduction of cheap fish from close neighbouring countries
       2                                                                        affecting the local scene;
                                                                              • Increased emphasis on delivery time and quality by
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                                                                customers

                                      “WE NEED TO
                                      CONTINUE TO
                                     DIFFERENTIATE
                                                                                      We embrace and confront challenges with
                                OURSELVES AND WE                                      speed and aggressiveness in seeking out
                                                                                      improvements in our operations and seizing
                                   NEED TO REMAIN                                     related business opportunities. We recognized
                                                                                      training of our staff as a long-term investment
                                                                                      and will fully support as long as it adds value
                                  RELEVANT TO THE                                     to the staff and ultimately to the operation. We
                                                                                      profess to our staff that the only way to have
                                          MARKET”                                     a better life for all is when new value-adding
                                                                                      ideas and contributions occurred, resulting
                                                                                      in better products and services that sells. An
                                                                                      emerging challenge is getting staff to work
                                                                                      on a global framework and mindset where
                                                                                      opportunities abound, only then can we become
                                                                                      a notable global player.

                                                     Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
LEADERSHIP
     We want to be the world’s most value adding
    and productive Ornamental Fish and Aquarium
      & Pet Accessories provider by our focus on
               Innovation and Quality.

                                                                                             TOP DOWN: LEADERSHIP
                                                                                   • Top down Operational improvement projects
                                                                               • Annual Problem Solving/ Creativity training sessions
                                                                                          • Learning visits to organisation

                                                                                                                                               3

                                                                                                                                        w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
                                                                                                     INNOVATE
                                                                                                      AWARD
1) To become the world’s Number 1 ornamental
   fish exporter.
                                                                            EMBRACE                                        CONSTANTLY
2) To be the most innovative and profitable                                 FAILURES                                      COMMUNICATE
   Dragon Fish breeder.
3) To establish “Ocean Free” brand as one of
   the most recognizable brand of innovative                                                   INNOVATION
   aquarium accessories in Asia.
                                                                                                 CULTURE
4) To develop the widest distribution network
   in Asia for our aquarium and pet accessories
   business.                                                                                                               CONSTANTLY
                                                                         IMAGINATION                                        IMPROVE
5) To achieve and maintain a minimum net
   profit margin of 10%.
6) To be a debt free and high dividend payout                                                          WITS
   company                                                                                           REWARDS

7) To be the most efficient and productive
   ornamental fish company in the region.
8) To build the pet accessories business
   to a level that is equivalent to aquarium                                           BOTTOM UP: STAFF PARTICIPATION
                                                                              • Suggestion scheme, with minimum recognition of $60;
   accessories.                                                                          more where there is cost savings
                                                                                       • Creating Value from Mistakes, CVM
9) To export our aquarium accessories to more                                 • Productivity WITs process, simplified SME framework
   than 65 countries by 2015.

                                           Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
“…….by doing the
                                                         right things, the market will reward
                                                              you more than you think.”
                                                                              Kenny Yap, Executive Chairman and
                                                                               Managing Director, October 2007

       4
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                             Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
PLANNING
         TRANSFORMATION FROM A TRADITIONAL FISH INTO A
         TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE-BASED ENTERPRISE

                                                                                                                 Fuzzy-
                                                                                                              logic Smart
                                                                                                              Technology
                                Arowana                                                                        Fish Tank
                              International                                                 Innovative
                                Scientific                                                  Marketing          Hydra-
                               Publication                          Design &                 strategy        Pure Water
                            (1st Fish Farm in                     DEvelop Fish                               Sterilization
                               the World)                         Tank Products                              Technology
                                                                                          Lumi’Q Smart
                                                                                         Technology (1st     Portable Auto
                               Integrated                                                 in the World)       Fish Count
                             R&D Mission &                       Fish Packing                                 Technology
                                 Culture                        and Automation
                    WITS &                                        Technology             AR-G1 Nutrition      DNA-based
                  Productivity                                                             Technology        Fish Nutrition
                  Processes                                                               (Pellet Feed)       Technology
                    Kick-off
                                                                   Hydra-Pure                                  Portable
 Arowana DNA                 Integrated R&D                          Filtration           Hydra Filtration    All-Season
  Technology                       Dept                          Technology (1st           and Adapter         Breeding
 (1st in World)                   Set up                          in the World)             Products          Technology

                                                                                                                                     5
2005      2006       2007        2008        2009              2010              2011    2012       2013     2014-2020

                                                                                                                              w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                        Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
INFORMATION

                             SHARING             LEARNING                                 INNOVATING

       6
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                                                 OUR 4 VALUES:
                                                                 I: Integrity, E: Entrepreneurship,
                                                                 V: Value Creation, T: Teamwork
                                                                 [forming the 4 DNA base pairs]

                                         Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
PEOPLE

We need to up-skill our ground staff to be creative and consistently
urge them to seek continuous improvement. Reward them when
they achieved higher skill level and recognize their contribution.
Engaged staff constantly through dialogues, keep channels open,
get them involved in project teams, emphasis hygiene factors,
challenge them, value them, help them in job satisfaction, built a
career with us, and you will get back many times in return.

                                                                            WE BRING
                                                                           FUN TO YOU          7

                                                                                        w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                          Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
A NEXT GENERATION Ornamental Fish Company Powered by TECHNOLOGY and INNOVATION - Enterprise Singapore
PROCESS

                                    We need to harvest, manage creative ideas, and implementing
                                    them to create Value for our organisation
                                    Given the difficulty in hiring operational staff, we must continue to
                                    push for productivity increase. We should find ways to
                                    make our processes more efficient. Staff skill set can
                                    also be upgraded with the use of technology.

                                    Maintained and optimised
                               manpower by reducing cleaning of
                              filters per tank basis to a centralized
                              process; use of our patented hydro-
       8                      pure technology to provide optimum
                                healthy water for the fish, thereby
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                       reducing daily losses.

                                                                                              LEVERAGE ON
                                                                                        INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
                                                                                        FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY IN
                                                                                     PACKING PROCESS FOR SHIPMENT,
                                                                                       RESULTING IN ZERO ERROR AS
                                                                                       COMPARED TO PAPER-BASED
                                                                                                SYSTEM.

                                                                     Genetic marker studies of Arowana, and selective breeding
                                                                   resulted in new varieties, meeting market needs for exotic fish.

                                                                                      Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
PROCESS

                                                          BRAIN
                                                        STORMING

     Idea/ Pre-concept                 Conceptualisation                             Feasibility/              Experimental
      of R&D initiatives                of R&D projects                          Preliminary studies              Design

    Application of findings               Discussion                         Documentation and                  Execution of
   to current methodology               and Conclusion                    modification of experiments         Experimentation

       VERIFICATION                                                                                   REVIEW OF
                                                      DOCUMENTATION                                EXPERIMENTATION
       OF BENEFITS

                                                                                                                                          9

                                    RISK ASSESSMENT WILL BE BASED ON:

                                                                                                                                   w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
         Market Needs            Cost-Benefits analysis Our Capability and Resources availability

                                                          PACKING

                                                     WAREHOUSING
                           AROWANA
                           BREEDING

                                                       QUARANTINE
                                                      (Ornamental Fish)
                                                                                                SALES /
CUSTOMERS                  PURCHASE
                                                       PRODUCTION                                                      CUSTOMERS
                                                                                               DELIVERY
                                                        (Accessories,
                                                          Pet Food)

                           MARKETING

          Finance/ Admin.         Human Resource                  P.R. & Design               Research & Development

                              Publication        Maintenance                   Information System

                                             Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
PROCESS

10
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                           Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                                                                         CUSTOMERS

                                      CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX                                                                     REPEAT CUSTOMERS
                          4.3                                                                                      90
                          4.2                                                                                                          84.46
Level 1 to 5 pointers

                                                                                                                   85

                                                                                                    Percentage %
                          4.1                                                                                                                      82.9
                                                                          3.97                                                                                     82.45
                            4                             3.91
                                               3.87                                                                80
                          3.9      3.85
                          3.8
                                                                                                                             75.05
                                                                                                                   75
                          3.7
                          3.6                                                                                      70
                                    2009        2010       2011            2012                                               2009      2010       2011            2012

                                                 INDEX       TARGET                                                                      REPEEAT          TARGET

                                              ON-TIME DELIVERY
                    100.02
                                                                           100
                         100                                                                                                                                               11
Percentage %

                                                          99.98

                                                                                                                                                                           w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
                        99.98                  99.97
                        99.96     99.95                                                                                  LUMI’Q
                                                                                                                        Projected
                        99.94
                                                                                                                        Sales, 2013
                        99.92                                                                                           $295,000
                                    2009        2010       2011            2012

                                                ON-TIME       TARGET

                                  HYDRA
                                PROJECTED
                                SALES, 2013
                                $70,000

                                                                       Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                                                                                          FINANCIAL
                             SPECIFIC DATA FOR SECTOR PERFORMANCE CANNOT BE SHARED DUE TO CONFIDENTIALITY.
                             BUSINESS SECTORS                SALES TURNOVER 2012 VS 2009                             REMARKS
                             ACCESSORIES Improved, 34.7%                                                             Our innovative, patented products had contributed to
                             		                                                                                      improved sales
                             FISH Declined, 11.6%                                                                    Due to Euro crisis, led to the drop in exports; but
                             		                                                                                      process innovation and improvements had resulted in
                             		                                                                                      increased productivity
                             AROWANA Declined, 21.3%                                                                 Due to oversupply, led to price dropped over 50% in
                             		                                                                                      the past 3 years; new Arowana varieties from gene
                             		                                                                                      pool selection breeding had led to higher price, with
                             		                                                                                      much better profit margin from year 2013

                             Likewise, for product financial performance data linked to our innovative product, fish and accessories cannot be shared
                             due to market competition reason and being a public listed company. Relevant data had been shared with assessors on
                             site for verification.

12
                                                                                                 PEOPLE
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                             SUGGESTION IMPLEMENTATION RATE
                             (Implemented over shortlisted ones)                                                        QUALITY OF SUGGESTIONS (SHORTLISTED ONES)

                                          08           09            10           11       12                                           08            09             10            11    12

                             Total        14            8             6            5        4                           %               14.3          11.4           29.0      26.9      50

                             Rate%      87.5%          80%           66.7      71.4       80%                           Target%         25            25             20            25    25

                             Target      70%           70%          70%       70%         70%

                                                                                                                        TRAINING PLACES UTILISATION RATE

                             AVERAGE LEARNING HOURS PER STAFF
                                                                                                                                               09             10              11         12

                                                09            10             11            12                           Actual             90.9%             83.6%          66.32%      60%

                             Manager           4.16          3.68           3.09         2.76                           Target                 100            90              80         80

                             Exec              125           42.35          105.3        69.5
                             Non-Exec          50.6          42.79          45.59        51.6                           LEARNING PLACES FOR INNOVATION RELATED
                             Overall           56.95         39.85          50.71       47.34
                                                                                                                                               09             10              11         12
                             Target             70            60             60            60
                                                                                                                        Innovation              48            64              42         38
                             UK-CIPD           34.16          40.           n.a.          n.a.                          Learning               [50]          [50]            [50]       [50]
                                                                                                                        Learning             297.3           450.5          156.5       463.5
                                                                                                                        hours                [300]           [300]          [300]       [300]
                                                                                                                        Targets in brackets

                                                                                       Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                                                                            PEOPLE

STAFF SATISFACTION MEAN SCORE 2008 TO 2012
                                                                                                        The tasks are challenging,
                       08           09            10          11           12
                                                                                                       good camaraderie, new ideas
                                                                                                          and improvements, ...
Fish                  3.95         3.77         3.78          3.62      4.40                                better not... leave
Accessory             3.40         3.50         3.38          3.39      3.91
Arowana               4.20         3.91         4.03          3.91      4.52
Overall               3.67         3.70         3.60          3.54      4.14
Target                 3.5          3.5          3.8          3.8          4.5

STAFF INNOVATION INDEX                                                                         IN 2012, THE EOS FORMAT WAS REVIEWED AND
(started year 2007)                                                                            QUESTIONS WERE STREAMLINED. MORE STAFF
                                                                                               ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONS ARE INCLUDED.
                        08          09           10            11          12
                                                                                               ALSO, IT IS NOW ON A 6-POINT SCALE. PRIOR
Fish                  4.24         4.01         3.91          3.74      4.51                   YEARS WERE ON A 5-POINT SCALE.                  13

Accessory             3.58         3.65         3.68          3.48      4.03

                                                                                                                                               w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
Arowana               4.28          4.0         4.22          4.09      4.61
Overall               4.01         3.82         3.82          3.65      4.26                   FROM 2012, LIKEWISE BASED ON A SCALE OF
                                                                                               1 TO 6. THE INNOVATION INDEX HAS BEEN
STAFF RESIGNATION RATE
                                                                                               THE TOP 2 HIGHEST SCORING CATEGORIES
(Average monthly)                                                                              IN PAST YEARS, INDICATING VERY
                                                                                               POSITIVELY ON THE COMPANY’S DRIVE FOR
                          09              10           11             12                       INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENTS.
                          %               %             %             %
Manager                 0.46              0            0.46            0
                                                                                                   AVERAGE LENGTH OF SERVICE
Exec                    1.52             0.35          1.54          1.85
Non-Exec                1.40             1.55          1.74          1.74                                           2010       2011    2012
Overall                 1.29             1.27          1.53          1.53                          Fish              6.91      7.25    7.68
Target                      1             1             1              1                           Accessories       6.0       6.10    6.32
Services                 2.2              2.4          2.3            2.3                          Arowana           7.36      7.20    9.48
(MOM*)
UK-CIPD#                 0.7             n.a.          n.a.          n.a.
                                                                                                   Managers         11.94      13.86   14.87
* MOM: Ministry of Manpower, Services sector
                                                                                                   Executives        5.48      5.10    6.57
# UK-CIPD: Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development

                                                                                                   Non-Exec          5.27      5.53    5.73
                                                                                                   Overall           6.21      6.61    7.17
                                                                                                   SNEF median       7.0        n.a.   n.a.

                                                                Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                                                                                                                 PEOPLE

                                                                  STAFF TURNOVER RATE
                                              3

                                                           2.3      2.3              2.4         2.3       2.3
                                             2.5    2.2                    2.2

                                              2
                             Percentage %

                                                           1,54                              1.53        1.53
                                             2.5                           1.29   1.27
                                                    1.01
                                              1

                                             0.5                    0.62
                                              0
                                                    2006   2007     2008   2009      2010        2011       2012

                                                            MOM            QIAN HU                 TARGET

                                            MEDICAL LEAVE, DAYS PER STAFF;
14
                                            target 2.5 days
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                                              09           10               11              12
                                            Fish             2.76          2.06         1.79               1.53
                                            Accessory        3.24          4.11         3.87               3.57
                                            Arowana           2.5          1.79            3.2             3.46
                                            Total            2.99          3.05         2.93               2.70
                                            U.K.-CIPD         6.4          6.4             7.1             n.a.

                                                                                                        Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                                                                     OPERATIONAL

                                          DAILY LOSSES                                                                   AROWANA OFF-SPRINGS PRODUCTION
                7                                                                                                 2500
                                                  6                                                                                                              2113
                6                                                         5.13
                     4.89      4.68                          4.99                                                 2000
                5
Percentage %

                                                                                                                  1500

                                                                                                   Numbers
                4                                4.87                                                                                                    1316
                                                                                                                                 1105       1200
                3              4.44                                                                                      957
                                                                                                                  1000
                                                             3.33
                2
                                                                                                                   500
                1
                     0.84                                                 1.02
                0                                                                                                    0
                     2008          2009          2010         2011        2012                                            2008   2009        2010         2011   2012

                            FISH                 AWORANA             TARGET                                                         TARGET : 1,800 FRY

                                          EXPORT D.O.A.                                                                      FRY SURVIVAL RATE, AROWANA
               3.5                                           3.25                                                 92.2                                           92.05   15
                                                 2.88                    2.78                                       92
                3                                                                                                                                        91.85

                                                                                                                                                                         w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
                     2.5       2.54                                                                               91.8
               2.5                                                                                                       91.62   91.64
                                                                                                                  91.6
                                                                                                   Percentage %
Percentage %

                2                                                                                                 91.4

               1.5                                                                                                91,2
                                                                                                                                            91.07
                                                                                                                    91
                1
                                                                                                                  90.8
               0.5                                                                                                90.6
                0                                                                                                 90.4
                     2008          2009          2010         2011        2012                                            2008   2009        2010         2011   2012

                                          FISH             TARGET                                                                        TARGET : 92%

                                                                     Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                                                                                  OPERATIONAL

                                            NUMBER OF TRADEMARKS BY COUNTRIES,
                                            AS OF 2012

                                            Country        Registered      Pending
                                            Singapore             77              5
                                            China                 47              1
                                            Malaysia              30              3
                                            Taiwan                29              0
                                            Thailand              28              4
                                            Indonesia             22              11
                                            Vietnam               11              0
                                            Philippines           6               0
                                            Brunei                5               0
16
                                            Europe                4               0
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                            Australia             3               0
                                            USA                   3               0                                  COMPARISION              AVERAGE PAST 3 YEARS
                                            India                 2               0                                  ST ENGINEERING           4.8%
                                            New Zealand           2               0                                  TOYOTA R&D               3.96%
                                            [T: 293]          269                 24                                 HITACHI R&D              4.3%

                                                                                       R & D INVESTMENT VS SALES, %
                                            18.00
                                                                          15.71
                                            16.00

                                            14.00

                                            12.00
                             Percentage %

                                            10.00

                                             8.00
                                                           8.70
                                                                                                                6.11
                                             6.00                                                                                                     5.02
                                                                                                                                       4.35
                                             4.00
                                                                                                                                       1.85           1.49
                                             2.00                                                             0.80
                                                                          0.48
                                                           0.13
                                               0
                                                           0.10           0.003                               0.35                     0.54           0.37
                                                           2008            2009                               2010                     2011               2012

                                                                                                                                       FISH   ACCESSORY          AWORANA

                                                                                      Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
RESULTS
                 OPERATIONAL

                                                                    EXCESS
 A CREATIVE
                                                                    WATER
   SPOON
                                                                   DISPOSAL
 DISPENSER
                                                                   STRAINER

  MEDICINE
                                                                    LOBSTER
 DISPENSER
                                                                  QUARANTINE
 CONTAINER

                                                                                17

                                                                                w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
   RECORD
                                                                  NETTING TO
SHEET FIXTURE,
                                                                    PREVENT
   WATER-
                                                                  FISH LOSSES
  PROOFING

                                 SELF-MADE
                                CAN FLIPPER

                 Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
QIAN HU: Q&A

                                                                                                 2.       What were the major changes put in
                                                                                                          place?

                                                                                                          Since 2000, we had a major re-organization
                                                                                                          of manpower internally so as to optimize
                                                                                                          the efficiency of the staff and re-deployed
                                                                                                          many key personnel to relevant post. We
                                                                                                          started our innovation journey as early as
                                                                                                          2002 when we embarked on the Arowana
                                                                                                          DNA genotyping project with Temasek Life
                                                                                                          Sciences Laboratory and during phase 2, we
                                                                                                          got a EDB grant for the continuation of this
                                                                                                          state-of-the-art- technology based project.
18
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                                                                                          Around 2008, we expanded our R&D
                                                                                                          department to a team of 4 persons
                             1.   Why did Qian Hu undergo on a major                                      and rename it, Group Integrated R &D
                                  transformation starting from 2009?                                      department, purpose to emphasize the
                                                                                                          need to integrate the 3 divisions’ need
                                  Qian Hu was listed in 2000 at the Singapore                             and technology together. This is important
                                  Stock Exchange. This formalised the journey                             because of the unique and advantageous
                                  of transformation from a family run business                            organizational structure of Qian Hu. We are
                                  to a corporate organisation. There was a                                probably one of the few companies that
                                  need to transform in order to cater to the                              have fish farming, fish import/export and
                                  changing and competitive ornamental fish                                also aquarium accessories manufacturing
                                  industry but more importantly, is for Qian Hu                           and development. We invested heavily on
                                  to meta-morphosize into a technology and                                innovative filtration systems, contemporary
                                  knowledge-based company.                                                tanks and continued in our DNA research on
                                                                                                          Arowana. The latter had resulted in natural
                                  We sensed the greater competition and the                               inter-breed varieties of vibrant Albino Silver
                                  need to differentiate our products on the                               Arowana (dragon fish) and thereby command
                                  global stage.                                                           a higher price.
                                  The notion of moving towards quality
                                  products, both accessories and fish that are                            We also continued to leverage on technology
                                  innovative is ever so critical. We need to build                        and I.T. to be more productive and efficient
                                  a strong innovation culture to drive next level                         on our operations, example in the use of
                                  of growth. Back then, the Arowana market                                PDA for inventory control and integrated
                                  had also gotten saturated with new breeders                             export packing system. This had led to
                                  coming in to meet the demand which had                                  more accurate inventory, zero error in export
                                  ultimately led to oversupply and subsequent                             processing and equally important upgrading
                                  price drop.                                                             the skill set and competency of our staff.

                                                                        Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
QIAN HU: Q&A
3.   Can you explain briefly how new products                      5.       How has your organisation used the
     like Lumi-Q fish tank, and filtration system                           Business Excellence framework to achieve
     Hydra (as well as any others) came about                               success?
     and what makes them different from
     what is available in the market?                                       The BE framework has helped us to be more
                                                                            resilient and ensured alignment in achieving
     All the products you have mentioned                                    our business objectives.
     came about because of the transformation
     that I have mentioned above. The whole                                 As you might have observed that we had
     organization     top-down,      bottom-up   is                         gone through several economic cycles,
     embracing innovation and research. The                                 each time we came out stronger and more
     process for innovation development was put                             prepared for the future. Our management’s
     in place 4 years ago and all the innovations                           good foresight in turning these necessary
     you see now is based a series of criteria                              plans into reality has given us confidence to
     that was setup , for example, innovation                               advance further into the global markets. We
     technology, market demand and ergonomic                                are moving from a knowledge business into
     design. LUMI-Q is a contemporary designer                              Next-Gen Ornamental Fish Business driven
     tank, with variable LED lighting and iPhone                            by Innovation and Technology.
     docking station. It was designed to fit into a
     living room setting, to add life and dynamism
     to living space.                                              6.       How have your various stakeholders,
                                                                            such as employees, customers, suppliers         19
     The Hydra filtration system is our proprietary                         and partners have benefitted from this

                                                                                                                            w w w. q i a n h u . c o m
     system (our patent) that ensures long term,                            journey?
     optimum water quality for fishes that other
     filtration system cannot deliver. We also                              As a result of our transformation, confidence
     have recently developed and tested special                             level has risen at all levels, from the
     arowana feed, not only providing for more                              stakeholders,      employees,      customers,
     balanced nutritional value to the fish, but                            suppliers and corporate partners.         The
     helped hobbyist to save on live feed cost and                          employees have gained much relevant
     offered convenience.                                                   knowledge and were able to take up more
                                                                            tasks and suppliers and partners have seen
                                                                            the enthusiasm of a young company and
4.   What were the key benefits to the                                      were willing to take more calculated risks in
     company as a result of these changes?                                  terms of Research and Development of novel
                                                                            technologies. Our employees have become
     Having     driven    improvement      through                          more competent and acquired higher value
     technology and innovation, the organisation                            with the introduction of technology and the
     has become even more resilient in preparing                            sale of high value products. Our customers
     us to reap the fruits of our labour in the                             get better value in quality and more
     next upturn. Our new Arowana varieties                                 enjoyment as a hobbyist. Our suppliers and
     command a high price, demand is there and                              partners also moved with us up the value
     our good value and quality products will bring                         chain.
     us to the next level of growth. One of the
     milestones that we have achieved is that we
     inculcated the innovation culture in Qian Hu
     and that is important because it will keep us
     abreast of our competitors and at the same
     time, allow us to expand our horizon into
     many other new customers and possibly into
     other related industry.

                                        Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
QIAN HU: Q&A
                             7.   What were some of the challenges along                      9.         How important is creating sustainable
                                  the way and how were they overcome?                                  growth to your company and how do you
                                                                                                       ensure that you can achieve this?
                                  As an SME, we do have limited resources,
                                  but this had made us more focus, determined                          It is very important to create a sustainable
                                  and more relevant. We do take in and retain                          growth in our company as we believe in the
                                  good staff that supports our vision and                              Chinese proverb “不进则退”. You will need
                                  mission. Over the years we develop them                              to achieve not just growth, but sustainable
                                  to know our business well and we worked                              growth, in order to maintain and increase
                                  together to resolve brickbats that were                              the Qian Hu business. We are building a
                                  thrown to us along the way. Teamwork is                              committed group of employees and challenge
                                  one of our core values. We managed our cost                          them and value them, thereby becoming
                                  well and by being prudent but necessary. We                          more competent, the whole organization
                                  learned from our mistakes and build on it.                           will benefit. Plan for succession, lay out
                                  Which company will share with you, if not                            opportunities for advancement, encourage
                                  the whole world, a mistake every month in                            change. Stay customer centric, and you will
                                  2012? We did in our 2012 annual calendar.                            grow.

                             8. Can you give a specific example of how                        10. What are other major innovations or plans
                                “creating value from mistakes” has                                for growth are in the works?
20                              worked?
                                                                                                       We already have a 5-year product and
w w w. q i a n h u . c o m

                                  “Creating Value from Mistakes” or CVM                                process innovation plan in place and we will
                                  was an initiative introduced to support the                          put in necessary resources to work the plan
                                  innovation culture. We want to build an                              to keep ourselves relevant to the market.
                                  environment that is tolerant of mistakes (of                         Nothing is perfect. We will tweak the plan
                                  course, honest mistakes) which is linked to                          along the way given the dynamic global
                                  experimentation and risk taking. The most                            environment.
                                  important aspect is from the mistake, what
                                  steps can be taken to prevent re-occurrence.                         We have more innovative aquarium products
                                                                                                       that will be rolled out that will probably
                                  To drive this initiative, we encourage staff                         change and revolutionized many traditional
                                  to write up even simple careless, ordinary                           aquaculture practices and we will be
                                  mistakes, example, in not making a job plan                          introducing range of products in particular
                                  for payment to supplier to overstocking                              aquaculture areas that we have not entered.
                                  of snails per basket which led to losses.                            These products will be developed based on
                                  The positive outcomes were a formalized                              our patented technologies and processes.
                                  job schedule and guideline on maximum
                                  stocking limit for snails.                                           There will definitely be more innovations in
                                                                                                       the pipeline, we have started the journey
                                                                                                       and continue to water the trees and reap the
                                                                                                       fruits, but we are not stopping here, more
                                                                                                       trees are planted for the future.

                                                                                                       Kenny Yap
                                                                                                       Executive Chairman & Managing Director

                                                                     Q I A N H U C O R P O R AT I O N L I M I T E D
QIAN HU CORPORATION LIMITED
                               COMPANY REGISTRATION NO.: 199806124N

No. 71 Jalan Lekar Singapore 698950 • Tel: (65) 6766 7087 Fax: (65) 6766 3995 • www.qianhu.com
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