Born to Succeed
A World-class Manufacturer Blending Tradition and State-of-the-Art Technology
For Revertex Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. to succeed as a business, it has had to survive not only competition but economic crises, the ravages of wars and even Acts of Nature. As a company, Revertex has also undergone structural changes to make it more able to face market challenges.
Revertex traces its origin to 30th July 1923 when Krause Drying Process (KDP), a German company, was incorporated to manufacture and market natural rubber concentrates using the evaporation technique.
However, inspired by an enthusiastic technologist’s dream to produce ‘revertible latex’, KDP changed its name to Revertex Ltd on 23rd July 1930. The company’s aim was to convert field rubber latex to powder by the evaporation method. Although the results were not as anticipated, it led to the discovery of commercial concentration of latex by evaporation and subsequently by centrifuging.
A 1961 archive photograph of Revertex's fleet of tankers
On 28th December 1972, Revertex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Revertex Chemical Ltd (UK). As a result of this incorporation, Revertex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. was transformed from a UK branch to a Malaysian company.
In 1976, Revertex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. was restructured to form a joint-venture company with the then Johor State Economic Development Corporation (now known as Johor Corporation). On 26th October 1980, Revertex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. became a member of the Yule Catto Group of Companies when Revertex Chemical Ltd (UK) was acquired by Yule Catto and Co. plc.
The strength of Revertex lies in its unique position as a local company with strong international links. Thus, the company is able to swiftly respond to local market demands, backed up by technical, marketing and consultancy support from its international associates.
Surviving the War
With a history spanning more than eight decades, Revertex survived World War II. "On 12th January 1942, the factories ceased operations when the war situation did not improve, petrol was difficult to obtain and labour was becoming restless," according to a letter in the archives signed by (Sgd) John L. McKendrick, the then Managing Director.
"A report of this nature is by no means complete without mention in the highest terms of praise of the unflinching devotion to duty of your subordinate staff, the majority of whom stuck to the writer till the time he instructed them to leave the factory. "
"The tasks given to these men were hard and laborious involving at times long hours of work. However, there was never a grumble but willingness all along the way, even when the enemies were getting nearer Kluang. Salaries to subordinate staff were paid a month in advance up to 21st February 1942," continued the courageous McKendrick who was later taken as Prisoner of War by the Japanese and subsequently died working at the Siam-Burma railway in 1943. It was this same commitment of the management and staff that helped rebuild Revertex when they returned to work after the war ended in August 1945.
Staff photograph 1947
Surviving the Emergency
After the War, business was again disrupted when the then Malayan Government declared a state of emergency that lasted 11 years. Revertex’s archives record how one of it's Dodge trucks bringing latex from an estate was shot at during the resurgence in 1950. Fortunately, the staff survived. Subsequently, four more armoured trucks were purchased for the safety of travelling staff. The nocturnal curfew at 7pm also posed problems for night-shift workers and engineering staff who had to repair water pumps at night. Despite the dangers, the staff went about their work as usual, some accompanied by the Police. The staff persevered until the situation became normal again in 1956 when the Emergency ended. |
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