Business

Better known previously as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Harrisons and Crosfield PLC, Harrisons is one of the oldest, largest and most established sales, marketing, warehousing and distribution organizations in Malaysia, particularly in East Malaysia where it has been in business for more than 100 years and developed a very good distribution network that ranks amongst the best in the country.

The Group also has a major presence in the shipping agency industry in East Malaysia where it represents a large number of major international and domestic shipping lines. In East Malaysia, the Group is also one of the few companies to maintain a network of 7 (seven) fully computerized travel ticketing and sales offices.

Harrisons’ income is currently derived mainly from the marketing, sales, warehousing and distribution of consumer, building and engineering products, agricultural and industrial chemicals, and the operation of shipping and travel agencies. These are conducted through its three main subsidiary companies: Harrisons Sabah Sdn Bhd (“Harrisons Sabah”) which covers Sabah, Harrisons Sarawak Sdn Bhd (“Harrisons Sarawak”) which covers Sarawak and Harrisons Peninsular Sdn Bhd (“Harrisons Peninsular”) which covers Peninsular Malaysia.

1.

In East Malaysia, Harrisons Sabah and Harrisons Sarawak are involved in the marketing, sales, warehousing and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods, building materials, engineering products and agricultural chemicals as well as operation of shipping and travel agencies.


2.

In Peninsular Malaysia, Harrisons Peninsular is involved in the marketing, sales, warehousing and distribution of building materials, consumer goods and industrial and agricultural chemicals, and logistics services.


Distribution Network of Harrisons

The Group had its beginning as a relatively modest Harrisons and Crosfield trading outpost in 1918 in Sandakan in Sabah and has today grown into a major Malaysian distribution and services company that can proudly take its place amongst the bigger corporations in terms of profitability, sales turnover, asset backing, employee size, business spread and geographical reach.

Harrisons has more than 400 principals and distributes more than 13,000 products to over 15,000 accounts spread all over Malaysia. It achieved a turnover of RM1.81 Billion in 2020.

Harrisons together operate a total network of 27 branches strategically located throughout Malaysia (13 in Peninsular Malaysia, 9 in Sabah and 5 in Sarawak).

The Group employs more than 1,700 people and is highly regarded as an employer of choice, with relatively low staff turnover. The staff and management possess a deep industry-specific experience, skills and proprietary knowledge to ensure continued growth and profitability to the company.

Highly regarded by its business partners, principals as well as the trade, Harrisons has represented major multi-nationals for considerable period of time — Nestle has been with the Group for over 88 years, Heineken for over 64 years, Malex for over 52 years and Maerskline for over 60 years. Other well-known companies represented by Harrisons include Vinda Marketing (previously known as SCA Hygiene Malaysia), Reckitt Benckiser (Dettol, Shieldtox), Kao (Biore, Laurier) and Cocolin.

Many principals and partners today regard Harrisons as an integral part of their sales and local market intelligence and research which are vital to their continuing success in the markets where they have entrusted Harrisons with special distribution rights.