Latest news with #LiawChoonLiang
The Sun
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Focus Point approves bonus issue & dividend reinvestment
MALAYSIA's leading optical retail chain, Focus Point Holdings Berhad, has secured overwhelming shareholder support for two major initiatives designed to reward investors and enhance share liquidity. The company's Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on July 29, 2025, approved both a substantial 1-for-3 bonus issue and the establishment of a comprehensive Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP). Major Share Expansion Through Bonus Issue The approved bonus issue represents a significant expansion of Focus Point's share capital, with up to 153,999,680 new ordinary shares set to be issued. Current shareholders will receive one bonus share for every three existing shares held, potentially increasing the company's total issued shares from 461,999,041 to an impressive 615,998,721 shares. This strategic move is expected to enhance trading liquidity and make Focus Point shares more accessible to a broader range of investors. The entitlement date will be announced following receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including conditional approval from Bursa Securities. Flexible Dividend Reinvestment Options Complementing the bonus issue, Focus Point's new Dividend Reinvestment Plan offers shareholders unprecedented flexibility in managing their returns. Under this program, investors can choose to reinvest their cash dividends—in whole or in part—into new shares rather than receiving cash payments. The plan covers all types of dividends, including interim, final, special, and other cash distributions. Importantly, the Board retains discretion over which dividends qualify for reinvestment, ensuring the company maintains financial flexibility while offering valuable options to shareholders. Leadership Confidence in Strategic Direction Datuk Liaw Choon Liang, President & Chief Executive Officer of Focus Point, expressed enthusiasm about the initiatives: 'These initiatives reflect our commitment to rewarding shareholders while supporting Focus Point's long-term growth. With the bonus issue enhancing liquidity and broadening investor reach, and the DRP offering a convenient reinvestment option, both initiatives are expected to support the Group's growth trajectory while delivering added value to shareholders.' Strong Foundation for Continued Growth Established in 1989, Focus Point has evolved from a single optical store into Malaysia's premier eyewear and vision care provider. The company operates an extensive network across Malaysia and the region, offering comprehensive optical brands and services through its retail chain and ExcelView Laser Eye Centre. Beyond its core optical business, Focus Point has successfully diversified into food and beverage ventures, including the Japanese-concept Komugi bakery launched in 2012 and the HAP&PI frozen yogurt brand introduced in 2024. The company's multi-faceted approach to business development, combined with these shareholder-focused initiatives, positions Focus Point Holdings as an attractive investment opportunity in Malaysia's retail and consumer services sector. Both initiatives are subject to conditional approval from Bursa Securities and other relevant authorities. UOB Kay Hian (M) Sdn Bhd serves as the Principal Adviser for these corporate exercises.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
B40 students to receive free spectacles under Focus Point-Lions Club initiative
KUALA LUMPUR: Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur North, has launched the Focus4Sight school vision programme to support underprivileged B40 students in government primary schools. Under a memorandum of understanding, up to 1,000 pairs of spectacles will be distributed to B40 students diagnosed with uncorrected refractive errors, aiming to improve their vision health and access to education across the Klang Valley. Focus Point president and chief executive officer Datuk Liaw Choon Liang said the collaboration is part of the company's commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable community for future generations. "It is not just about selling glasses. We are educating children and the public on the importance of vision care. Every year, we donate a few thousand pairs of glasses. We take this responsibility seriously, especially as a public-listed company," he said during an event today. He added that the group is actively working with non-governmental organisations and regularly conducts free eye screenings for schoolchildren, especially those from low-income families. In this latest initiative, the programme will deliver on-site vision screenings in at least eight schools using Focus Point's state-of-the-art mobile optical screening truck, scheduled to run from July to October this year. The launch was formalised in the presence of Batu member of Parliament P. Prabakaran, with schools in his constituency set to pilot the programme. Lions Club will manage the funding for the eyewear, with payments to Focus Point remitted based on confirmed distribution numbers. To date, Focus Point operates 204 outlets nationwide, with plans to open 10 new locations in 2025, including new entries into East Malaysia, beginning with Bintulu and Miri in Sarawak. "This programme gives underprivileged children the chance to fully participate in the classroom, rediscover confidence, and chase their dreams. "With a shared vision and a united heart, we are not just solving problems today – we are building a healthier, more inclusive future," said Liaw.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Store expansions set to buoy Focus Point
PETALING JAYA: Despite the ongoing challenges in retail sentiment, Focus Point Holdings Bhd remains optimistic of its prospects, supported by resilient demand for vision care services, increasing contributions from its expanding corporate client base, and aggressive store openings across the country. President and chief executive officer Datuk Liaw Choon Liang said the optical business remains to be an essential business. He noted that the group has quite an 'aggressive' store expansion plan this year, particularly for its optical segment. Liaw said the company may even surpass its previously guided target of eight to 10 new optical outlets. 'In the last five months, we have already opened about five new optical outlets. There are a few more in the pipeline this year,' Liaw told the media following the group's annual general meeting last Friday. Focus Point also aims to expand its optical retail presence in East Malaysia by opening its first Focus Point Concept Store in Bintulu and a new outlet in Miri. 'We are quite focused in East Malaysia now. We see a huge untapped market in Sarawak and Sabah,' Liaw said. The optical and food and beverage (F&B) operator opened its 200th optical store earlier this month. On the optical segment, Liaw shared that while the retail division still contributes the bulk of revenue, corporate sales have been growing steadily. The group currently serves over 700 corporate clients under its optical programme. 'In the last three years, we have seen significant growth in the optical corporate segment. We registered a very strong double-digit growth in 2024 compared with 2023. 'Currently, the optical corporate segment contributes less than 20% of our total revenue, but there is a big opportunity for further growth. 'We continue to see the number of participating companies increase every month,' he said. Under its F&B segment, Focus Point operates its homegrown premium Japanese bakery brand, Komugi. Recently, the group also introduced Happi, a new concept focusing on frozen yogurt. The first Happi outlet opened at Mid Valley Megamall in early 2024. Liaw said the group targets to open two to three stores for its F&B division this year. 'Unlike our optical business, which allows us to expand more aggressively and flexibly, F&B growth requires more careful planning,' he said. On the Happi business, Liaw said the current store has yet to meet their expectations and there is still much room for improvement, particularly in terms of concept quality and marketing efforts. 'Since we only have one store, we have not achieved the economies of scale in purchasing and procurement. We are still monitoring this business and will approach expansion cautiously,' he said. Focus Point operates two central kitchens in Kota Damansara. While the first central kitchen is fully utilised, there is still some capacity available in the second central kitchen. On this note, Liaw said the group is actively engaging in talks with new corporate clients apart from existing ones like Family Mart and Aeon Co (M) Bhd. 'We are also exploring opportunities with new operators, particularly coffee chains,' he said. Last year, the group had a capital expenditure (capex) of RM16mil to RM20mil. While Liaw did not disclose the exact capex planned for this year, he said it would be 'quite close' to last year's figures. 'Our capex is mainly used to open new outlets and refurbish existing ones,' he said. Liaw said the company will refurbish and also rebrand some of the stores every year. With rebranding, some outlets may be transformed from Focus Point stores into Optometris Anggun outlets, while others may be converted to Focus Point Signature stores. 'We found that after refurbishing or rebranding our stores, sometimes those outlets can grow by another 20% to 30%, even if they were previously very old stores,' he said. This year, Focus Point has identified six to eight outlets for refurbishment. Speaking about US tariffs, Liaw said it may play to the group's advantage, by boosting its bargaining power with suppliers from China and South Korea, who are still grappling with export restrictions. 'These manufacturers may dump their excess stock soon, allowing us to leverage our volume for better deals,' he said.
