HARITH Ridzuan, a second-generation entrepreneur and founder of The Green Factory, said his vision and mission in life is to help others turn their traditional business "green".
"In 2021, green products contributed to only eight per cent of our revenue but last year, it rose to almost 55 per cent of the total revenue of RM5.7 million."
Harith, who is affectionately known as "The Green Carpenter" among friends, said sustainability could become a competitive edge as it enabled businesses to reduce cost, improve profit margin, create new revenue source, and attract talents and investors.
The Green Factory is proof that sustainability does increase productivity and profit margin.
Harith grew up helping his parents at their family-owned wood manufacturing factory in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
The company, One Tech Sdn Bhd, which has since relocated to Ampang, now has 45 employees, of whom 80 per cent are below the age of 35.
When he was younger, Harith's parents would bring him along on overseas trips organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporate (Matrade) for furniture makers to promote their products,
After high school, Harith pursued a degree in Business Management at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. Upon his return to Malaysia, he joined One Tech and enrolled in professional carpentry classes.
He found that the industry created too much waste and also did not care where the raw materials came from.
In 2012, Harith tapped the "hipster cafe" boom that helped push the demand for "upcycled" furniture made from recycled wood, crates and pallets.
He admitted his parents often wondered why he would go dumpster-diving for old wood but they eventually supported his "green" ventures.
He is now spreading the message of sustainability through his Green Hammer initiative, a programme aimed at raising public awareness about sustainability.
In 2013, he began revamping his traditional wood manufacturing business by placing sustainability at the core of the company's mission.
"For example, our phone stands that are made from excess wood are one of our most popular items as big corporates love to give them out as corporate gifts. There are labour costs but no material costs and the savings will go to the customers.
"Last year, we also designed and manufactured furniture and wood décor using recycled wood for Farm Fresh," he said.
"This year, I will also focus my activism work involving small and medium enterprises. Sustainability is a journey and a broad concept."
Harith is now looking to raise RM5 million on Leet Capital's Equity Crowdfunding platform as part of his plans to list the company in 2028. The minimum amount of investment starts from RM250.
He has been recognised for his advocacy of green lifestyle products made from sustainable timber, including Japan's "2018 Good Design Award for The Green Factory" initiative and the "2018 Europa Sustainability Awards".
Under his leadership, The Green Factory has founded seven brands and exported products to more than 20 countries.
The company, which has adopted various green practices in its operations, including ethical sourcing, green design and non-toxic coatings, is also a research and design factory that produces hundreds of designs annually.
"We want to churn out sustainable products and make them accessible to the masses," Harith said.
The writer was a journalist with the New Straits Times before joining a Fortune Global 500 real estate company. This article is a collaboration between the New Straits Times and Tradeview, the author of 'Once Upon A Time In Bursa'.
