BERJAYA GROUP BERHAD - Berjaya Corporation Berhad

54
CEO’s Review Of Operations
Taiga Forest Products Ltd (“Taiga”), a company
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange is the
largest wholesale distributor of lumber, panel
products and related building materials in
Canada and United States.
For the financial year ended 31 March 1998,
Taiga continued to record sales and volume
growth due to a strong US economy and
growing demand for housing in the North
American markets. However, earnings were
affected due to an oversupply in the Canadian
market, worsened by the collapse in the lumber
markets in Japan and Asian countries. This
resulted in lower sales prices and hence
margins made on products sold.
Taiga’s strong distribution network played a
major role in its success and growth. To date,
Taiga operates 14 full-service distribution
centres located coast-to-coast across Canada to
meet market demand for “just in time”
inventory services, which provides the essential
link between manufacturers with large volumes
of products to sell and retailers or industrial
customers with smaller but wider-ranging
needs. As the distribution network expanded,
products mix became important. From
distributing one product, the range has
increased to accommodate the retailers’ needs
for one-stop shopping. The strategic mix of
products helped Taiga maintain balance, focus
and efficiency while responding to the needs of
both its customers and suppliers.
TAIGA FOREST
PRODUCTS LTD.,
CANADA.
The outlook is positive as Taiga continues to
expand and improve on its network and
services coupled with the growing demand for
housing and a strong US economy.
Gribbles Pathology (Vic) Pty Ltd, operates one of
the largest private medical pathology
laboratories in Australia, handling in excess of
9,000 patient samples a day. The group
operates through 2 main laboratories with 22
regional laboratories and over 100 licensed
collection centres in 3 states namely South
Australia, Victoria and New South Wales
representing some 65% of the market in South
Australia and about 33% in Victoria. In
November 1997, Gribbles expanded its growth
in the pathology service industry with the
acquisition of UniPath Laboratory for A$15
million.
Gribbles is also involved in environmental, soil,
food, drug and chemical testing through
Gribbles Analytical Laboratories and provides
veterinary pathology services through the
Victorian Veterinary Pathology Services.
Recently, the group has diversified its role
within the medical diagnostic field to venture
into radiology with the incorporation of a new
company called Gribbles Radiology Pty Ltd.
The company has since opened 4 sites in the
Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Gribbles Pathology (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a jointventure
between Berjaya Group and Gribbles
Australia, commenced operation in December
1996 at Pantai Medical Centre in Bangsar. In
January 1998, the company relocated to its new
purpose-built laboratory at Wisma KT, Petaling
Jaya. During the year under review, the
company opened another 3 regional laboratories
in Melaka, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu and one
collecting centre in Kluang, bringing the total
number of laboratories in operation to 9. The
company also won privatization contracts for
the provision of pathology services at the
Adventist Hospital in Pulau Pinang and