When homeowners talk about water leakage nightmares or architects weigh the carbon footprint of their projects, one global player often shapes the solutions they turn to: Saint-Gobain.
With a history stretching back to 1665 in France and a footprint across 80 countries today, the building materials giant is reimagining how homes, offices, and infrastructure can be built more sustainably.
In Malaysia, where Saint-Gobain has been present since 2005, its vision is clear: “Making the world a better home.”
For Lynette Siow, CEO of Saint-Gobain Singapore and Malaysia, that vision means balancing comfort, innovation, and climate action.
“Sustainability is non-negotiable. We aim for carbon neutrality by 2050 and are already cutting emissions significantly,” she said.
Investing in Malaysia’s future
One of the company’s proudest milestones is its RM200 million investment in a manufacturing facility in Kamunting, Perak. The expansion is designed to boost production, introduce innovative solutions, and create local jobs.
“This major commitment represents our confidence in Malaysia’s long-term growth potential and reflects our strategy to strengthen local production, innovation, and sustainable growth,” Siow explained.
“The expansion not only improves our production capacity but also enhances our ability to introduce new and innovative solutions.
“More importantly, it supports the local economy by creating job opportunities, boosting supply chain resilience, and enabling faster response to the local construction ecosystem.”
Today, the group operates 11 factories in Malaysia and Singapore, a number set to rise to 13 with new acquisitions, and employs more than 1,000 staff, most of them in sales, marketing, and technical roles.
From homes to hospitals, airports to data centres
Though best known for residential solutions, Saint-Gobain’s materials reach far beyond homes. Whether it's a hospital that needs hygienic partitions and acoustic ceilings, or a data centre demanding fire-rated and moisture-resistant walls, the company delivers end-to-end solutions backed by technical expertise.
In Malaysia, three flagship global brands dominate its offerings: Gyproc (gypsum board), Prima (fibre cement board), and Weber/GCP/Fosroc (construction chemicals). Together, they form part of a wider global catalogue that spans gypsum boards, ceilings, fibre cement boards, construction chemicals, waterproofing, tile adhesives, sealants, mortars and more.
Unlike competitors who specialise in a single product line, Saint-Gobain’s strength lies in being a one-stop systems provider. “Customers can come to us for complete, integrated solutions, instead of having to deal with 10 different suppliers,” Siow noted.
Innovation as a growth engine
Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. With eight R&D centres worldwide, including one in China, Saint-Gobain keeps a strong pipeline of new solutions that improve productivity and environmental performance.
“One in every four products we sell didn’t exist five years ago. That’s how focused we are on innovation,” Siow opined.
Recent moves, such as the acquisition of Fosroc, a global leader in high-performance construction chemicals, are strengthening this innovation ecosystem further.
Together with Weber and GCP, Fosroc enables Saint-Gobain to deliver more advanced, integrated solutions for Malaysia’s evolving construction industry.
A shift from B2B to B2C
Traditionally focused on business-to-business (B2B) markets, Saint-Gobain is now pivoting towards homeowners and consumers. The change is driven by digital platforms and shifting consumer behaviour.
“In the past, people relied entirely on contractors for decisions. Today, with social media and online platforms, homeowners are more educated and want to make their own choices,” Siow observed.
That shift has transformed how the company communicates. Technical details are important, but brand awareness is critical.
“As a consumer, you can’t master everything about construction. But if you know which brands to trust, you’ll choose them,” she added.
In Malaysia, that means building recognition for Gyproc drywall, Weber waterproofing solutions, and Prima fibre cement boards.
Building with purpose
For Siow, the company’s growth philosophy is anchored in values. “We place our customers at the heart of everything we do. From product development to technical support, our goal is to deliver solutions that add real value,” she explained.
That customer-centric approach is tightly linked to sustainability. Globally, construction contributes nearly 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Saint-Gobain’s response is to actively reduce emissions at its factories, design eco-friendly systems, and align with green building certification standards.
In Malaysia, its sustainability efforts have cut carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to planting 250,000 trees.
Beyond products, the company also nurtures future talents through the Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest, which encourages the next generation of architects to design sustainable, future-ready buildings.
Recognition beyond the industry
In 2025, Saint-Gobain Malaysia clinched the Golden Bull Award, a recognition Siow views as more than just a trophy.
“If you’re not in the construction industry, you might not know us. We’ve always been focused on R&D, innovation, and customer centricity. But now, we’re ready to ‘shout out loud’ about who we are,” she said.
The award also signals a broader ambition: to strengthen its brand visibility not only within construction circles but also among consumers, as it deepens its B2C footprint.
Lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs
Asked what advice she would offer to SMEs and entrepreneurs, Siow distilled her leadership philosophy into four principles:
Stay purpose-driven: “When your business decisions align with a higher mission, success follows naturally.”
Invest in people: “Developing staff and nurturing local leadership is key.”
Embrace innovation: ”Keep evolving. Today’s solutions must be better than yesterday’s.”
Think long term: “Sustainable growth takes time, consistency, and courage.”
The road ahead
As Malaysia strengthens its green construction ecosystem, Saint-Gobain is positioning itself not just as a supplier of materials but as a partner in national development.
Its investments in local manufacturing, expansion of product lines, and embrace of sustainability place it at the intersection of business growth and climate responsibility.
Or, as Siow put it: “We are building better for people and for the planet - right here in Malaysia.”
To learn more about Saint-Gobain’s solutions and sustainability efforts, visit https://www.saint-gobain.my/.
