Chin Hin Group Berhad (“Chin Hin”) has come a long way from its beginnings as a small hardware store in the 1970s. Today, the Bursa Malaysia-listed company has evolved into a diversified group spanning building materials, construction engineering, property development and home & living, with a presence across 13 countries.
Growth has brought scale, new capabilities and new opportunities. It has also brought together businesses with different expertise, systems and ways of working.
For Chin Hin, the next chapter is not simply about becoming bigger, it is about becoming more connected. As the group continues to expand, its transformation is guided by a simple principle: One Chin Hin. It is a philosophy that brings together businesses, people, technology and culture under a shared vision, enabling the group to operate as one connected ecosystem while leveraging the unique strengths of each company. At its heart is a simple belief: the strongest organisations of the future will not be built by technology alone. They will be built when people, culture and technology move forward together.
One Intelligent Enterprise
Achieving the "One Chin Hin" vision requires more than just ambition; it requires a technological infrastructure that can bridge the gaps between diverse business units. A critical milestone in this journey is Chin Hin's strategic partnership with China's leading enterprise software provider, Kingdee International Software Group.
Through the implementation of Kingdee's AI-powered enterprise resource planning platform, Chin Hin is building a common digital backbone across its ecosystem by connecting building materials, construction engineering, property development and home & living through integrated finance, procurement and supply chain capabilities that cohesively link with industry-leading front-end operational modules, ensuring the entire ecosystem operates as one Chin Hin.
"As the organisation continues to grow through acquisitions and expansion, Chin Hin is investing heavily in leadership development, skills-based learning and a unified corporate culture to prepare its workforce for an AI-enabled future," said Abel Saw, Chin Hin Group Chief Transformation Officer.
"The next colleagues joining the workforce won't just be new generation of people; they will also be AI agents. The organisations that pull ahead will be those that create a culture where humans and AI grow and work together." he explained.
One Vision, One Culture
Technology accelerates transformation, but culture enables it. As Chin Hin expanded through acquisitions including Ajiya, Signature and Fiamma, it recognised that true integration required more than aligning systems and processes. It required bringing people together under a shared purpose.
This led to the development of One Vision, One Culture, a people-first philosophy that aligns values, talent strategies and ways of working across the group. Rather than creating uniformity, it establishes a common foundation that allows every business to contribute its strengths while advancing together as One Chin Hin.
This commitment to a unified culture has earned significant industry recognition. Chin Hin Group Berhad was named one of the winners of the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2025 under the theme "Multi-Generation Synergy," recognising organisations that foster collaboration across different generations. Its digital transformation efforts were also acknowledged through the HR Asia Tech Empowerment Awards 2025.
Across the Chin Hin ecosystem, five accolades were received, highlighting the strength of the group-wide strategy:
Chin Hin Group – HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2025
Chin Hin Group – HR Asia Tech Empowerment Awards 2025
Ajiya – HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2025
Signature – HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2025
Fiamma – HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2025
"This collective achievement reflects our unwavering commitment and shared purpose that drives us to create exemplary workplaces under the Chin Hin banner," said Abel.
United Across Generations
Building One Chin Hin also means understanding that every generation experiences work differently. Today, Chin Hin's workforce spans Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z, with Generation Alpha expected to follow in the years ahead. Rather than viewing these differences as challenges, the group sees them as opportunities to build a stronger and more inclusive organisation.
Through employee engagement surveys, focus groups and open dialogue sessions, Chin Hin continuously listens to its people to ensure every voice contributes to shaping the future of work. While priorities may differ across generations, one insight remains remarkably consistent. Across the organisation, embracing change is one of the strongest values shared by employees. This collective mindset enables businesses across the ecosystem to accelerate their AI transformation, innovate, and move forward together as One Chin Hin.
Where People and AI Grow Together
For Chin Hin, preparing for an AI-powered future is not simply about deploying new technologies. It is about ensuring every employee has the confidence, skills and mindset to thrive alongside them. The group believes AI should augment people, not replace them, enabling employees to focus on strategic thinking, collaboration and higher-value work.
This philosophy drives Chin Hin's investment in continuous learning, digital literacy and adaptability, helping employees across the ecosystem prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.
"Technology can accelerate change, but culture determines whether that change succeeds. When people are empowered to learn, experiment and adapt, AI becomes an enabler of innovation rather than a source of disruption," said Abel.
Building the Next Chapter as ONE Chin Hin
As technology continues to reshape industries, Chin Hin believes its greatest advantage remains unchanged: its people.
By combining AI-powered technologies with a culture built on trust, continuous learning and shared purpose, the group is strengthening the foundations of One Chin Hin, a connected ecosystem where businesses, people and technology work together to create lasting value, drive innovation and shape the next chapter of growth.
One Vision provides a shared direction.
One System creates a connected digital backbone.
One Culture unites people and businesses through shared values and purpose.
Whether through a unified ERP system, a cohesive people strategy, or the integration of new acquisitions, every initiative serves the same ultimate goal: to build a stronger, smarter, and more resilient One Chin Hin.
This series of Corporate Pioneers is in collaboration with CXP Best Customer Experience Awards.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
