Liaw (third left) receiving the Sabah Industry Excellence Award (Category 5) 2018/2019 from Madius in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday night

SANDAKAN: After 17 years in business, Life Water Industries Sdn Bhd (K2) is now one of the most consumed brands of mineral water in Sabah.

The company was also recognised by the State Government when it received the Sabah Industry Excellence Award (Category 5) 2018/2019 from the Ministry of Trade and Industry which was presented by its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday night.

According to K2’s Managing Director, Liaw Hen Kong, before the company became a top choice in the local market, it had its struggles and had gone through a series of obstacles in the process of producing clean and quality water for all to enjoy.

In the effort to build the company, the management has implemented eight core values among its employees.

“Team work among our staff has become the main catalyst of Life Water to achieve success in SME (Small Medium Enterprise) in Malaysia,” Liaw shared.

He then said that in 2002, K2 had officially started it operation in Sandakan. During that time, water processing industry was full with obstacles and challenges, but the company stood strong with its principle to produce quality water to all consumers.

The company’s management and administration have boosted the drinking water industry and the economic development in Sabah as its products cover the whole

Sabah, including the interior areas.

With continuous effort, K2 set up its second factory in Industrial Park Kota Kinabalu in 2010, which is now the biggest drinking water factory in Sabah.

Both its factories have achieved international standard certificate ISO22000 and Food Safety Certification (FSSC) which had made the company’s products more competent in the local market.

In mid-2019, K2 has used new materials to process its bottles which had reduced its bottle’s mass by 40 percent to reduce energy consumption in its production process.

“Next year, we will be using rPET type bottles in which the bottles could be recycled,” Liaw pointed.

Life Water is now producing K2, SaSa, isotonic drink, Tritonic, and flavoured carbonated drink 2More, to offer more choices to the market.

Furthermore, Life Water has been organising programmes and activities that involve the public in order to strengthen the relationship with the local community.

Among the programmes that have been organised are open visitation, blood donation campaign, its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and more.

“We are proud to have been selected as the official beverage for several national and international activities and events, including the Borneo International Climbathon, Borneo International Marathon, Sabah Fest, Sabah Music Fest and more. This proves that Life Water produces good quality products and receives recognition from the public,” Liaw said.

As one of the successful local entrepreneurs, Life Water Industries Sdn Bhd pledged to give back to the community through its CSR activities in education, recycling programmes, and community programme.

These programmes include: Tritonic Education Fund, which provides sponsorship for school activities, scholarship, stationery and books for under privileged students; Donate Blood for Life blood donation campaign which is conducted once in every three months; Life Water Natural Disaster Assistance Committee, which provides water assistance for victims of natural disaster; Life Water Recycling Education Squad, which educates students on the importance of recycling and conduct competition for students; Life Water Foundation, which helps the less fortunate such as the old folks home, orphanage and other welfare organisations.

Other programmes include: Our Water Our Life educational activity that educates the importance of clean water to those living in rural areas; as well as the 2MORE Fun Truck activity.

“The Life Water Industries Sdn Bhd promises that every individual could enjoy high quality drink at a reasonable price, drop by drop, and it will be a source of prosperity,” Liaw said.