MATRDS and TRMAM have been communicating with its members, advising them to adhere to the MCO for early resumption of operations.
MATRDS and TRMAM Help Members to Weather Economic Downturn
The whole world has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, including Malaysia. To stem the spread of the virus, the Malaysian government has continued its nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) with boarder closures and shutdowns for non-essential businesses.
The MCO was first enforced on 18th March, but was extended before its expiration on 14th April to 28th April.
During the current third phase of the MCO, the government has allowed selected industries to resume in stages alongside strict hygiene guideline and movement restrictions. This includes selected construction projects, the machinery and equipment industry, as well as selected activities of auto players. Then, based on a frequently-asked-question (FAQ) sheet released by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) on 13th April, vehicle workshops and car parts centres in the country were given the green light to operate during the MCO. However, companies not allowed to operate would incur more losses due to the prolonged MCO.
According to an official announcement made by the Selangor and Federal Territory Tyre Dealers and Retreaders Association (STDRA) to their members on 26th March, auto workshops under the jurisdiction of municipal councils in Selangor are allowed to operate between 9am to 4pm with staff of not more than 10 or less during the MCO. However, their counterparts in Kuala Lumpur are to remain closed during the period.
In the midst of the virus threat, spare parts shortage, low demand and government measures, the tyre servicing and retreading industry has to think of way to survive and take decisive actions. This is where Malaysian Tyre Retreaders & Dealers Association (MATRDS) and Tyre Retreading Manufacturers’ Association of Malaysia (TRMAM) come to play, who have brought together a committed group of professionals that have deep industry roots and expertise, as well as resources. They would be the collective voice on important industry issues, a source of possible influence on legislation, and a force for the improvement of conditions within the industry.
MATRDS: Adhere to MCO for Early Resumption of Operations
MATRDS President Goh Soo Chay has been active in the tyre industry since 1972. Since beginning to work for someone else, and from starting his own business to today, 48 years have passed.
“I have gone through so many ups and downs, including economic downturns, recessions, financial crises, but I have never experienced anything like this before. The outbreak of Covid-19 has turned into a global pandemic that has greatly impacted the global economy, and the impact is bigger than any other impact. To curb the spread of the virus, the Malaysian government has implemented the MCO. Various industries have had to stop their operations during the MCO with only selected industries being allowed to work. The tyre retailing industry has also been affected by the MCO. In certain regions tyre servicing centres can operate with shorter business hours and a limited number of staff, while others are not allowed to open. This has led our members receiving either zero income or only obtaining 20 per cent of the total daily income they received before the MCO. Lack of working capital is the biggest problem faced by many of our members, which has jeopardised the ability to finance day-to-day operations. Some have even been forced to wind down their business.”
MATRDS, he said, has tried its very best to seek assistance from government through various channels. “Apart from the main appeal to government to allow tyre serving centres to operate with shorter business hours nationwide, we have also pleaded for subsidies and more tax relief. Furthermore, MATRDS has joined forces with other associations, raising their concerns through the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCIM) on staying afloat during the MCO. The good news is that government has agreed to channel RM1,200 to employers for every employee whose monthly income is RM4,000 or below for 3 months under the Wage Subsidy Programme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).”
Alongside this, he encouraged members to talk to their tyre suppliers about extending payment days to weather the hard times. Also available is the micro scheme for micro businesses extended to Tekun Nasional with a maximum loan limit of RM10,000 per company at no interest and also the Special Relief Facility (SRF) to provide assistance to SMEs who are affected by Covid-19. The maximum financing rate is now lowered from 3.75 per cent per year to 3.50 per cent, where members could apply to ease their financial burdens.
“We have applied to government to resume operations during the MCO, but the terms and conditions given by government are too demanding, and we found them difficult to comply with.”
After the MCO is lifted, Goh said, members will have to adjust their mindset. Business closure and staying at home during the MCO has been a torture, leading a small number of tyre dealers to becoming depressed and even breakdown. MATRDS, he stressed, would strive to support the members, enhance their confidence to face new challenges.
“We would help them to resume their operation and change their management method to cope with the future market changes. We believe that after the MCO period has ended, the market will recover in small scale. It will take at least 6 to 9 months to fully recover. Insufficient capital would reduce the purchasing power, businesses would be even harder, as well as payment corrections. The challenges for MATRDS would be how to help our members solve their financial problems, staff issues, management method and many more, to enable our members to get back to their normal operations.”
Currently, MATRDS has about 2,500 members. Goh revealed that there is a plan to add two more divisions to enhance the operation of MATRDS, namely the government affairs division and business affairs division.
“The setup of the government affairs division in the Association would enable us to directly communicate with related government ministries such as the Transport Ministry and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry so that we could have a better understanding on the government regulations or policies that relate to the tyre industry, and possibly influence legislation that affects the industry. Of course, this department would help us to express our concerns and the problems faced by members to the government. Whereas, the business affairs division would be responsible for participating in activities organised by various related Business Associations and Chambers of Commerce, interacting with them to have a better understanding of the problems and concerns of other related industries. Last but not least is to continue to provide training for the members’ employees, upgrading their skills and knowledge, enhancing their service standards,” he concluded.
TRMAM: Prospect Remains Despite Pain in the Neck
TRMAM President Kew Kuik Tin said, since the outbreak of Covid-19 at the end of 2019, the pandemic has now come to its peak. “Businesses in various industries began to feel the strain as the MCO entered into its third phase. It has affected the tyre retreading industry significantly, as well as the transport and logistics industry that is closely related to us.”
During this difficult time, he pointed out, TRMAM’s has been communicating with its members, advising them to adhere to the MCO. He stressed the importance of cooperation with the government to fight against the spread of coronavirus, with the hope of controlling the epidemic in one to two months’ time, in order to restore market stability.
“We urge the members to look after each other and avoid destructive competition. There will be clear skies after every downpour, and we believe there are still prospects in the tyre retreading industry.”
Did TRMAM carry out a dialogue with the government to express members’ concerns and needs regarding the MCO? Kew said, TRMAM is a ‘micro’ organisation, but they have already raised their concerns and are making their appeal through The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCIM), Malaysian Rubber Products Manufacturers Association (MRPMA) and MATRDS.
“During the duration of the MCO, the government has introduced the Wage Subsidy Programme to employees being fired and losing their income. To do so, the government will provide a subsidy between RM800-RM1200, depending on the number of employees in the company, for the next three months. This is an increase of the subsidy announced previously, which is RM600 per employee. In addition, the allocation of the Special Relief Facility (SRF) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be increased to RM5 billion from RM2 billion. The maximum financing rate is now lowered to 3.5 per cent. The enhanced SRF is available until the end of the year. All these would benefit our members.”
In fact, he said, every retreader has experienced a drop in production volumes, and the outbreak of Covid-19 has worsened the situation. The challenges that they faced include severe competition from cheap new tyres, high application fees for foreign labour, difficulties in getting local labour, and the wage subsidy from the government during the MCO is not sufficient. It’s a pain in the neck.
The third phase of the MCO is scheduled till 28th April. He pointed out that the progress is slow, and might be prolonged until the middle of May. Adjustment would be needed after the MCO ends, he said, as the market will probably remain unstable in the short term.
“The market will need a long time to recover after the Covid-19 crisis. Many industries including tyre retreading will face collection problems, the operation for retreaders who do not have financial reserves to turn over would be affected. Retreaders have to adjust their footsteps, as the government would tighten their requirements in various industries. We have to enhance our quality, advance with the times, creating a brilliant future.”
TRMAM currently has 32 qualified retreading companies as members. Moving forward, he said, the Association would continue to work with related organisations such as SIRIM Berhad and the Malaysian Rubber Board to increase the quality of retreading products.
“We would also continue to join hands with Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ) and its subsidiary departments to organise road safety awareness campaigns, to eliminate the public’s misunderstanding about retreaded tyres that they are inferior in quality. Retreaded tyres are safe with a high economic value, and they are widely use in Europe and the United States, as well as other advanced countries. Currently, the majority of Malaysian retreading plants use state-of-art retreading tyre technology and adhere to Malaysian product quality standards and certification. Thus, the quality and performance of retreaded tyres that are produced by the certified retreaders are equivalent to new tyres,” he added.
马来西亚轮胎商总会与马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会
谈新冠肺炎对轮胎行业的冲击
全球，包括马来西亚都受到新冠肺炎疫情的严重打击。为了阻止该病菌的蔓延，大马政府继续在全国实行行动管制，封锁边境和强制关闭非必要商店。
马来西亚从3月18日落实行动管制令，并在原本规定于14日解禁前，再度将行管延长至4月28日。
然而在第三阶段的行管期间，政府允许某些行业在严格遵守卫生和行动指南下分阶段开业。这包括了特定的建筑工程计划、机械及设备行业，以及特定的汽车业者。按马来西亚国际贸易及工业部（MITI）于4月13日发布的常见问题清单显示，国内的汽车修车厂和汽车零部件中心能够在行动管制期间营业。然而，那些不被允许开业的公司将因行动管制的一再延长而蒙受更多的损失。
根据雪隆轮胎同业公会（STRDA）于3月26日发出的文告显示，在雪兰莪市议会管辖范围内的修车厂在行管期间每日可在早上9时至4时之间，工作人员不超过10人或以下营业。然而，他们在吉隆坡的同行却不获准开业。
处于新冠肺炎的威胁、零部件短缺、需求低及政府的措施当中，轮胎服务及翻胎行业必须思考能够存活下来的方法和做出决定。这正是马来西亚轮胎商总会（MATRDS）和马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会（TRMAM）能够发挥所长的地方。这两大公会集合了具有深厚行业根基和专业知识，以及资源的专业团队。因此，它们是业界重要课题的集体声音，具有可能影响立法和改善行业条件的能力。
马来西亚轮胎商总会：遵守行动管制令，早日复业
马来西亚轮胎商总会会长吴素星自1972年加入轮胎业，从打工到创业至今已有48年。
“我经历了许多风风雨雨，其中包括無数次的经济衰退、不景气，金融风暴等危机，但却从未遇见过像这一次暴发的疫情危机。它对经济的殺伤力远比以前的任何影响都来得大。为阻止疫情扩大，政府落实了行动管制令，勒令多种行业暂停营业，其中包括了我们轮胎业，以致我们遭遇到前所未有的冲击。某些区域里的轮胎服务中心能够在缩短营业时间和限制员工人数下营业，有些区域则完全不能营业。这致使我们的一些会员完全没有收入，或者只有平时收入的20%。我们的许多会员面对的最大挑战是资金不足，周转不灵，无法应付日常开销，有些甚至被迫结束营业。”
他说，马来西亚轮胎商总会竭尽全力，通过各种管道向政府寻求援助。“除了要求政府让全国轮胎服务中心能够在缩短营业时间下复业，也希望政府可以提供其他津贴和增加减免税收。此外，公会也联合其他行业公会，通过马来西亚中华总商会向政府表达会员在行动管制期间的担忧和诉求。好消息是政府为了援助中小型企业推出了工资补贴计划，在该计划下月薪少于4，000令吉的员工都将获得1，200令吉的薪资补贴，为期3个月，也就是说政府将为雇主承担员工部分的薪资。”
与此同时，他也鼓励会员个别与供应商要求延长賬期，共同渡过难关。此外，还有国家创业集团商业基金（Tekun Nasional） 下的微型公司贷款也同样豁免利息，贷款顶限为每家公司1万令吉。为了协助受新冠肺炎疫情影响的中小型企业，政府还推出了特别援助金（SRF），利息从每年的3.75% 调低至3.50% ，减轻业者的财务负担。
“我们也有向政府申请要求重新开业，唯因政府的复业条件过于苛刻而只能自动放弃。”
吴素星说，当行管期结束后，会员需要调整心态。行管期间的休业与禁足让业者心理非常不好受，有小部份感到沮丧甚至崩溃。他强调，总会将努力为会员提供支持，提高他们面对新挑战的信心。
“我们将协助他们复业，改变经营方式来应付未来的市场转变。我们相信行管令解除后，市场会小规模复苏，然而要全面恢复却至少需要6至9 月的时间。资金不足将降低购买力，生意将会更难做，收账更难。总会的挑战是如何协助会员处理他们的财务问题、员工去留、经营模式等，帮助他们回到正轨。”
目前，马来西亚轮胎商公会在全国有大约2，500 名会员。他透露说，总会的未来计划是加强公会组织，增设政府事务部和商业事务部两个部门。
“在总会里设立政府事务部，让我们能够直接联系政府相关部门，如交通部与贸销部，以便更了解与轮胎行业相关的政府法律或政策，影响可能会对轮胎行业带来冲击的法规。当然。该部门也能协助我们向政府传达会员的担忧和所面对的问题。至于商业事务部，主要在于参加各大商会的活动，互相往来。进一步了解其他相关行业所面对的问题和担忧。最后，总会将继续为会员的员工提供培训，提升他们的技能与知识，进而提高会员的服务水平。”他总结。
马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会：尽管困难重重，前景可观
马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会会长邱国庭表示，自2019年年底新冠病毒扩散至今，疫情已进入高峯期。“随着行管进入第三阶段，各行各业都感受到了压力。当然，轮胎翻新业也遭受了严重打击，就连与我们息息相关的运输业也不能幸免。”
他指出，在这段艰难的时刻，公会不断地与会员沟通，建议会员遵守政府的行管令。他强调与政府合作共同对抗病毒扩散的重要性，并希望能在一两个月内将疫情控制下來，恢复市场隱定。
“我们呼吁会员互相照应，不做恶性竞争。 我对翻胎行业充满信心，相信雨后天晴，还会有一片蓝天。”
马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会是否有与政府对话，表达会员们对行管期间的担忧与需求？邱国庭说，马来西亚轮胎翻新厂商公会是个微型组织，我们已经通过马来西亚中华总商会（ACCIM）、马來西亚橡膠製造厂商会（MRPMA）及马来西亚轮胎商总会（MATRDS）向政府表达了公会的意向与诉求。
“在行管期间，政府推出了工资补贴计划，为每名员工提供800 至1，200令吉的薪金津贴，为期3个月，按公司的员工人数而定。这比先前所公布的每名员工补贴600令吉提高了一些。此外，还有中小型企业的特别援助金（SRF）拨款也从原本的20亿令吉提高至50亿令吉，最高融资年利率减低至3.5% ，申请期到今年年底。这些都对我们的会员有所助益。”
事实上，他说每家翻胎厂都已经面对着生產量下跌的问题，如今再加上新冠疫情的爆发，可说是雪上加霜，苦不堪言。业者同时面对着便宜新轮胎的竞争、外劳员工申请费用太高、本地工人难求，以及行管期间政府薪金补贴不足的种种挑战，非常艰苦。
第三阶段的行管令定在4月28日结束。他指出，从目前不怎么乐观的进展看来，行管可能会延续到五月中旬。他说，解禁后需要一段适应期，短期内市场可能不稳定。
“市场的复苏还要很長的一段时间，翻胎商都会面对收账问题，如果没有后備金週转将影响营运操作。翻胎业者必须调整步伐，政府今后也会严格对待各行各业。我们必须加强品质，与时并进，再创辉煌。”
马来西亚轮胎商公会目前有32家合格的翻胎公司作为会员。他说未来公会将持续与相关机构紧密合作，如国家標準局（SIRIM）和马来西亚橡胶局（LGM）合作，不断提高产品的质量。
他补充：“我们也会保持与交通部（JPJ）及其附属部门筹办道路安全与醒觉运动，消除大众对翻新轮胎在品质方面的一些误解。翻新轮胎既安全又具有高经济价值，欧美等先进国家都在广泛使用翻新轮胎。目前大部分的马来西亚翻胎工厂采用先进的翻新技术，而且都严格遵循马来西亚的品质标准和规格验证。因此，拥有合格认证翻胎厂所制造的翻新轮胎，无论是品质或性能都能与新轮胎媲美。”
