CONVENIENCE: Shekin’s products include traditional kuih, samosas and roti canai
JOHOR BARU: SHEKIN Food Sdn Bhd has 40 types of frozen traditional kuih which are being marketed locally and internationally.
Business owner Norashekin Othman, 45, started the frozen kuih business in 1998 with the help of her husband Rosly Haron, 48.
"Our business expanded from producing homemade kuih to manufacturing frozen kuih at a factory in Kompleks Kilang SME Bank since March 2001," she said.
"Now, we have two factories. The second factory was opened in May last year."
Among Shekin Food's top-selling products are potato samosa, beef, sardin and potato epok-epok (curry puff), goreng pisang (banana fritters), pisang nipah (cultivar) and gendang kasturi (greenbean fritters).
"Our company does not use preservatives in making these products. We also adhere to ingredients measurement and would not compromise on quality amid changes in raw material prices," she said.
"Most of the products are wheat-flour-based and come with homemade fillings using traditional family recipes."
The range of frozen food products also includes apam beras, gula hangus, puteri ayu, begerdil, roti canai and doughnuts.
"We also gather customers' feedback on product satisfaction to develop new recipes and for improving the taste," said Norashekin, who added that the egg epok-epok and ubi goreng berempah (seasoned tapioca) were included in the product line-up following feedback from customers.
"The product's shelf life is six months stored under -18oC. We advise our customers to consume the product within three days if placed outside the recommended temperature," she said.
Norashekin revealed plans to expand the market in the near future.
The company supplies to customers in Bandar Baru Uda and Taman Molek, both in Johor Baru; Shah Alam in Selangor; and Singapore. At present, 60 per cent of sales are from the Singapore market.
The frozen food price for wholesale is between RM3.50 and RM7.50 while the retail price is between RM4.50 and RM9.
The factories are located at Lot F2, Blok F, Kompleks Kilang SME Bank and at 15, Jalan Tahana.
They are open daily, except Sundays, from 8am to 6pm.
Norashekin Othman and Rosly Haron showing their frozen kuih and fried kuih. Pic by Zain Ahmed
Read more: Growing market for frozen snacks - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/growing-market-for-frozen-snacks-1.422944?cache=%2F7.234321%2F7.242488%2F7.287479%2F7.478218%2F7.478218%2F7.478218%2F7.478218%2F7.490557%2F7.490557%2F7.490557%2F7.490557%2F7.490557%2F7.490557%2F7.556030%2F7.576460#ixzz2mfj3w5FU
