KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corp Bhd's wholly-owned Cosway (M) Sdn Bhd will expand its manufacturing plant in Shah Alam, Selangor, which is currently operating at nearly full capacity.

According to Dr. Alice Lee, Cosway chief executive officer, it planned to double its existing product lines to six by the end of 2023 and would invest about RM3 million in the plan.

"Every year, we manufacture over 10 million consumer products for Malaysia alone, and the number is growing. In addition, each year, we produce a few million products for export to Greater China, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan.

"The plant expansion is critical as we expand our existing product line and enter new markets. We have new product lines such as healthy mattresses and water filters that are selling very well," she told the New Straits Times.

Cosway was founded in 1979 as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company.

It currently has over one million active members worldwide.

Berjaya Group purchased the company in 1994.

Cosway currently markets over 2500 active consumer products, including health and nutritional supplements, personal care products, water filtration systems, cosmetics and fragrances, skincare, body shaping lingerie, home and car care, food and beverages, and newly curated Muslim-friendly trendy fashion products.

Under its loyalty program, the company offers over 5,000 redemption products to its members.

In September 2017, the company opened its largest concept store, "Cosway Experience Centre," at the Berjaya Times Square shopping mall, where the majority of its products are displayed.

Lee said unlike typical MLM companies, Cosway sourced almost all of its products from independent manufacturers, leading research organisations, and ingredient suppliers.

"As a result, Cosway can benefit from the world's manufacturing and research communities' advanced technological and scientific innovations. Our product pricing is competitive. We offer premium products at affordable prices," she said.

Cosway products are available in over 400 exclusive stores and leader centres worldwide, including hypermarkets, high-density residential developments, major shopping malls, and housing areas.

The R series body lotion, the Miyami two-way cake foundation, dishwasher, supplements, and water filter are the company's top five selling products. 

According to Lee, the fastest moving products during the pandemic were household cleaning products, sanitisers, and disinfectant spray.

Cosway generated nearly RM40 million in sales from its household cleaning products, not including contract manufacturing and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) sales, she said.

"We anticipate revenue for the household cleaning products will increase by 15 per cent to 20 per cent over the next three to five years in tandem with our plant and market expansion," Lee added.