Founded in 1885, the company has a workforce of more than 600 skilled craftsmen. The Royal Selangor factory is reputed to be one of the world's largest. During the 18th century, items were mainly incense burners and candle holders for the oriental market. With the British colonials, the offering expanded to tankards, ashtrays and even tea services. The brand was then known as Selangor Pewter.
In the 1970s, the company started exporting, firstly to Singapore, Hong Kong and then Australia. Towards the 1980s, the market expanded into Europe and then later to Japan.
In 1992, the company changed its name to Royal Selangor to reflect its royal endorsement from His Royal Highness and to reflect its diverse product range, which has extended beyond pewter.
Royal Selangor is the most well-known brand in pewter. Presently, the company offers over a thousand different tableware and gift items, from traditional tankards and elegant tea sets, to captivating photo frames and handsome desk accessories.
Distributed in more than 20 countries around the world through its own retail shops as well as a network of distributors, you will also find Royal Selangor in fine stores such as Harrods and John Lewis in United Kingdom; and Wako and Mitsukoshi in Japan to name just a few.
The company has ten marketing offices complete with warehousing facilities around the world. This includes Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Unites States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Thailand and Malaysia and a network of exclusive distribution agents in the rest of the markets.
Royal Selangor pewter is composed of tin, with a small proportion of copper and antimony added to strengthen it. Unlike pewter in the olden days, pewter produced by Royal Selangor does not contain lead, and adheres to international standards.
As pewter has a low melting point and relative softness, it is an ideal material for craftsmen and designers to work with. Designers at Royal Selangor are able to express individuality, beauty and character of the material in a variety of finishes and forms. The material also lends itself to different manufacturing techniques, some of which have been handed down through many generations.
Royal Selangor maintains stringent standards of quality control such that any item that does not meet these standards is rejected. It is certainly assuring to know that no Royal Selangor tea or coffee pot will ever drip because each spout has been flawlessly designed and crafted.
One of the reasons for Royal Selangor's success in the gift and tableware market is its commitment to innovative designs and excellent craftsmanship. Every year, the company comes up with new ranges, some of which have received international recognition. For instance, in 1989 and 1991, Royal Selangor received the Design Plus award at the Frankfurt International Gift Fair. And in 1997, Royal Selangor received the Gift of the Year Award in the licensed gifts category, from the Giftware Association of the United Kingdom.
Grand Slam of Design Awards - The Royal Selangor Wine Celebration funnel made history by winning not one but three international design awards; a Red Dot Award from Germany's Design Zentrum, an IDEA2002 Bronze from the Industrial Designers Society of America and a Good Design Award 2002 from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.
With a talented team of designers and a versatile manufacturing facility, Royal Selangor also custom-manufactures exclusive pieces for corporations and individuals. The company was appointed Official Supplier of Medals and Official License for Pewter for the Kuala Lumpur 98 XVI Commonwealth Games.
Royal Selangor trophies have also graced the winners' podium for other major world class events such as the World Cup Golf 1999 and the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix. Its latest achievement was its appointment as the License for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Millennium Collection, a pewter range exclusively designed to commemorate this spectacular event.
The brand added yet another milestone to its history with launch of the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in April 2004 at Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. From the crafting processes to the brand's rich history, the centre offers visitors a multi-sensory experience of the fascinating world of pewter. As testament to its appeal, within a year of its opening the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre won the Best ASEAN New Tourist Attraction Award. More about the visitor centre can be found at visitorcentre.royalselangor.com
Royal Selangor has some 70 of its own shops in prime locations, especially in major shopping complexes.
Creative merchandising and in-store display, supported by excellent customer service, make shopping at Royal Selangor a wonderful experience. Besides these retail outlets, customers can also enjoy the convenience of shopping at www.royalselangor.com where hundreds of designs are available. This site was chosen as one of the winners of the prestigious CIO Awards in the year 2001, which recognises companies in Asia demonstrating the most effective use of technology in business. In addition to selling online, the site is an effective and efficient tool to promote the company brand name and also functions as a channel to obtain feedback directly from its customers.
Since 1970s, the company has diversified extending its business to the design, manufacture and marketing of precious jewellery and also 925 hallmarked sterling silver. Under the names of Selberan and Comyns, each individual company strives to create things of beauty, maintaining the tradition of excellence and innovation synonymous with Royal Selangor.A reputation for uncompromising quality, Selberan has a team of qualified gemologists, designers and craftspeople trained by European master jewellers. Renowned for its beautiful designs, Selberan has won more than 20 design accolades. In 1997 the brand won the International Pearl Design Contest and was also the Asia Pacific finalist for the Diamonds - International Award. In 2001, Selberan garnered the Industry Excellence Award for Innovative Product.
Founded in England, Comyns is one of the oldest and more prestigious manufacturing silversmiths in the world. It was acquired by Royal Selangor in 1993, together with its magnificent archive of over 35,000 drawings, patterns and moulds. Comyns continues to make objects of the finest quality for both the world's leading retailers and discerning individuals.
Innovation has always been a strong point for Royal Selangor. In 1996, Royal Selangor together with Victoria and Albert Museum of London, came up with a range of tableware inspired by 17th and 18th century pieces and in the following year, the award-winning William Morris wine accessories were introduced.
More recently Royal Selangor launched a brand new contemporary range by British Young Design Award winner Nick Munro. The launch took place around the world at the top international gift fairs in the United Kingdom, US, Canada and Australia.
The spirit of innovation extends beyond products. Catering to the increasingly sophisticated tastes of its customers, Royal Selangor brings a fresh and contemporary look to its outlets, starting with its flagship store at Suria KLCC. The store offers a chic and comfortable setting where customers can take their time to explore and rediscover pewter at its best.
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