Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of global manufacturing during an insightful field trip to EC Moulding, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of wood mouldings for picture framing.
The visit brought together students from the Operations Management and International Business courses, offering them a rare opportunity to witness how theoretical business concepts are applied in a real-world industrial setting.
Hosted by EC Moulding Director of Marketing Dr Calvin Chai — who is also a graduate of QIU’s Doctor in Business Administration (DBA) programme — the session provided students with first-hand exposure to the realities of operating a highly export-oriented manufacturing business in an increasingly complex global economy.
During the visit, students were briefed on the many moving parts involved in running a profitable operation, including costing, production efficiencies, manpower management, automation, machinery, and wastage reduction. They also gained valuable insight into the challenges currently facing international businesses, particularly those heavily dependent on exports.
EC Moulding, which derives approximately 99 per cent of its revenue from export markets, serves customers across multiple continents. While its products are sold directly to local frame shops in Malaysia, its international clientele largely consists of wholesalers and distributors supplying framers in their respective countries.
Students also learned about the company’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings as a single frame shop in Ipoh to becoming a highly vertically integrated manufacturer with around 350 employees. Today, EC Moulding produces approximately 20 million feet of moulding annually — equivalent to about 689 times the height of Mount Everest.
Dr Chai also shared candid insights into the global economic pressures affecting the company, including the strengthening of the Malaysian Ringgit, trade tariffs, geopolitical conflicts, and supply chain disruptions stemming from instability in the Middle East.
To remain competitive, the company is continuously reviewing its operations and pursuing strategies centred on cost-saving initiatives, operational excellence, customer expansion, and continuous improvement.
The students were able to observe how international business strategy and operations management must work hand in hand to ensure organisational resilience and long-term growth in today’s interconnected business landscape.
The field trip reflects QIU’s strong emphasis on experiential learning — a core pillar of the University’s educational philosophy. By engaging directly with industry leaders and real-world business operations, students are able to deepen their understanding of classroom theories while developing practical perspectives that prepare them to transition confidently into their future careers.
Through initiatives such as these, QIU continues to strengthen the connection between academic learning and industry practice, ensuring graduates are equipped with both the knowledge and practical insights needed to thrive in a competitive global workforce.
