Malaysia Volume 12

18 | S U P E R B R A N D S V O L U M E X I I MARKET Apacs Sports was established in 2002 to promote and distribute high quality sporting equipment such as badminton, squash and tennis racquets; sportswear; footwear; and other accessories in the local and international market. Targeted toward beginners, and all the way through to professional athletes, the brand covers the full market spectrum from low to high-end. To date, the company has developed its wholesale distribution network across Malaysia, with over 700 sporting goods dealers and retail stores. It has also developed its wholesale distribution network over 50 countries including the Middle East, South Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Southeast Asia. Presently it is among the top three market share holders in Malaysia’s graphite badminton product segment. The company’s annual growth in turnover is estimated at 32%. ACHIEVEMENTS One of Apacs’ 2007 achievements was the recognition of its Aero-Flight 700 shuttlecock for international level play, by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), the global governing body for the sport of badminton. BWF delivers quality service, world class events, and innovative development initiatives that showcase the sport at the highest levels, while also increasing active participation worldwide. Aero-Flight 700 earned the same approval in each of the subsequent years from 2008 to 2013 and 2018 to 2019. This, together with another international level certi cate of recognition from 2010 to 2013 for badminton netting (BN-001), and in 2011 and 2012 for badminton 5.0mm (AP-204F) oor mats, further af rms Apacs’ excellence in product standards and quality assurance. Apacs Sports (M) Sdn. Bhd. won ‘Product Apacs Sports (M) Sdn. Bhd. won ‘Product Of The Year’ at the fourth Business Of The Year Award 2009, and was honoured as the Crystal Winner of the ‘2nd Global Award 2010’. Apacs was also awarded Quality Product at the International Standard Quality Awards (ISQ) in 2011 and 2012. The company has pioneered and introduced numerous innovations to help improve accuracy and power in a player’s game. Some of its first-in-the-market innovations include the ‘Hexagon Throat’ joint; the ‘Built- In Graphite T-throat’ joint; ‘Chrome Braided’ graphite; ‘Plated Jacquard’ graphite; ‘Scale Netting’ graphite; ‘Inner Taper’ Shafts; ‘Slimmest 6.0mm’ shafts; ‘Vacuum Intensive’ racquets; ‘Double Shaft’ racquets; ‘Arrow Tapered Fins Shaft’ racquets; dual-material processed grommets; the ultra-light 55g racquet with a 30lbs maximum tension strength (compared to other brands maximum tension strength of 25lbs); professional racquets with 45lbs maximum tension strength (compared to 35lbs offered by other brands); and the lowest shaft torsion tilt in the market at four degrees (compared to the six degrees found with other brands. In 2009, Apacs added yet another feather in its cap as the biggest rubber mat supplier in Malaysia, with a total of 120 varieties. HISTORY Anthony Lim and Jebbery Lim established Apacs in 2002 with the aim of promoting and distributing high quality sports equipment in the local and international marketplace. The dynamic duo created top quality products using the artful combination of technology and craftsmanship. PRODUCT Apacs Sports features a wide selection of badminton racquets created for different player levels. For example: Ziggler LHI Pro II, Blizzard Pro ZZ, Virtuoso Pro Robert Blair, Assailant Pro, Pro Commander, Slayer Pro, and Feeder Pro are best for professional players. Lethal 100, Slayer 99, Tweet 8000, Lethal 60, Lethal 70, Tantrum 500, Tantrum 200, Tantrum 300, and Virtuoso Performance are best for advance level players. Blend, Blizzard, Commander, Defender, Feather Weight, Ferocious, Fly Weight, Foray, Finapi, Lethal, Lurid Power, Power Concept, Slayer, Sensuous, Stardom, Stern, Super Series, Sizzle, Tantrum, Versus, Virtus and Virtuoso are among the many racquet categories offered within the brand. High quality tennis and squash racquets are also available. Apacs has developed a range of footwear to meet the different needs of athletes. For instance, PRO 771/PRO 772 is best for professional players. Professional players