A Legacy in Tin : From Family Firms to Craftsmanship

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15 Oct 2025

4 Min Read

Justin Yap (Contributor)
IN THIS ARTICLE

On 15 October, students from Taylor’s University (and also from family business backgrounds) joined a collaborative visit organised by Taylor’s Centre for Family Business (TCFB) and the university’s Career Services department to the iconic Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

 

The morning began with a guided tour of the Centre’s museum gallery, tracing Royal Selangor’s origins from its founding in 1885,  its history of multi-generational stewardship leading up to the company’s rise as a globally recognized pewter brand. Students got up close and personal with displays that connected Malaysia’s tin-mining heritage, the evolution of pewter craftsmanship and the enduring legacy of a fourth-generation family enterprise.

Firsthand Knocks

After the tour, the students moved into Royal Selangor’s “School of Hard Knocks” workshop, where under the guidance of skilled artisans they turned flat sheets of pewter into personalised pieces. Hammering, shaping and engraving, each student felt firsthand the patience, precision and creativity that underlies a family business sustained over time. One reflected, “I gained the knowledge of how other families preserve, take over and improve their family business to make it last for generations to come.” while another noted the value of learning “interesting info on how generations can manage the business.”

Insights to Ponder

Lunch gave the group time to share what had struck them most –  legacy, design, responsibility –  and to consider how their own family enterprises might draw on these lessons. As they returned to Taylor’s Lakeside Campus, they carried with them not just pewter souvenirs, but a strong signal of affirmation: the visit earned an NPS Score of +78, showing how deeply the experience resonated with them. It’s clear this blend of heritage, hands-on learning and meaningful reflection offers more than insight –  it inspires action.

Taylor’s Centre for Family Business continues to be Malaysia’s first centre of excellence dedicated to empowering family enterprises. We seek to advance family business management and preserve transgenerational legacies by blending global insights with local heritage. Our commitment is reflected in bespoke experiences, lifelong intergenerational learning, and curated networking opportunities that help family businesses thrive in today’s dynamic landscape.
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