Draw of the uniform

Lye: The landscape is competitive but fragmented. We have always set ourselves apart through innovation.

LAI Kam Hong was a proud member of the Boy Scouts Association, drawn its by values of discipline, service, and leadership.

His children followed in his footsteps, becoming scouts themselves and even joining the ranks of the military.

That is why at the company Lai founded in 1961 – uniform manufacturer and retail chain Outpost – co-curricular activities and uniformed organisations represent more than business.

They are a deeply-held passion spanning generations.

“We aim to align the company with our founder’s values,” says Colin Lye, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Outpost, which is registered as Camps & Apparels Corporation Sdn Bhd.

“These activities instill principles like teamwork, resilience, and life skills in young people, which is the main reason why we invest our resources into co-organising over 50 programmes annually with the Education Ministry (MoE), including national marching competitions, camps, and training courses that benefit tens of thousands of students and educators.”

In the last six decades, the company has grown from a small shop selling Scout accessories in Port Klang to over 30 outlets nationwide, supplying uniform apparel to students and uniformed bodies.

Today, the business also serves as a strategic partner to educational institutions and government bodies, with contracts and framework agreements anchored by long‑term supply and programme support.

It stands as the only school uniform retailer officially certified by the MoE, and formally recognised by the Royal Malaysian Police, Civil Defence Department Malaysia, Malaysian Prison Department, Red Crescent Malaysia, and St John Ambulance of Malaysia.

Beyond this, it has also expanded to bespoke uniform solutions, as well as producing custom apparel for corporate organisations and clubs.

However, the core business remains retail sales of uniforms, which make up around 65% of revenue, according to Lye.

He shares that a key growth catalyst for the company was the government education policy shift toward more holistic learning in schools in the late 2000s.

“For example, under the National Education Blueprint, all students aged nine to 17 were required to join a co-curricular uniformed body in school, driving up demand for uniforms and propelling our expansion,” he explains.

Customer convenience has been an essential focus in Outpost’s retail strategy.

For instance, alteration and badge sewing services are available on-site in its outlets, many of which are accessibly located in shopping malls.

To ensure wider reach, the business continues to operate its franchise programme model.

“Local partners are better able to engage with the community on the ground, and collaborate with the various stakeholders, agencies, and district and state departments,” Lye says.

“Franchising is still an integral part of our business, but we balance it with the growth of our corporate-owned outlets as well, so that we can maintain consistency in our brand and presence.”

While the uniform industry, particularly the school-wear segment, remains competitive, Outpost aims to capitalise on gaps in the market through specialisation and in-store service, relying on its decades of established expertise and reputation.

Its tailor-made uniform services, Lye says, acts as a key differentiator.

“The customised tailoring allows us to serve students who do not fit into conventional sizing categories.

“It also caters to professional bodies like the Armed Forces, the police, and the fire brigade, which place great importance on precise uniform fit and presentation,” he adds.

“This level of service would be difficult to replicate for eCommerce companies and suppliers from overseas.”

The growing number of students enrolling in schools each year has also been an encouraging sign for the business, as school uniforms and co-curricular apparel are currently its largest segments.

“Having recognition and support from the government bodies has also helped us stand out, especially among educators,” he says, adding that its end-to-end services, which address the real needs of students, parents, and schools, continue to give Outpost an edge.

Recently, the company has also diversified into manufacturing uniforms for international schools, an area in which the team sees increasing opportunity.

On the customised corporate apparel front, Lye notes that there is potential for growth as the number of manufacturers in Malaysia has declined due to cheaper competition from countries like China.

Moreover, fading interest in sewing and garment-production among younger generations, coupled with the loss of technical knowledge as skilled craftspeople retire, has left a supply void in the local market.

Against this backdrop, Outpost is confident that its bespoke services and physical touchpoints, supported by decades of accumulated industry know-how, will enable it to tap into emerging growth opportunities.

“The landscape is competitive but fragmented. We’ve been in this business for more than 60 years, and have always set ourselves apart through innovation,” he says.

The company is now committed to a two-pronged strategy of helping build up co-curricular development in national schools while enhancing its operational excellence through digital transformation.

Goals include raising the scope and number of its training programmes for teachers and students, and investing in technology such as AI-driven inventory forecasting and digital tools that will enhance service efficiency.

“We are looking to expand our retail outlets, along with production capacity and capabilities, adopting digitalisation and automation across all aspects of our operations, from manufacturing to the customer experience,” Lye says.