Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2008 for Malaysia
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 winner for Malaysia was announced at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on 11 December 2008.
Dato’ A.K. Nathan, 53, Eversendai Corporation, Group Managing Director, was praised for having built a successful business from the ground up and has shown that it is possible for a Malaysian company to compete globally and deliver leading class products and services.
According to a statement from the judging panel: "Dato’ A.K. Nathan is very focused and determined. The passion that he brings to the company in terms of his leadership, his management skills, and how he visualizes the company’s future differentiated him from the rest of the candidates. The rate of how rapidly the company grew to leading class level is impressive."
The judges also praised Dato’ A.K. Nathan for his humility and for constantly imparting his experience and knowledge to his team.
Eversendai Corporation Sdn Bhd (Eversendai) founded by Dato’ A.K. Nathan in 1984, is a leader in the structural design, fabrication, erection of steel structures and the construction of coal fired power plants. Eversendai have been involved in the construction of iconic landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia, the Burj Al Arab hotel and the Burj Dubai – currently the world’s tallest building in Dubai. To date, Eversendai has executed some of the heaviest, some of the largest and some of the tallest structures in the world and has completed over 200 projects in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.
Having had to curtail his pre-university course due to financial difficulties, Dato’ Nathan started working as a print machine operator and later as an insurance agent. With no formal education in engineering, he has grown Eversendai from a one-man operation to a corporate entity with over 6,000 personnel through hard work, dedication, persistence and perseverance. His first foray into the construction sector was accidental, when he was given the opportunity to work on the Dayabumi project, an iconic structure in Malaysia. There he learned construction where techniques and the Japanese work culture which he has incorporated into his organization.
Dato’ Nathan has steered Eversendai into one of the largest steel contractors in the Middle East with fabrication plants in Dubai, Sharjah, Qatar and Malaysia. As recognition for Dato’ Nathan’s achievements, Eversendai has been awarded with numerous honors, including the 20th International Golden Construction Award (New Millennium Award) by Trade Leaders Club, the Malaysian SME Platinum Award 2008, Malaysian SME – Brand Laureate Best Brand Award 2008, and the Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Award 2008 - CEO of the Year, by Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia.
"Climbing the ladder to success has been extremely challenging and sometimes terrifying! Winning the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 award for Malaysia gives me immense satisfaction that I have reached the pinnacle of my achievements; and now it’s inspiring me to achieve much more. Words simply cannot describe my fulfillment." Dato’ A.K. Nathan Eversendai Corporation is an exceptional enterprise because of its robust growth, unique business model, and successful track record.
On 30 May 2009, Dato' A.K. Nathan will join the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year country winners from more than 50 countries around the world in Monte Carlo to be inducted into the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Academy and vie for the title of Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year.
By identifying and recognizing the achievements of outstanding entrepreneurs within successful, growing and dynamic businesses, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award aims to encourage entrepreneurial activity around the world and profile role models to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Read about another Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 country winner who will represent their nation at this year's World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.
