About Our Founder

In the 1940s, a young Chinese migrant named Lee Chong-Ho was just 18 years old when he made his way from China to Kampar, Perak in Malaysia, then known as Malaya. He managed to land a job in a soy sauce factory which, unbeknownst to him, would set his life path to founding his own soy sauce business.

Thanks to his tenacity and hunger to learn, he quickly rose to the position of Chief Blender in the factory. But the theatre of World War II came to Malaya and the factory that he worked in was badly damaged. This proved to be a blessing in disguise as he decided to move to Bidor and opened up his own soy sauce factory named Bidor Kwong Heng.

Business during WWII was challenging. Back then, the process of making soy sauce and fermented black bean paste took months of brewing. In order to turn his business around, Lee came up with a new product – the yellow bean paste, which had a much shorter brewing and production period. Sales of the paste took off, and his business became viable.

During the British rule in the 1950s, rural Chinese populations were relocated to special enclaves known as “New Villages”. Bidor Kwong Heng was moved in the process and so, Lee decided to open a new factory that would cover its growing domestic business in neighbouring states.

Over the next 3 decades, Lee would regularly acquire high-tech processing equipment and upgrade the factory’s machinery and production capabilities. This would result in Bidor Kwong Heng becoming a household name among locals for sauces and condiments. Talks of global expansion were becoming more and more of a reality.

By then, Lee Chong-Ho was in his golden years. His sons Lee Kok Fatt and Lee Kok Tan became the company’s Executive Chairman and Executive Director respectively. They oversaw the company’s upgrade and global expansion in the 90s and in 2017, Bidor Kwong Heng became one of Heritage Foods Group’s master brands.

Today, Bidor Kwong Heng is a name synonymous with authentic, quality Asian sauces and condiments. Its products can be found not only throughout Malaysia but also across Asia, Europe, and even the U.S. Both of Lee’s sons still remain as Advisors to Heritage Foods Group, ensuring the spirit, culture, and traditions of Lee Chong-Ho are continued in every bottle and jar of sauce from Bidor Kwong Heng.