History
See the man on the right? That's the beloved founding father of OUTPOST Uniform:
Lai Kam Hong - the first Ultimate Uniform Fan.
He's been known to us - and to many, whose lives he's touched over the past decades - by many names: as the Ultimate Sports Man; the Business Man; the Great Outdoors Man; the Handsome Man; the Uniform Man; the Sharp-as-an-Eagle Man; the Disciplined Man; the Kids-love-Him Man; and - finally - the Passionate Man.
Why the Passionate Man, you may ask?
This is his story
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The Passionate Man!
Passion!
That's the main ingredient for any successful venture - and Mr Lai had shiploads of it.
During the 1960's - when Elvis was singing, Martin Luther King made his historical freedom speech, and the Vietnam War was on its way - this young man started a uniform shop, tucked away in the hustle and bustle of a busy town known as Klang.
Mr Lai started the business as a uniform shop for scouts, selling basic camping equipment as well. Happily, he was able to meet the requirements of the local Scouts and Girl Guides - not surprising, since he was Sharp-as-an-Eagle Man.
'The Customer is Always Right' shop
His success in always being able to suit the customer's needs was because of his classic mantra above - which the staff at OUTPOST have had drummed into their heads since the start, and for always (trust us on this!).
Igniting a new flame,
by passing the torch
On one hot afternoon, under a shady banana tree, Mr Lai spoke to his son Richard Lye - a monumental occasion, as anyone who knew Mr Lai would attest to (he could probably have another title - the Seldom-Speaking-but-Always-Meaningful Man - but that is another story).
Mr Lai said, "Son, it's time you earned your rice bowl - you start work tomorrow." And when Richard pointed out his age, Mr Lai said, "Yes, I know you're only 12 - but it is better to start earlier rather than later." And that was how the business was later passed down to family members - a period of time fondly remembered by the Lye family as "The Age of Reckoning".
Richard, in turn, eventually had a son of his own, Colin, whom he also got to continue the business that Colin's grandfather started - continuing the great old man's legacy, and ensuring that Malaysians still benefit from the vision of the man from Klang.
As with all great legends, Mr Lai left behind a legacy that had one aim: to see the day when any child wearing an OUTPOST uniform will feel proud, smart and confident! It's a goal that is likely to be achieved and sustained - because every OUTPOST uniform comes with 59 years worth of passion (and counting).
We hope you enjoyed our story as much as our uniforms -
because we sure enjoyed making them for you!
- The OUTPOST Team -
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