Gunung Kendil, MSME fostered by Rumah BUMN Rembang, Successfully Go Global at the Tong Tong Fair, The Netherlands
Rembang, September 8, 2022 – Gunung Kendil, the brand of the MSME fostered by the Rumah BUMN (RB) Rembang of PT Semen Gresik (PTSG) and owned by Hawien Wilopo, which produces ready-to-wear fashions made from hand-drawn batik, has been successfully recognized globally at the Tong Tong Fair in The Hague, The Netherlands, on September 1–11, 2022. in the oldest fair in the land known for its windmills, many of Gunung Kendil's fashionable clothes designed by Hawien Wilopo were sold.
"We are grateful that foreign visitors responded to our products positively. We consider the Tong Tong Fair an opportunity for Rembang's MSMEs to expand globally. It also proves that Indonesian products, especially from Rembang Regency, are comparable to other countries," said Hawien Wilopo, who is well known as Wien.
Wien explained that the name Gunung Kendil was derived from a hamlet in Leteh Village, Rembang Regency, which turned into an industrial area. "Gunung" (English: mountain) denotes enormous and tall objects, while "Kendil" refers to a pottery/earthenware container for various items such as vegetables that symbolize fortune.
"Kendil has a small hole and a huge room that can hold a lot of fortune. The philosophy is that the brand is expected to bring a lot of money that piles up like a mountain," he added.
He continued that this MSME was founded in 2010, developing from designing motifs to producing batik cloths in 2012. This MSME then began producing ready-to-wear fashions from hand-drawn batik in 2014.
With eight employees (with several tasks such as drawing, waxing, coloring, and tailoring the clothes), Wien achieved a turnover of IDR20 million/month or around IDR250 million/year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the turnover decreased to IDR150 million/year, according to the designer born in Rembang on June 24, 1969.
Fortunately, due to the support of the PTSG's Rumah BUMN Rembang, who is interested in the development of MSMEs, Wilopo's business experienced satisfactory progress. "RB is very helpful in terms of marketing. My products can be sold at an international exhibition and get loved by the wider community, including the state officials," stated Wien. He also mentioned that his works had been marketed several times abroad, such as in America, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Korea, and Malaysia.
What makes him proud is that his products, such as jackets, vests, and outers, are loved and purchased by the Special Staff of the Minister of SOEs, Arya Sinulingga, and even worn in various seminars and at the Tong Tong Fair.
Meanwhile, PTSG's Senior Manager of Communication and CSR Unit, Dharma Sunyata, asserted that Gunung Kendil was one of the five representatives of RB Rembang that were delegated to join the Tong Tong Fair. The other four representatives are Keriyes (snacks), Fallin (batik fashion), Okvisa Craft (fashion & craft eco print), and Akar Jawi (instant spice drinks).
"They were selected through a strict curation and based on their presentations at the Ministry of SOEs. The number of representatives from Rembang Regency proved that their unique products and products that prioritize local wisdom with eye-catching packaging could compete in the global market," said Sunyata in a press release on Thursday (8/9).
He continued that Lasem's hand-drawn batik of Gunung Kendal is unique for its design originality and Indonesian values. Besides, the products emphasize exclusivity.
Dharma asserted that Semen Gresik, through RB Rembang, will always assist MSMEs in increasing sales transactions.
"We will always support the development of MSMEs so that they can increase their sales, upgrade their class, and be recognized in their own country," he explained.
According to Sunyata, PTSG will intensely empower and educate the community. Today, the MSME business empowerment journey has focused on supporting MSME products to go modern, including improving product quality, packaging, branding, financial management, marketing management, and bookkeeping.
In addition, they are also expected to go digital through digitalization as well as business and marketing automation, go online through market expansion using e-commerce, and go global with a strategy to penetrate international markets. "Tong Tong Fair is the right event to attract international customers. Amazingly, the representatives of RB Rembang successfully took advantage of the opportunity," he concluded.
