Big Caring Group Bhd is stepping up its use of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) across its supply chain as it prepares for a Main Market listing on Bursa Malaysia.
The retail pharmacy and healthcare group recently unveiled a new distribution centre in Klang, along with a centralised corporate headquarters. Strategically located near Port Klang, the facility is expected to strengthen logistics efficiency and support nationwide distribution.
The group had earlier filed its draft prospectus, with a significant portion of IPO proceeds earmarked to reduce its RM1.3 billion borrowings and fund an automated distribution centre.
Executive director Lim Sin Yin said the move towards automation was shaped by lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted weaknesses in traditional operating models during periods of volatile demand and supply chain disruptions.
The new facility integrates robotics, warehouse control systems, and inventory management into a unified ecosystem, improving coordination and operational visibility. This has led to a 76.5% boost in efficiency and 99.8% accuracy in operations.
Lim added that AI now plays a key role in demand forecasting and inventory planning, analysing real-time sales data to anticipate shifts and optimise stock levels. On the operational side, more than 160 robots and 700 racks support faster fulfilment and higher storage capacity, while reducing manual workload for staff.
The centralised headquarters complements the distribution centre by bringing teams together to improve collaboration and speed up decision-making.
Big Caring currently operates over 600 pharmacy outlets nationwide under brands such as BIG Pharmacy, CARiNG Pharmacy, Georgetown Pharmacy, Wellings, and Ting Pharmacy. It also connects with more than 5,000 healthcare partners, including hospitals and clinics, while processing over 90,000 order lines daily.
Founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife pharmacists Lee Meng Chuan and Lim, the group has expanded through organic growth and acquisitions, including RedCap Pharmacy, My Pharmacy, and CARiNG Pharmacy.
Under its planned IPO, Big Caring aims to offer up to 1.88 billion shares, with proceeds supporting expansion plans of 40 to 50 new outlets annually over the next three to five years. The new Klang facility will play a key role as its existing Bukit Raja centre approaches full capacity.
For the financial year ended June 30, 2025, the group recorded a net profit of RM143.02 million on revenue of RM3.41 billion, with same-store sales growth rising to 9.6% from 7.3% a year earlier.
