Balancing Craft And Technology At Royal Selangor

By Norhidayyu Zainal

IPOH, Nov 5 (Bernama) — Behind the gleaming Royal Selangor pewter that has become a symbol of luxury and fine craftsmanship for the nation, the brand’s excellence continues to be rooted in the tradition of handcrafting — a heritage that has remained the heartbeat of its identity for over a century.

Committed to principles of authenticity and the highest quality, the company — renowned for its range of home decor items and souvenirs — chooses to uphold manual craftsmanship, even as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly dominate the manufacturing industry.

For this 140-year-old company, technology may speed up processes, but the true value of a craft piece can only be born from the skill, precision, and human soul that breathes life into every curve of its pewter art.

Guided by this principle, its Managing Director Datuk Yong Yoon Li said Royal Selangor remains open to technological advancements, but applies them wisely to enhance the design process without compromising the artistic value of human craftsmanship.

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“Technology helps us produce designs faster and makes them easier to visualise, but the human touch is still essential to infuse soul and beauty into every piece,” he added.  -- MORE

"Carving has its own ‘language’ that cannot be replicated by machines or AI. That is why the balance between technology and human skill is crucial in preserving artistic value in every design,” he told Bernama during the recent 'A Journey Across Time,  Heritage and Artistry' programme.

With around 150 highly skilled local craftsmen, Yong said every new operator hired must undergo basic training at the Kaizen Training School in the capital for three months before being placed in the production department under the supervision of experienced instructors from among existing staff.

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“They are all Malaysians, and many of them start right after finishing secondary school. They undergo two to three months of training as apprentices before becoming specialists in their respective fields, such as machining, polishing and soldering.

“Usually, it takes six to eight months to master the basics, but to truly become skilled, it takes about two years,” he said, adding that the company’s current challenge is to ensure the continuity of pewter craftsmen across generations to preserve the craft.

He said that every year, Royal Selangor continues to seek new creative talents who have the potential to adapt the craftsmanship to current tastes and modern technology, but only a few are willing to pursue a field that demands perseverance, patience and strong commitment. 

Yong stressed that Royal Selangor is doubling down on efforts to captivate younger consumers, rolling out modern, pop-culture-inspired collections featuring limited-edition Star Wars, Marvel and zodiac designs.

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Through the programme, Royal Selangor also launched 12 new collections for the Autumn/Winter 2025 season, featuring a blend of local heritage, modern design and international inspirations, including Silk Road, which celebrates the beauty of heritage as a symbol of cultural exchange between the East and West.

“We are inspired by the resilience of ancient Chinese traders who travelled from the Dunhuang desert to Florence and Milan more than 2,000 years ago. That spirit and perseverance reflect the same values we bring into every pewter creation,” he said.

Other collections include Keepsakes, 2026 Years of the Horse, Malaysiana II, Warisan II, Savoy II, Sculptura III, Woodland IV, as well as special-edition Melon Teapots and licensed Spiderman and Superman collections in collaboration with renowned comic artist Jim Lee.

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Yong added that Royal Selangor will also be opening an 8,000-square-foot tourism gallery at the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Dataran Merdeka ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026), which will house exhibition spaces, a cafe and an interactive workshop to allow visitors to experience pewter crafting.

“We want to make pewter part of the urban tourism experience, and the gallery is expected to open in January 2026,” he said, adding that Royal Selangor has now expanded into overseas markets including China, Singapore, Indonesia and the United Kingdom, and will soon enter the Vietnamese market.

-- BERNAMA