Outreach that goes a long way

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Brooklynz Stainless Steel sprang into action and gave out grocery packs to migrant workers.

To improve its outreach efforts, the firm even set up Brooklynz Community Support, a website and mobile app to support the workers' needs.

For Brooklynz owner Kabir Hossain, 41, social responsibility is important as it not only helps people in need, but also empowers employees by boosting their morale. The firm produces customised stainless steel products for construction projects.

The outreach efforts continued even after some of the Bangladeshi migrant workers returned to their home country. Brooklynz continued giving out essential items for the workers' families and neighbours in the cities of Pabna, Jessore and Cumilla, as well as Sherpur and Kishorganj districts.

"During the circuit breaker, we met a lot of migrant workers who assisted us to find more people in need of help. They became friends and kept in touch with us... That's how we started to send help to their families and friends back there," shares Mr Hossain.

Brooklynz even took the trouble to deliver the items directly to them. Mr Hossain says: "Most of them are older or too young, unable to travel back and forth due to health issues or distance. Our team goes to their homes to deliver. In this way, we ensure that the help reaches people who are in need."

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Brooklynz distributed more than 600 essential packs to about 400 families in Bangladesh. Beneficiaries included the elderly, the ill, students and single mothers.

For its efforts in helping migrant workers' families and neighbours, Brooklynz is an Honouree in the Brands for Good 2021/2022 awards, under the Business for Good category. This is the second year they are recognised in the same category by the non-profit organisation Brands for Good.

Mr Hossain believes Brooklynz's corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts attract like-minded employees who are keen to play a part in giving back to the community - a win-win situation for him.

Likewise, good CSR is also good business. He has built long-lasting relationships with clients who share his vision for social good.

"By doing social work, we became close to many of our clients. They also join us to contribute to doing good. When we have such a good relationship with clients personally, the business just comes along," he explains.

Tech for solutions, not just support

[scald=259041:article_inline_image]

Apart from Brooklynz Stainless Steel, chief executive Kabir Hossain also set up SG WAY Pte Ltd to focus on developing smart solutions. PHOTO: BROOKLYNZ STAINLESS STEEL

Apart from Brooklynz Stainless Steel, chief executive Kabir Hossain also set up SG WAY Pte Ltd to focus on developing smart solutions. PHOTO: BROOKLYNZ STAINLESS STEEL

[scald=259041:article_inline_image] Apart from Brooklynz Stainless Steel, chief executive Kabir Hossain also set up SG WAY Pte Ltd to focus on developing smart solutions. PHOTO: BROOKLYNZ STAINLESS STEEL

[scald=259041:article_inline_image]

Apart from Brooklynz Stainless Steel, chief executive Kabir Hossain also set up SG WAY Pte Ltd to focus on developing smart solutions. PHOTO: BROOKLYNZ STAINLESS STEEL

Apart from Brooklynz Stainless Steel, chief executive Kabir Hossain also set up SG WAY Pte Ltd to focus on developing smart solutions. PHOTO: BROOKLYNZ STAINLESS STEEL

Apart from Brooklynz Stainless Steel, chief executive Kabir Hossain also set up SG WAY Pte Ltd to focus on developing smart solutions. PHOTO: BROOKLYNZ STAINLESS STEEL

For Mr Hossain, a key enabler of CSR is technology.

Prior to developing Brooklynz Community Support, Mr Hossain set up a company in 2016 to focus on digitalisation and develop smart solutions that he initially used to cater to Brooklynz's needs. This year, he started offering these solutions to other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

He says: "For us, technology is not just a support function, that is why we set up SG WAY Pte Ltd as a separate company to have full focus on digitalisation to develop smart solutions."

Mr Hossain's interest in tech started back in secondary school, when he would repair his toys and small electronic appliances and even help fix electrical wiring. The father of two took a more serious interest when he worked on an enterprise planning resource solution for Brooklynz with a developer and he realised that information technology was more than just coding - it's about finding ways to solve problems.

So keen is Mr Hossain on learning more about smart tech that he is attending a three-year cybersecurity course at Trinity University Australia. In 2021, he completed an Internet of Things course at the Singapore Management University.

Mr Hossain hopes to focus on technology that can help people, especially vulnerable groups, such as sensor technology that helps the elderly and those with special needs switch on a fan or dim the lights without having to rely on someone else.

Brooklynz also plans to come up with smart roller shutter doors and smart home and office devices such as lights, fans, air-conditioners and water systems. Mr Hossain targets to start offering smart home products by the second quarter of 2022.

"Smart tech products give customers greater convenience, save energy and increase safety and security," says Mr Hossain.