GEORGE TOWN, Aug 8 — More than a century ago, Sheikh Muhammad Badjenid returned from Mecca carrying gifts for friends who had entrusted him with money before his pilgrimage.
Among the items he brought home were bottles of perfume, spices and textiles and these became the inspiration for a family business that has continued until today.
Established in 1917, SM Badjenid and Sons began as a general merchant in Lebuh Acheh before growing into one of Penang’s well-known perfume houses.
The business is now run by Sheikh Muhammad Badjenid Abdul Hamid, 33, the great-grandson of its founder who also carries the same name.
“My great-grandfather used to take batik and sarongs with him when he went to Mecca and his friends would give him money to perform prayers on their behalf,” he said.
“So, usually he would also bring back something as gifts for them because he felt bad receiving money from them. He would bring back textiles, spices and perfume.”
The fragrances proved popular, and as word spread with orders from friends and acquaintances, it prompted the elder Sheikh Muhammad to import them in larger quantities for sale in Penang.
“In the beginning, it wasn’t only perfume, he also imported textiles and other general merchandise,” he said.
However, the general trading business gradually developed a name for its perfumes and they started formulating their own fragrances using quality ingredients.
Over the following decades, each generation took on different responsibilities to keep the business going.
The founder’s son, Sheikh Hassan Badjenid, and his brother operated the business, expanding their customer base in the 1940s.
Sheikh Hassan was in charge of marketing and purchasing, often travelling for sales and purchasing ingredients, while his brother manned the shop.
However, the family suffered a tragedy during the Second World War when Sheikh Hassan’s brother was killed after the building he was in was bombed by Japanese forces.
Sheikh Hassan subsequently took charge of the shop and continued managing it until the next generation stepped in.
His son, Sheikh Abdul Hamid Badjenid, took over the family business in the 1970s, paving the way for its eventual transition to the fourth generation.
For many years, after shifting from its original shop in Lebuh Acheh, SM Badjenid and Sons was located at the corner of Beach Street and Chulia Street.
Today, Sheikh Muhammad manages the business with his father, Sheikh Abdul Hamid, in a new location a larger building along Chulia Street — while its previous location was sold off to a relative for other uses.
“We have over 400 types of fragrances, ranging from imported perfumes to blends that we formulated ourselves,” he said.
He said ingredients are sourced from countries including Thailand, India and Pakistan, while denatured ethanol is used as the base for its locally produced fragrances to ensure its halal-quality.
Each blend is carefully formulated before being left to mature, allowing the different notes to fully develop.
Sheikh Muhammad said creating a fragrance suited to the local market also required an understanding of Penang’s hot and humid climate, which can affect how a perfume smells and lasts on the skin.
“Among our bestsellers include the floral and fruity fragrances,” he said.
He added that the sales of some of their popular fragrance reached about 250 kilogrammes annually.
“We also export our perfumes to Thailand and Singapore weekly,” he said.
He said they also have demand from other overseas markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Japan.
“We also have customers in Europe, including Belgium, Austria and Hungary,” he added.
SM Badjenid and Sons was among 10 traditional trades featured in Penang Global Tourism’s traditional trades campaign this year, held in collaboration with Penang Heritage Trust.
The campaign was presented for the second time following its successful debut last year and was recently launched by state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
The other nine traditional trades featured are Ong Chin Chye the joss stick maker, Saik Wai Fong the kuih kapit maker, Jeruk Madu Pak Ali, San Kwan Loong Soy Sauce Factory, Lee Chee Cheng wood carver, Yeoh Siong Huat bedak sejuk maker, Teochew opera, Raju Murugesan the goldsmith and Kenny Loh the kebaya designer.
