Geckus Blogspot

Qubitwerks Pte Ltd was formed in the beginning of 2000, about the time Dot.com’s bubbles had burst. Four young individuals bursting with enthusiasm came together with a common goal. To venture into business by banding together our resources. Our humble beginnings started in a shop off Upper East Coast Road, of which design was the basis of our establishment. Our common interest in automotive blossomed our first clienteles all from that industry. Soon we were designing websites for the likes of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Hyundai and other pre-owned car dealers.

Designing websites were not our only expertise, as among us lies dormant, video, photography and 3D modelling skills. We soon branched out into a full bloom design house, with a small section dealing with IT services and application development.

In the middle of 2001, we were working on a few projects for Exklusive pte ltd then distributors of Renault and Volkwagan automobiles. We must have struck a cord because not so far off, we were acquired as a subsidary.

Our new roles in the organisation were to develop automotive dealership system for both Renault and Volkswagen, as well as a Czech brand called Skoda. Maintain and develop content for their online presence. We were also engaged to produce content, and offline marketing materials. In the leisure industry: we catered to applications that linked itself to golfing, and POS systems and Spa management system. These were for the groups Laguna country club, the Pines, Meadow Springs and Joodalup in Australia. Our other roles were to procure equipment as well as maintain about 500+ users, network support, servers and hardware.

As time passes, things began to reveal itself. Profits were not deseminated as bonuses, instead they are reabsorbed to cover other companies losses. Individual companies could be doing well alone but as a group we were in the red hence, we all had to work harder as a result. Some staff also went with no increment for years. No bonuses for even longer. When peers left the organisation, others were reassigned with more duties instead of replacement of workers.This was a common trend, if anyone did not like it they could leave.

This went on for days, days to months and months to years. Those that were tolerant stayed, those that weren’t left with a bitter after taste. There were times when employees got together to discuss their various woes. Stories of a security guard who once worked here, was contracted to work for a couple of years. It started tongues wagging when he suddenly collapsed suddenly one morning. I use to personally speak to him, he said he had to work many shifts and was stressed out because his boss did not pay him promptly.

Exklusiv Pte Ltd acquired quite a few companies, none of them seem to have a smooth end. Through the years we came to know a few, of which De2one, Autovox, BigAsiaGolf, the Next Golf Academy, and finally Qubitwerks.

In September 2006, Renault was sold to Wearnes for a hefty sum, soon after Volkswagen distributorship was removed. But before these unfortunate chain of events took place, some others were taking place within our own premises.

Close to a year prior, Qubitwerks was facing with major cashflow problems. Reasons for this was a very simple rational; our company provided a supporting role to Exklusiv Pte Ltd’s IT infrastructure hence majority of our head count were attributed to design, development as well as network support. Bluntly speaking, our income came almost entirely from the group, as we were not given the chance to expand beyond. Exklusiv group and companies owed amounts dated as far back as a year and beyond. And that was not the end of it. We were in a battle of attrition, when our sales team totally got cut down to zero. That was the end of any further external sales. Exklusiv’s payments were not clearing fast enough to pay even our salaries.
Very soon there came a time, when cheques for salaries could not be cleared, this was not due to the fact that we did not have money, but the fact that all income seem to only be recorded on paper. ;p At one point close to half a million. No doubt confidence of the staff started faultering. It was apparent that something has to be done soon and fast.

They say the captain should always go down with the ship, but not when everyone is on board. In a meeting with Peter Kwee and the managing director at that time, all matters were layed out. But it seems the only solution was to cease operation, and let Exklusiv Pte Ltd absorb all remaining staff on our payroll. This will give security back to our staff, and force the Exklusiv to pay at least the salaries of our staff. My personal promise to mr Kwee to aid with data migration for Renault and Volkswagen, before my own departure, in return the company would be returned to me once creditors were all reconsiled and shares returned to shareholders.

Close to 3 years have passed now, my first child is 2 years old and my second is 2 weeks. I have been paying rental, ultilities for total of 2 years. And am fighting a battle of survival. The end of this episode is still far at hand. Though the final amount is not a hefty sum, my occupation still stems from my origins.

Court tells Exklusiv Auto: PAY WHAT YOU OWE
http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20070523-8090.html

Former VW dealer seeks compensation
http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/Motorworld/Story/A1Story20081017-94393.html

For the love of cars and golf
http://motoring.asiaone.com/print/Motoring/Motorworld/Others/Story/A1Story20070609-13557.html

Peter Kwee-VW case in High Court
http://www.asiaone.com/print/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20090504-138982.html