KUALA LUMPUR: Popular snack brand Mamee founder Datuk Pang Chin Hin has passed away at age 96.
Pang, who was executive chairman of Mamee-Double Decker (M) Sdn Bhd, died on Saturday at 6.03 am, according to reports.
Pang began his journey in the food manufacturing business in 1971 when he started Pacific Food Products with his partner, based in Melaka.
The company had its first product, Lucky Instant Noodles and Vermicelli, in 1972 but it did not launch to success.
It then introduced an instant noodle snack in 1974 dubbed as Mamee Monster after his son Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew was inspired by rubber tappers who snacked on uncooked instant noodles.
Pang then expanded further into the snack business and introduced Double Decker's crackers in 1980 and Mister Potato snacks in 1992.
The company was renamed to Mamee-Double Decker and was listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange's main board on March 18, 1992.
It was then taken private by the family in 2012.
Under Pang's helm as the founder, the company included more items into its offerings including cultured milk and yogurt drink, Nutrigen and instant noodle known as Mamee Chef.
Mamee-Double Decker had received various awards including the Frost & Sullivan for Best-Home Grown Packages Food Company and the Putra Brand Award under the Foodstuff Category where Mamee Chef was listed as the Top 10 best instant noodles in the world
His son, Tee Chew, is the chief executive officer and managing director of the homegrown snack empire while Datuk Seri Pang Tee Nam currently sits on the board as chief operating officer.
His grandson Pierre Pang serves as the group executive director.