KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB) is using its One-Two-Boost (OTB) initiative to show that neurodiverse inclusion can function as a sustainable business model, rather than remain a standalone CSR effort.
The programme brings together hiring, training, production and retail into one operating model, where neurodiverse employees contribute directly to the development and sale of herbal wellness products, creating both social and economic value.
Since opening its physical retail outlet at Mid Valley Megamall in June 2025, OTB has expanded its public presence while giving greater visibility to both its neurodiverse workforce and its products. The outlet complements OTB’s production base, creating a clearer end-to-end model from training and product preparation to customer engagement and sales.
“Too often, inclusive hiring is framed around whether neurodiverse individuals can fit into existing workplace systems. The more important question is whether those systems can be adapted to accommodate different cognitive and physical abilities,” said Selangor Dredging Berhad group managing director Teh Lip Kim.
OTB’s hiring and training model is structured as a pipeline rather than a one-off intervention. Recruits undergo a guided two-month programme covering skills development, work etiquette and emotional regulation, with responsibilities introduced progressively within an actual production environment.
The programme is supported by five full-time, Social Welfare Department-certified Job Coaches, including a Senior Job Coach, who are fully funded by SDB and provide daily guidance and tailored support for each employee.
“At SDB, we view inclusion as a long-term corporate commitment rather than a discretionary effort. Continuity and stability matter. This is reflected not only in the support structures we put in place, but also in the fact that some of OTB’s neurodiverse employees have been with us for nearly 15 years,” said Teh.
A key feature of OTB is its integration into the economic value chain. In collaboration with Traditional Chinese Medicine physicians, the initiative produces herbal beverages, nourishment soups, balms and other wellness products that are sold directly to consumers.
OTB currently employs 13 neurodiverse individuals, comprising eight full-time and five part-time young adults, as part of SDB’s workforce of more than 220 employees. Full-time staff earn RM1,700 and above, receive equal employee benefits and are protected under Malaysian employment laws.
The Mid Valley outlet showcases more than 50 herbal-based products and also serves as a platform for public interaction, allowing neurodiverse employees to engage directly with customers while building confidence and practical skills.
“Inclusion cannot depend on goodwill alone. For social initiatives to endure, they must also be sustainable,” Teh said. “At OTB, training, work and supervision are embedded within a commercial enterprise where our neurodiverse employees contribute directly to both production and sales. That makes inclusive employment part of the business model itself.”
Designed to be scalable across SDB, OTB reflects a broader organisational approach anchored in inclusive employment principles and ESG priorities, offering a practical example of how businesses can build more inclusive workplaces while delivering long-term value.
