Marie Biscuit Maker Lee Biscuits to Close Pontian Factory After 92 Years

Lee Biscuits, the 92-year-old maker of Marie biscuits, is set to stop production and close its factory in Pontian, Johor, by the end of October 2026, according to reports in Malaysian and Singaporean media this week.

The brand, also known as Nam Lee, is a familiar name in kitchens and coffee shops on both sides of the Causeway. Its products include Marie biscuits, saltine and soda crackers, banana puffs, lemon sandwich biscuits and iced gem biscuits.

Why the factory is closing

The New Straits Times reported that the closure is part of a restructuring by the parent group, which is said to be exiting snack manufacturing to consolidate its assets and focus on its core holdings, including rubber and palm oil.

Lianhe Zaobao, citing Oriental Daily, reported that the shutdown was not because the biscuit business was losing money but was based on the group's overall business planning, though no detailed reason had been given. It also reported that about 300 employees face retrenchment, and that the factory and assets are expected to be sold.

Key facts so far

• Timeline: production at the Pontian factory is due to stop by the end of October, and suppliers and customers began receiving notices about the halt in September.
• Workers: layoffs are reportedly under way. CNA, citing China Press, said about 300 employees would stay on until the end of the month, mainly on cleaning and related work at the premises.
• Stock: factory management told China Press it had held several warehouse clearance sales over two weeks and sold out its biscuit inventory.
• History: the brand was founded in Singapore in 1934 by businessman and philanthropist Lee Kong Chian, later moved production to Tampoi in Johor Bahru, and has been in Pontian since 2005.
• A pattern: it is the second Lee Group food facility in Johor to close in three years, after the Lee Pineapple cannery in Skudai shut in November 2023.

Pekan Nanas assemblyman Tan Eng Meng confirmed to China Press that he had received news of the closure. CNA and The Straits Times both noted that the company's website was no longer available.

The closure is part of a restructuring by the parent group, which is reportedly exiting snack manufacturing to focus on rubber and palm oil. (Summary of New Straits Times reporting)

What this means for Malaysian readers

For shoppers, expect familiar Lee products to slowly disappear from shelves once remaining stock is sold, and no new brand has been announced to replace them. For Johor, the bigger story is roughly 300 jobs and a local supply chain of packaging, ingredient and logistics suppliers who will lose a steady customer.

For SME owners, the closure is a reminder that a much-loved brand does not guarantee a future when the owners decide their capital is better used elsewhere. Suppliers that rely heavily on one large buyer should look at spreading their risk, and smaller local snack makers may find a chance to win shelf space and loyal customers who now need a new everyday biscuit.

Sources: New Straits Times, "After 92 years, Marie biscuits maker Lee Biscuits prepares to close a chapter", 22 October 2026; CNA, 23 October 2026; The Straits Times, 22 October 2026; and Lianhe Zaobao, 22 October 2026. Rewritten in our own words.