View source for Poh Heng Jewellery

[[File:Poh Heng Logo.jpg|thumb|''The Poh Heng Jewellery logo.'']]
Poh Heng Jewellery is a homegrown family business with its roots in 1940s Singapore. Alongside [[Lee Hwa Jewellery]], Poh Heng is one of Singapore’s most well-known jewellery brand names. Poh Heng is accredited by the Singapore Assay Office with a certification that its gold jewellery meets international purity standards.<ref>“Precious tips”. ''The Straits Times.'' May 9, 1993. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> In 2005, Poh Heng was the first jewellery brand to be conferred the Heritage Brand Award.<ref>Poh Heng. “About Us - Poh Heng Jewellery”. ''Poh Heng Jewellery.'' Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.pohheng.com.sg/about-us/</ref><ref>“Home-grown brands and their unique bond over the years”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 30, 2005. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> As of October 2019, Mdm Chng Hwee Siang is the Managing Director of the company since the passing of CEO Chng Seng Mok in 2015.<ref>Sek, Victoria. “Old Is Gold: How Family Biz Poh Heng Lasted Three Gens, Still Standing Strong After 70 Years.” ''Vulcan Post''. April 10, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://vulcanpost.com/660836/poh-heng-singapore/</ref> 

==Background==

===Origins===
[[File:Poh Heng first store.jpg|thumb|''The storefront of Poh Heng's first store at North Bridge road. Chng Tok Ngam is pictured third from right. Photo from Poh Heng.'']]
Poh Heng was founded by Chng Tok Ngam in 1948. Tok Ngam left China at 16 years old to apprentice at his uncle’s goldsmith shop in Singapore.<ref>Leng, Sunita Sue. “Gold standard.” ''The Edge Singapore.'' April 02, 2017. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/article/gold-standard</ref> In 1948, the 28-year-old Tok Ngam and his father-in-law Lim Tong Buan established Poh Heng Goldsmiths Ltd.<ref>Poh Heng. “About Us - Poh Heng Jewellery”. ''Poh Heng Jewellery.'' Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.pohheng.com.sg/about-us/</ref><ref>Tham, Pearlyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080802-1.2.35.3.3?ST New age]”. ''Today.'' August 02, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> “Poh” was Tok Ngam’s nickname and the word means “precious” in Mandarin.<ref>Chan, Rachel. “Trust is Poh Heng’s gold standard.” ''MyPaper.'' August 18, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from Factiva. </ref> In the Teochew dialect, “Heng” means “luck”.<ref>Poh Heng. “About Us - Poh Heng Jewellery”. ''Poh Heng Jewellery.'' Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.pohheng.com.sg/about-us/</ref> The first Poh Heng store was located at 691 North Bridge Road.<ref>Sek, Victoria. “Old Is Gold: How Family Biz Poh Heng Lasted Three Gens, Still Standing Strong After 70 Years.” ''Vulcan Post''. April 10, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://vulcanpost.com/660836/poh-heng-singapore/</ref> Tok Ngam suffered a stroke and passed away in 1984.
===Succession===
Chng Seng Mok, Tok Ngam’s eldest son<ref>Lwee, Melissa. “Gems of the family jewels.”''The Business Times.'' May 26, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> and a former national shooter,<ref>Seah, Lionel. “Ring me.” ''The Straits Times.'' July 24, 2005. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> took over the business after his father’s passing.<ref>Poh Heng. “About Us - Poh Heng Jewellery”. ''Poh Heng Jewellery.'' Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.pohheng.com.sg/about-us/</ref><ref>Lin, Wen Jian. “High shine, low frills.” ''The Straits Times.'' October 11, 2010. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Seng Mok joined the company in 1975 after completing his National Service.<ref>Lwee, Melissa. “Gems of the family jewels.”''The Business Times.'' May 26, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> He started as a shop assistant at 25 years old alongside his sisters Vicky, Seng Quee and Seng Kiat. Chng Seng Mok’s leadership ushered in a period of expansion for the brand - from a single jewellery shop to a sixteen-outlet jewellery chain.<ref>Chua, Siang Yee. “Former national shooter, Poh Heng managing director Chng Seng Mok dies of cancer”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 26, 2015. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/former-national-shooter-poh-heng-managing-director-chng-seng-mok-dies-of-cancer</ref> Seng Mok passed away in September 2015 from cancer.<ref>Tham, Pearlyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080802-1.2.35.3.3?ST New age]”. ''Today.'' August 02, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
===Third generation leadership===
[[File:Mdm Chng Hwee Siang and Pamela Seow.jpg|thumb|''Mdm Chng Hwee Siang (left) and her daughter, Pamela Seow. Photo from Women's Weekly.'']]
Chng Hwee Siang, Tok Ngam’s daughter, took over as the acting CEO upon the passing of Seng Mok.<ref>Leng, Sunita Sue. “Gold standard.” ''The Edge Singapore.'' April 02, 2017. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.theedgesingapore.com/article/gold-standard</ref> Hwee Siang has been working at Poh Heng since 1974 after a stint with the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board, the predecessor of the Singapore Tourism Board.<ref>Tham, Pearlyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080802-1.2.35.3.3?ST New age]”. ''Today.'' August 02, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

==Branding==
Poh Heng cites trust as the most important element in their branding.<ref>Seah, Lynn. “Go for a new look? Ha, we did that years ago.” ''The Straits Times.'' February 07, 1999. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> Known for their customer service, Poh Heng was one of the first jewellery retailers to offer bottled water to their customers. The bottled water bears the company’s logo. In 2005, they gave out an average of 850 bottles across 13 outlets per day.<ref>Tay, Suan Chiang. “Water, water, everywhere…”. ''The Straits Times.'' April 24, 2005. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

===Brand image overhaul (2001)===
[[File:Poh Heng logo old.jpg|thumb|''The old Poh Heng logo. Photo from NewspaperSG.'']]
In 2001, Poh Heng refreshed their largely conservative image with the launch of a new logo. The new logo minimally featured the Chinese characters for “Poh Heng” and the new tagline, “nothing is quite as precious as trust”.<ref>“New sparkle for Poh Heng.” ''The Straits Times.'' October 25, 2001. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The new logo did away with the weighing scale and replaced the previous tagline, “a tradition of trust and security”. As part of their brand image overhaul, Poh Heng sponsored the jewellery worn by Mediacorp artistes for the 2001 Star Awards.<ref>“New sparkle for Poh Heng.” ''The Straits Times.'' October 25, 2001. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref>


As consumers become increasingly demanding over the packaging of the products, Poh Heng replaced their obsolete plastic packages with classy-looking velvet boxes.<ref>Dana, Léo-Paul. “Singapore.” In ''Asian Models of Entrepreneurship: from the Indian Union and the Kingdom of Nepal to the Japanese Archipelago,'' edited by Léo-Paul Dana, 255-281. New Jersey, NY: World Scientific, 2007.</ref> At the time, the image overhaul was a way to attract customers below 35 years old. It was reported that 70% of Poh Heng’s customer base was above 35 years old.<ref>Seah, Lionel. “No stones unturned.” ''The Straits Times.'' November 1, 2001. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref>

===Advertising===
In 1990, it was reported that Poh Heng spent S$150,000 on a promotional campaign to advertise the opening of the new shops in Hougang and Parkway Parade.<ref>Chia, Helen. “Buy, buy, love”. ''The Straits Times.'' February 2, 1990. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> By 2005, Poh Heng’s advertising budget was reportedly a few million dollars a year.<ref>Seah, Lionel. “Ring me.” ''The Straits Times.'' July 24, 2005. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The brand has rarely used celebrity endorsement in its advertising, opting to use local models such as Sheila Sim to promote their products.<ref>Tham, Pearlyn. “[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20080802-1.2.35.3.3?ST New age]”. ''Today.'' August 02, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> In 2013, Poh Heng branched into getting bloggers such as Brad Lau to endorse the brand.<ref>“Bloggers & their endorsements.” ''The New Paper.'' June 16, 2013. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> 


In 2005, the brand rolled out an advertising campaign to market Poh Heng as a younger and upmarket brand. They chose ad spaces on the front page of ''The Straits Times'', sharing the space with other high-end brands such as Tiffany & Co and Cartier.<ref>Chan, Fiona. “Household brands keep up with the times”. ''The Straits Times.'' September 20, 2005. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>Chan, Rachel. “Bling, bling – there’s no need to shout.” ''MyPaper''. June 25, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> In 2018, Poh Heng rolled out a publicity campaign called "A Journey of Trust" that was received positively by the Singapore public.

==Store expansion==
[[File:Poh Heng store.jpg|thumb|''A Poh Heng storefront in Singapore.'']]
In the 1970s, Poh Heng expanded into town centres like Bedok, Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh.<ref>Lim, Yvonne. “S’pore’s gold towns”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 07, 1991. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> The first Poh Heng heartland outlet opened at Toa Payoh Central in 1978.<ref>Chan, Francis. “Sold on gold.” ''The Straits Times.'' September 10, 2008. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> This business expansion was fuelled by the lower rental prices and lesser competition with other jewellers in town centres.<ref>Lim, Yvonne. “S’pore’s gold towns”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 07, 1991. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> As reported in 2008, the move paid off well with the heartland sales contributing to a large share of Poh Heng’s revenue in 2008.<ref>Chan, Francis. “Sold on gold.” ''The Straits Times.'' September 10, 2008. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> As of October 2019, Poh Heng has 14 outlets across Singapore.

===Timeline===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Key Event(s)
!Refs.
|-
|1971
|
*Poh Heng set up its first outlet in a shopping mall at People's Park Complex. It is Poh Heng's flagship store.
|<ref>Poh Heng. “About Us - Poh Heng Jewellery”. ''Poh Heng Jewellery.'' Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.pohheng.com.sg/about-us/</ref>
|-
|1978
|
*Poh Heng opened its first Heartland outlet at Toa Payoh central.
|<ref>Chan, Francis. “Sold on gold.” ''The Straits Times.'' September 10, 2008. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|1984
|
*4 new Poh Heng retail outlets were opened - one of which was in Parkway Parade. The business was reportedly so brisk the company had to rent an adjacent shop for the next three weeks to cater to the crowds.
*Poh Heng bought a 120-square-metre unit at Golden Landmark Shopping Complex.
*In 1984, it was reported that Poh Heng had a stock worth of S$8 million.
|<ref>“New twist on gold.” ''The Straits Times.'' October 08, 2010. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>“Poh Heng Jewellery of Singapore is to invest S$11m in setting up 4 new retail outlets in 1984.” ''The Business Times.'' February 9, 1984. Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref><ref>“Poh Heng Jewellery of Singapore is to invest S$11m in setting up 4 new retail outlets in 1984.” ''The Business Times.'' February 9, 1984. Accessed September 27, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|}

==Product innovation==
In the 1940s, Poh Heng released a 24-karat golden toothpick and earpick set.<ref>“Gold digger on show.” ''The Straits Times.'' June 29, 1998. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> In the 50s, they produced dual-function jewellery such as scroll lockets which could be worn as a pendant to hold amulets and a solid gold pen which could conceal an ear pick.<ref>Sek, Victoria. “Old Is Gold: How Family Biz Poh Heng Lasted Three Gens, Still Standing Strong After 70 Years.” ''Vulcan Post''. April 10, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from: https://vulcanpost.com/660836/poh-heng-singapore/</ref> Since then, Poh Heng has released numerous collections that reach a wide consumer base.

===Singapore designs===
[[File:Poh Heng legacy collection.jpg|thumb|''The Legacy Floral Necklace (pictured). Photo from Poh Heng.'']]
[[File:Poh Heng Legacy earring.jpg|thumb|''The Poh Heng Legacy Floral Diamond Earrings. Photo from Poh Heng.'']]
Through the years, Poh Heng has produced Singapore-inspired jewellery collections.
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Collection
!Description
!Refs.
|-
|2019
|Legacy
|Each piece features diamonds set in 18k gold to form Peranakan motifs, such as the handcrafted ceramic flower tiles from Peranakan architecture.
|<ref>Lim, Jasmine. “Step up your style”. ''The New Paper.'' August 20, 2019. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/fashion/step-your-style-8</ref>
|-
|2015
|The Peranakan Ensemble
|A 13-piece commemorative jewellery series featuring the Phoenix motif.
|<ref>Jalal, Imran. “Heirloom Jewellery at Poh Heng Goes Peranakan for SG50”. ''Female Singapore.'' July 07, 2015. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.femalemag.com.sg/watches-and-jewellery/heirloom-jewellery-at-poh-heng-goes-peranakan-for-sg50/</ref>
|-
|2013
|Garden Sonnet
|A collection inspired by the native flora of Singapore. It consists of necklaces featuring motifs including orchids, kopsias, bougainvilleas and ferns.
|<ref>Lim, Leslie Kay. “Fash flash.” ''The Straits Times.'' September 06, 2013. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2008
|Trio bracelet
|The bracelet features interconnecting rings that represent the Olympic rings, the Formula One Grand Prix night race and the Singapore Flyer.
|<ref>“Sparkling showcase.” ''The Straits Times.'' August 15, 2008. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2006
|Cosmopolis diamond bangle
|The 18K white gold diamond bangle was inspired by the Singapore skyline at night.
|<ref>Tham, Pearlyn. “Shine on me, Singapore; Pearlyn Tham asks local jewellers for their take on the bling bling that best represents Singapore”. ''Today.'' August 05, 2006. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|}

===Youthful designs===
[[File:Poh Heng Disney Babies.jpg|thumb|''The pieces in Poh Heng Disney Babies' collection (pictured) was created with children in mind.'' ]]
Poh Heng has incorporated more youthful designs into their collection through the years. These designs integrate fine jewellery and well-known cartoon characters.
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Collection
!Refs.
|-
| rowspan="3" |2018
|Mickey & Minnie Stunning Silhouette
|<ref>Tatiana Mohamad Rosli. “Get ready for Mickey Mouse shopping mania”. ''The New Paper.'' October 16, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/shopping/get-ready-mickey-mouse-shopping-mania</ref>
|-
|Hello Kitty Pretty Bow
|<ref>“Fashion finds.” ''The New Paper.'' May 15, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|My Melody Limited Edition Pendant
|<ref>“New clothes and accessories for you.” ''The New Paper.'' January 09, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2017
|Singapura X Hello Kitty commemorative piece
| -
|-
|2016
|Disney Babies’ Bundle Of Joy
|<ref>Choy, Kenneth. “Style scoop ; The latest fashion must-haves for looking good.” ''Today.'' April 22, 2016. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.</ref>
|-
|2012
|Minnie Mouse Limited Edition
|<ref>“Short shorts”. ''Today.'' December 07, 2012. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2009
|Hello Kitty
|<ref name=":0">“FashFlash.” ''The Straits Times.'' May 08, 2009. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2005
|Tweety Bird and Hello Kitty
|<ref name=":0" />
|}

===Jewellery for men===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Collection
!Refs.
|-
|2017
|Father's Day Collection - six clean and elegant rings
|<ref>Choy, Kenneth. “Style scoop ; The latest fashion must-haves for looking good” ''Today.'' June 09, 2017. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.</ref>
|-
|2012
|Handsome and Dapper Collection - 18k white gold rings and cufflinks
|<ref>Zhang, Weifang. “Short shorts: Father’s Day Edition ; Latest digs around town”. June 15, 2012. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2004
|Baraka Collection
|<ref>Kerk, Corinne. “Style and substance”. ''The Business Times.'' November 26, 2004. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|}

===Seasonal designs===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Event
!Collection
!Refs.
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
|Valentine's Day
|Trust Diamond Ring
|<ref>Phang, Ruth. “Make your V-Day sparkle”. ''The New Paper.'' February 12, 2019. Accessed October 02, 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/fashion/put-sparkle-valentines-day-these-gems</ref>
|-
|Chinese New Year
|Joyful Pig 22K Gold Pendant
|<ref>“Go the whole hog with these CNY collections”. ''The New Paper.'' January 29, 2019. Accessed October 02, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/fashion/go-whole-hog-these-chinese-new-year-collections</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2018
|Mother's Day
|Embrace pendant
|<ref>Lim, Ry-anne. “Help mum sparkle on Mother's Day with new bling”. ''The New Paper.'' May 08, 2018. Accessed October 02, 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/fashion/help-mum-sparkle-mothers-day-new-bling</ref>
|-
|Valentine's Day
|Infinite Love
|<ref>“Jewellery gifts for Valentine's Day”. ''The New Paper.'' January 30, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2017
|Father's Day
|Father's Day Collection
|<ref>Choy, Kenneth. “Style scoop ; The latest fashion must-haves for looking good” ''Today.'' June 09, 2017. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.</ref>
|-
|2008
|Christmas
|Mistletoe Moments by ORO22
|<ref>Cheah, Ui-Hoon. “Christmas charms”. ''The Business Times.''  November 29, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|-
|2006
| rowspan="2" |Mother's Day
|“2Hearts” pendant and chain
|<ref>Lee, Hui Shan. “When two hearts beat as one.” ''Today.'' April 22, 2006. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref>
|-
|2004
|Embrace Forever
|<ref>“The gift of LOVE.” ''The Business Times.'' May 08, 2004. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
|}

==Notable collections==
===Si Dian Jin===
Si Dian Jin is the term used for traditional Teochew betrothal gifts. The products in this collection remain the most popular items sold by Poh Heng.<ref>Chan, Rachel. “Trust is Poh Heng’s gold standard.” ''MyPaper.'' August 18, 2008. Accessed 30 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.</ref> In 2010, the range underwent a revamp and the designs were updated to cater to the modern bride. There are now four sets of jewellery within the collection - Bohemian, Regal, Sophisticated and Ingenue.<ref>“Fash flash”. ''The Straits Times.'' August 22, 2010. Accessed 1 October 2019. Retrieved from NewsppaerSG.</ref>

===ORO22===
[[File:ORO22 collection.jpg|thumb|''Some pieces from the ORO22 collection. Photo from Buro 247.'']]
Launched in 2006, “ORO22” means 22k gold in Italian. The collection aimed to combine Poh Heng’s traditional lead in gold jewellery with modern and fashion-conscious designs.<ref>Lwee, Melissa. “Gems of the family jewels.”''The Business Times.'' May 26, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Poh Heng planned to use ORO22 to break the mindset that gold is matronly.<ref>Lwee, Melissa. “Gems of the family jewels.”''The Business Times.'' May 26, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> 


The ORO22 range features a distinctly dusty yellow tint of gold that the brand dubs the “moonlight glow”.<ref>“New twist on gold.” ''The Straits Times.'' October 08, 2010. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The designs include a ribbon-like necklace interlaced with white gold, a baroque cuff bracelet and a cord-like choker woven with several smaller strands of yellow gold threads.<ref>Tay, Michelle. “Yellow fever.” ''The Straits Times.'' October 19, 2006. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> In 2012, Poh Heng launched the ORO22 leather collection where 22k yellow gold pieces are paired with leather accents.<ref>"Ask Urban. ''The Straits Times.'' August 03, 2012. Accessed October 01, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref>

===itrustme===
itrustme is a range of diamond oriented jewellery that “expresses the independent spirit of Singaporean women today”. It is targeted at women who have the financial independence to buy their own jewellery.<ref>Lwee, Melissa. “Gems of the family jewels.”''The Business Times.'' May 26, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The design focus for the range is bold and dramatic. Hence, some pieces in the collection feature strong clean lines of solid white gold embellished with brilliant white diamonds.<ref>“Season’s sparklers.” ''The Business Times.'' November 24, 2006. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>
==Newsworthy incidents==
[[File:Poh Heng Journey of Trust.jpg|thumb|''Poh Heng's "A Journey of Trust" photo exhibition at Orchard Road. Photo from Deskgram.'']]

==="A Journey of Trust " photo exhibition (2018)===
In 2018, Poh Heng was praised by netizens for its inclusive photo exhibition called “A Journey of Trust”. Two of the images in the exhibition featured same-sex couples. The public exhibition was in conjunction with their 70th-anniversary celebration.<ref>Lo, Jun An. “Netizens Praise Local Jeweller Poh Heng's Photo Exhibition Featuring Gay Couples.” ''Must Share News''. July 12, 2018. Accessed October 02, 2019. Retrieved from: https://mustsharenews.com/poh-heng-gay-couples/</ref> The exhibition featured a mixture of local personalities and average Singaporeans with their loved ones. These images were displayed on billboards in Orchard Road and coincided with Pink Dot 2018.<ref>Farzanah Farveen. “70-Year-Old SG Brand Poh Heng Celebrates Same-Sex Couples on OOH Billboard.” ''Marketing Interactive.'' July 13, 2018. Accessed 2 October 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.marketing-interactive.com/70-year-old-local-brand-poh-heng-celebrates-same-sex-couples-on-ooh-billboard/</ref><ref>Lo, Jun An. “Netizens Praise Local Jeweller Poh Heng's Photo Exhibition Featuring Gay Couples.” ''Must Share News''. July 12, 2018. Accessed October 02, 2019. Retrieved from: https://mustsharenews.com/poh-heng-gay-couples/</ref>

===Reported theft cases (1999 & 2003)===
In 1999, eight diamond rings worth S$10,000 were stolen from Poh Heng Jewelley’s outlet at Parkway Parade. The rings were there when the store opened at 11.30 am. However, they were noticed to be missing at 6.10 pm.<ref>“Diamond rings found missing from shop.” ''The Straits Times.'' November 9, 1992. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>


In 2003, Or Long Minh, a Sales Executive at Poh Heng, admitted that he had stolen more than S$9,000 worth of jewellery from the Tampines Mall outlet. He reportedly stole three gold necklaces and a bracelet in March 2003. He was sentenced to a month in jail.<ref>“Salesman steals from jeweller.” ''The Straits Times.'' June 8, 2003. Accessed 30 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref>

===Reported fraud cases (1992 & 1993)===
In August 1993, two Austrians were charged for stealing credit cards from Poh Heng Jewellery’s outlet at North Canal Road.<ref>“Fake cards scam: six charged.” ''The Straits Times.'' August 5, 1993. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>


A year earlier, Sum Siew Wah, a restaurant supervisor, had used a stolen credit card to purchase jewellery at Poh Heng. Ms Ang Ai Boon had left her credit card behind at the restaurant. Sum Siew Wah reportedly used the credit card at Poh Heng Jewellery and Apollo Nite Club. He had pawned the gold chain and bracelet but kept the two rings which he gave to his wife’s sisters in Thailand. Sum Siew Wah was made to return the full amount of $4,902.80 to UOB Card Centre.<ref>“Bridegroom went on spree with stolen card.” ''The Straits Times.'' November 15, 1992. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

===Armed robberies (1990)===
On 2 February 1990, the Poh Heng Marine Parade outlet was robbed of 24 trays of gold jewellery.<ref>Hooi, Alexis. “Local soya sauce firm in superbrand club”. ''The Straits Times.'' April 29, 2005. Accessed 30 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> The robbers were a group of four armed hooded men. They opened fire on the security guards who went to investigate the commotion. The robbers smashed the showcases and removed the grilles with cutters before fleeing in a getaway car with their loot.<ref>“Shots fired during Parkway Parade goldsmith robbery”. ''The Straits Times.'' February 2, 1990. Accessed 30 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>


Through cooperation with Johor CID’s Serious Crimes division, three of the robbers were arrested on 26 March 1990.<ref>“Goldsmith heist suspects arrested”. ''The Straits Times.'' March 26, 1990. Accessed 30 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. </ref> Low Boon Tiong, a 38-year-old man, was arrested at 5.50 am at Woodlands Checkpoint. After the interrogations, Low revealed that his accomplices were hiding in a rented semi-detached house in Johor Bahru. Ong Leng Chye, a 27-year-old man, was arrested at the house at Johor Bahru. A raid of the premises revealed a .45 Colt automatic pistol, 240 rounds of ammunition, $28,000 and about 2.5 kg of gold ornaments and jewellery. Meanwhile, Tan Soon Ai, a 29-year old man, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint at 11.30 am. Tan led the police to a flat in Bukit Batok where the police seized two hand grenades, two pistols and two revolvers.<ref>“Goldsmith heist suspects arrested”. ''The Straits Times.'' March 26, 1990. Accessed 30 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>


In June 1993, the three men were sentenced to life imprisonment. Their sentence was reduced from the mandatory death penalty as the High Court doubted that the shot fired in the direction of the security guard was intended to injure him. They were also given 12 strokes of the cane each.<ref>“Three armed robbers escape death penalty”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 08, 1993. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref> Meanwhile, Tay Yang Hock, the fourth man in the robbery, was never caught.<ref>“Singapore's 10 most wanted men.” ''The Straits Times.'' June 16, 1993. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>


Poh Heng Jewellery was robbed again on 10 May 1990 by four men in ski-masks, this time at the Block 210 Hougang Street 21 outlet. They were reportedly armed with revolvers and sledgehammers. The robbers smashed the store's display panels to access the jewellery.<ref>“Gunmen with ski masks rob goldsmith shop”. ''The Straits Times.'' May 10, 1990. Accessed September 30, 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.</ref>

==References / Citations==
[[Category:Singapore Brands]]
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