Khong Guan Biscuits

From Wiki.sg
Revision as of 16:40, 26 September 2019 by Dayana Rizal (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Assorted biscuits in a tin manufactured by Khong Guan.

Khong Guan is a multinational business specializing in biscuit manufacture. With its roots in Singapore, the company was founded 1947 by Chew Choo Keng and Chew Choo Han.[1][2] In 2015, it was reported that the Khong Guan brand ships to more than 40 countries worldwide.[3] As of September 2019, Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd holds a 20.4% retail share in the sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks Singapore market.[4]

Founders

The founders of Khong Guan biscuits. Photo from Khong Guan's website.

Khong Guan was founded by two brothers, Chew Choo Keng (d. 11 July 2001) and Chew Choo Han (d. 18 November 2008). Chew Choo Keng was the Chairman of the company, helming areas of business development. Meanwhile, Chew Choo Han was the Managing Director, taking charge of all operational matters.

Early beginnings at Khiam Aik Biscuit Factory

In 1937, Chew Choo Keng and Chew Choo Han left their village in Fujian, China for Singapore in search of jobs to better provide for their family. The two brothers found work at the Khiam Aik biscuit factory located at Beo Lane, Bukit Ho Swee (now known as Havelock Road).[5] The biscuit factory was owned by business tycoon, Tan Kah Kee.[6][7]


Chew Choo Keng’s diligence allowed him to climb the ranks and gather knowledge about biscuit making. His earnest work ethic caught the attention of Tan Kah Kee who took him under his wing. Under Tan Kah Kee’s influence, Chew Choo Keng (朱子敬) who was formerly known as Chew Zhu Keng (朱周敬), replaced the Chinese character Zhu (周) to Choo (子) which represented Confucian values.[8]


Due to labour unrest at the biscuit factory, Chew Choo Keng was caught between the interests of his boss and his fellow workers. He resigned in 1938 and headed to Ipoh, Malaya (now known as Malaysia) where he was given work by his former boss, Tan Kah Kee. There, he worked as a cashier in a rubber firm under the Ghee Seng company.[9][10]

Khong Leng Biscuit Factory

After his stint at Tan Kah Kee’s rubber firm, Chew Choo Keng met up with a former schoolmate, Chan Beng Tee, who suggested the idea to start a biscuit factory. Initially financed by Chan’s uncle with a sum of S$3,000, the company was set up as Khong Leng biscuit company. It had 40 employees, all of whom were old schoolmates of Chew Choo Keng.[11][12]

Business during the Japanese occupation

The brothers were forced to leave Khong Leng biscuit factory in 1941 and sought refuge in Telok Anson, Perak (presently known as Teluk Intan). There, they made biscuits by hand. The brothers later moved in with Chew Choo Keng’s in-laws. With their help in raising initial capital, the brothers started a soap business. They experimented with using ashes as an ingredient. The pair was also involved in numerous ventures including the production of coconut oil, charcoal and rubber.[13][14][15] The brothers moved back to Singapore after the Japanese troops surrendered.[16]

Background

The Khong Guan logo as designed by co-founder, Chew Choo Keng.
An old advertisement for Khong Guan biscuits. Photo credit to Valda Jean Thompson.

In 1947, Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Limited was set up with an initial capital of S$60,000. Its first factory premises was at 18 Howard Road.[17] The factory occupied an area of approximately 50,000 sq ft.[18] Operations initially relied on the manual labour of the two brothers. By re-purposing discarded biscuit-making machines which were being sold as scrap, the pair created a semi-automated conveyor system. They used bicycle chains to transport biscuits to the ovens for baking.[19][20]


Over the years, Khong Guan has accumulated over 60 subsidiaries that provide supporting functions.[21] These include the production and distribution of various products from baking ingredients to oatmeal products. Khong Guan Limited holds the subsidiary, Federal Oats Mills Sdn Bhd, which produces products of the brand, Captain Oats.[22][23] As of 2019, Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd is a member of the following associations: Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation.[24][25][26]

Khong Guan’s logo was designed by Chew Choo Keng. The trademark was first intended for their soap business during the Japanese Occupation. Modifying the logo to suit the biscuit factory, Chew Choo Keng added wheat straws around a ship’s steering wheel. The steering wheel represents a steadfast business direction.[27]

Products

Khong Guan provides a large assortment of biscuit products ranging from crackers to wafers. The business offers flexibility in purchase quantity — from single biscuit packs, assorted packs and bulk purchases in tins. Part of Khong Guan’s classic products include the Marie and Sultana Biscuits, Cream Crackers and Lemon Puffs.[28]

Factory tours

Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) industry partner with Science Centre Singapore.[29] As part of the Industrial Partnership Programme, the company organises tours at its Boon Lay factory. These tours are open to educational institutions under Singapore’s Ministry Of Education (MOE). Participants of the tour are introduced to the start-to-end production process of biscuit making.[30] The factory is opened to local government agencies and occasionally to the public as well.[31][32]

Business growth

By the 1950s, the two had expanded the business overseas.[33] They set up factories in Malaysia and nearby Southeast Asia. The company’s engineering arm built customized production lines. With vigorous marketing and expansion strategies, Khong Guan biscuit products started appearing in the supermarkets of countries such as the Middle East, Europe, Japan and the United States.[34]

Timeline

An early design edition of Khong Guan's biscuit tin. Photo from Roots.sg.
A 1950s edition of Khong Guan's biscuit tin. Photo from Roots.sg.
Year Key Event(s)
1947
  • Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd was first founded
  • Established first factory at 18 Howard Road, Singapore
1950s[35][36][37]
  • Established 2 factories in Singapore and 3 factories in West Malaysia (Seremban, Kota Bharu and Butterworth)
  • Total of 1,200 factory workers with 50,000 tins of biscuits produced daily
  • Exported to Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Middle East, South Vietnam, Africa and New Guinea
  • Diversified investments into vegetable oil manufacture, shipping logistics and commodities trading 
1960s[38][39]
  • Established factories in East Malaysia (Kuching, Sabah), Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Bought over Golden Eagle Biscuit Factory
  • Established the United Flour Mill in Butterworth, Penang
  • Established an oat mill. Production of oats under the ‘Captain’ and ‘Quaker Oats’ brand
  • Established Khong Guan Milling Private Ltd (now known as Khong Guan Limited) at Tanjong Rhu with a capital of S$5 million.[40][41] Khong Guan Milling Private Ltd was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange on 12 March 1969.[42]
  • Diversified into tin-mining under Poh Guan Tin-Mine Company Ltd
  • Established a joint venture company called ‘Nissin Biscuit and Confectionery’ with the Japanese firms, Nissin Confectionery and Toyo Menka Kaisha (a trading firm).[43]
  • Incorporated Khong Guan Holdings Malaysia in November 1969[44]
1970s
  • Constructed an S$1.2 million single-storey factory in Boon Lay, Singapore that occupied 100,000 sq ft of floor space[45][46]
  • The factory at 18 Howard Road increased its daily production capacity from 15 tons to 75 tons, deploying 1,000 workers in three rotating shifts[47]
  • Formed a joint venture with Arnott’s Biscuits Australia on 19 December 1974. Khong Guan had access to Arnott’s recipe, formulae and production methods and the right to distribute Arnott’s products in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.[48][49]
1980s
  • Expanded biscuit production in the Shekou industrial zone of Guangdong, China[50]
  • Amassed over 60 subsidiaries in Southeast Asia with three core companies — Khong Guan Holdings Malaysia, Khong Guan Flour Milling and United Malayan Flour Mills[51]
  • Entered the United States in 1982[52]
  • Rebranded biscuit products and design packaging in the USA and Japan under the names ‘Miss Kate’ and ‘ハンディパック‘ (read as ‘Handy Pack’) respectively. Granted S$450,000 from the Design Ventures Programme run by the Trade Development Board.[53][54]
  • Rebranding efforts in the USA saw an increase in sales to $500,000 in 1986, 100% more than that of 1985[55]
  • Formed the food consortium with Woh Hup Noodle House, Effort Holdings, Tai Sun and Trade Development Board to promote product sales in Japan[56]
  • Shifted flour milling operations to Malaysia and China due to unprofitable operating results. Flour mill in Singapore converted into a real estate project (now known as Casuarina Cove).[57][58][59][60]
1990s
  • Established factories in Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Zhengzhou[61][62]
  • Named second most popular biscuit brand in China with a 7 per cent share in the market[63]
  • Invested in cocoa bean processing with a 45 per cent stake in Shanghai Daying Cocoa product[64]
  • Sold controlling shares of Khong Guan Holdings Malaysia to Tan Sri Lim Geok Chan[65]
  • Awarded the Plaque of Commendation at NTUC's traditional eve of May Dinner[66]
2000s
  • Reported sales of S$67 million worth of products in China[67]
  • Passing of co-founder, Chew Choo Keng (d. 11 July 2001)[68]
  • Passing of co-founder, Chew Choo Han (d. 18 November 2008)[69][70]
  • Khong Guan brand products sold across 40 over countries including the Middle East, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Europe, Canada, Philippines and the United States[71][72][73]

Newsworthy incidents

The renovated Khong Ghuan Factory at 18 Howard Road. Photo credit to Darren Soh, META Architecture.

18 Howard Road factory conservation (2005 & 2018)

On 27 December 2005, the Khong Guan factory at 18 Howard Road was given conservation status by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore. The building was first constructed by Chung Swee Poey & Sons.[74][75]

In 2016, Lian Beng construction group acquired Khong Guan Industrial Building for S$31 million through Smooth Venture, a wholly-owned subsidiary. Under the group, the building was renovated to revive a sense of nostalgia associated with the Khong Guan brand. In 2018, the building was given the ‘Award for Restoration and Innovation’ as part of the 2018 URA Architectural Heritage Awards.[76][77][78][79]

Melamine-tainted milk scare (2008)

Due to the discovery of Melamine-tainted milk that had affected babies in China in 2008, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) began testing products from Khong Guan. It was determined that the biscuits manufactured in Singapore were free of melamine contamination. However, the biscuits were recalled in Malaysia. It was announced that the biscuits contained excess melamine. Upon importing the biscuits, AVA conducted an additional test that revealed the biscuits to be safe for consumption.[80][81][82]

Kidnapping attempt on Chew Choo Han (1961)

The event took place on the night of 23 March 1961 at MacPherson Road, ad-joining Woodsville Circus. After leaving a food stall with his wife, Chew Choo Han was ambushed by a group of men while attempting to enter his car. The men threatened Chew Choo Han to follow them into their car but he had refused and struggled. Chew Choo Han was stabbed twice, once in his chest and once in his back. After which he was shot at close range in the back with an automatic pistol.[83][84]


The kidnappers then got into their car and drove off. Chew Choo Han attempted to stop the assailants by hurling a knife which shattered the getaway car’s windscreen. Due to massive blood loss, he then collapsed on the five-foot-way. He was later brought to the Singapore General Hospital where he survived the assault. The shooter was later identified as Goh Chiang Hong. He was sentenced to death on 15 August in the same year.[85][86]

References / Citations

  1. “History”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.khongguan.com.sg/aboutus.php
  2. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 13)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 2, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  3. “Khong Guan biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd in Packaged Food (Singapore)”. Market research provider, Euromonitor International. December 14, 2015. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  4. “Sweet Biscuits, Snack Bars and Fruit Snacks in Singapore”. Market research provider, Euromonitor International. August, 2019. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.portal.euromonitor.com
  5. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 10)”. National Archives of Singapore. October 26, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  6. Hunt, Alison. “5 Things You Should know About Khong Guan”. The Motley Fool Singapore. November 25, 2013. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.fool.sg/2013/11/25/5-things-you-should-know-about-khong-guan/
  7. “History”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.khongguan.com.sg/aboutus.php  
  8. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 7)”. National Archives of Singapore. September 28, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  9. Hunt, Alison. “5 Things You Should know About Khong Guan”. The Motley Fool Singapore. November 25, 2013. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.fool.sg/2013/11/25/5-things-you-should-know-about-khong-guan/
  10. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 8)”. National Archives of Singapore. October 5, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  11. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 8)”. National Archives of Singapore. October 5, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  12. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 10)”. National Archives of Singapore. October 26, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  13. Hunt, Alison. “5 Things You Should know About Khong Guan”. The Motley Fool Singapore. November 25, 2013. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.fool.sg/2013/11/25/5-things-you-should-know-about-khong-guan/  
  14. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 11)”. National Archives of Singapore. October 26, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  15. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 12)”. National Archives of Singapore. October 26, 1980. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  16. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 13)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 2, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  17. Teo, Pau Lin. "The Cookie Master.". The Straits Times. July 15, 2001. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  18. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 13)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 2, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  19. “History”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from:  http://www.khongguan.com.sg/aboutus.php  
  20. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 13)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 2, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  21. Jarhom, Najeeb. “Strong profits at Khong Guan”. The Straits Times. June 25, 1981. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  22. Tan, Lorna. “Taking Stock of Stocks; Breaking out of the cookie cutter mould… to flourish”. The Straits Times. June 16, 2019. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  23. “Out Businesses | Khong Guan Limited”. Khong Guan Limited. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.khongguanlimited.com/our-businesses/
  24. “Member’s Profile Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (S) Pte Ltd”. Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.sfma.org.sg/member/info/khong-guan-biscuit-factory-s-pte-ltd
  25. “Corporate Members”. Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.sccci.org.sg/en/directory/corporate/members/426?p_ind
  26. “Members Directory”. Singapore Manufacturing Federation. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.smfederation.org.sg/index.php/membership/members-directory
  27. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 16)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 16, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  28. “All Time Favourites”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from:  http://www.khongguan.com.sg/products/ourProducts.php?c=11
  29. "Our Partners". Science Centre Singapore. Accessed on 26 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.science.edu.sg/stem-inc/industrial-partnership-programme/our-partners
  30. Chue, Justin.“The Science & Tech behind Khong Guan’s Biscuits”. Science Centre Singapore. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.science.edu.sg/stem-inc/news/the-science-tech-behind-khong-guans-biscuits
  31. “Our Partners”. Science Centre Singapore. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from “Khong Guan Factory Tour”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.khongguan.com.sg/factory-tour.php
  32. Ng, Sarah. “Food factory tours are big hit in heartland”. The Straits Times. June 26, 2005. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva
  33. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 16)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 16, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  34. “History”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from:  http://www.khongguan.com.sg/aboutus.php
  35. Hunt, Alison. “5 Things You Should know About Khong Guan”. The Motley Fool Singapore. November 25, 2013. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.fool.sg/2013/11/25/5-things-you-should-know-about-khong-guan/
  36. “Expansion scheme by biscuit factory to cost $100,000” The Straits Times. May 8, 1959. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  37. “Khong Guan Vegetable Oil Refinery S/B Company Profile” EMIS. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.emis.com/php/company-profile/MY/Khong_Guan_Vegetable_Oil_Refinery_SB_en_2084462.html  
  38. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 16)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 16, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  39. Lim, Choo Hoon. “CHEW Choo Keng 周子敬 Pioneers of Singapore (Reel 17)”. National Archives of Singapore. November 16, 1980. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Archives Online.
  40. “Our Company | Khong Guan Limited”. Khong Guan Limited. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.khongguanlimited.com/our-company/
  41. Hunt, Alison. “5 Things You Should know About Khong Guan”. The Motley Fool Singapore. November 25, 2013. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.fool.sg/2013/11/25/5-things-you-should-know-about-khong-guan/
  42. “Tej Company Profile - Khong Guan Limited”. Taiwan Economic Journal. May 31, 2017. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  43. “$3 MIL PROJECT TO MEET EXPORT DEMANDS”. The Straits Times. September 18, 1970. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  44. “Another market newcomer”. The Straits Times. October 31, 1972. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  45. Mok, Sin Pin. “Biscuit plant awaits ‘green light’ “. The Straits Times. September 18, 1970. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  46. “$3 MIL PROJECT TO MEET EXPORT DEMANDS”. The Straits Times. September 18, 1970. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  47. “$3 MIL PROJECT TO MEET EXPORT DEMANDS”. The Straits Times. September 18, 1970. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  48. “Biscuit factory to double its output”. The Straits Times. December 20, 1974. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  49. Goh, Beng Choo. “Where imagination reigns freely”. The Straits Times. July 12, 1989. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  50. “Khong Guan ventures into China”. The Straits Times. June 18, 1981. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  51. Jarhom, Najeeb. “Strong profits at Khong Guan”. The Straits Times. June 25, 1981. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  52. “About us”. Khong Guan Corporation. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.khongguan.com/aboutkgc  
  53. “It’s all in the packaging”. The Straits Times. October 20, 1994. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  54. “Design changes boost sales”. The Straits Times. January 22, 1988. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  55. “Design changes boost sales”. The Straits Times. January 22, 1988. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  56. “Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore), Woh Hup Noodle House, Effort Holdings and Tai Sun (Lim Kee), four Singapore companies, have formed the first food consortium with Trade Development Board assistance to promote sales in Japan.”. The Business Times. February 8, 1988. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  57. Ng, Magdalene. “Khong Guan to redevelop factory into condo project”. The Business Times. April 20, 1989. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  58. “Condo on former flour mill site set to yield $17.8m profit”. The Business Times. October 10, 1992. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  59. “Khong Gian site to be transformed into a resort”. The Straits Times. July 8, 1992. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  60. “Khong Guan incurs interim loss of $160,000”. The Straits Times. January 25, 1992. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  61. Leow, Jason. “S’pore businesses eye Chinese pie”. The Straits Times. January 15, 2002. Accessed on  19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  62. Tan, Kim Song. “S’pore Satisfied With Sichuan, Hubei Ties”. The Straits Times. May 28, 1996. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  63. Tay, Alvin. “Chew biscuit empire opens plants inland”. The Business Times. May 15, 1995. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  64. Tay, Alvin. “Chew biscuit empire opens plants inland”. The Business Times. May 15, 1995. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  65. Balan, Amy. “Malaysian Biscuit Maker May Be Swallowed Up - Khong Guan Holdings Malaysia.”. The Business Times. May 20, 1995. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  66. Osman, Ahmad. “Former NTUC President to receive Unions’ Highest Award”. The Straits Times. April 26, 1997. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  67. “Visa rules relaxed to encourage China business”. The Straits Times. October 2, 2002. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  68. Chan, Kay Min. “S’pore’s biscuit king dies”. The Straits Times. July 11, 2001. Retrieved from 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  69. “People on the move”. The Straits Times. January 15, 2007. Accessed on September 20, 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  70. “Singapore Obituaries: Chew Choo Han”. Singapore Obituaries (blog). December 12, 2007. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://singaporeobituaries.blogspot.com/2007/12/chew-choo-han-071118.html  
  71. “Khong Guan biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd in Packaged Food (Singapore)”. Market research provider, Euromonitor International. December 14, 2015. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  72. “Ritz Food Product Corporation”. bizearch.com. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.bizearch.com/company/Ritz_Food_Product_Corporation_102871.htm
  73. “History”. Khong Guan. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from: http://www.khongguan.com.sg/aboutus.php  
  74. “MAILBAG; Don't forget National Aerated Water Company”. The Straits Times. March 12, 2016. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  75. “MacTaggart Road No. 2 (Khong Guan Biscuit Factory)”. Urban Redevelopment Authority. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Explore/History?bldgid=KGFTYB
  76. “AHA 2018 - 2 Mactaggart Road_portfolio.pdf”. Urban Redevelopment Authority. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ura.gov.sg/-/media/Corporate/Get-Involved/Conserve-Built-Heritage/AHA/2018/AHA%202018%20-%202%20Mactaggart%20Road_portfolio.pdf
  77. “MacTaggart Road No. 2 (Khong Guan Biscuit Factory)”. Urban Redevelopment Authority. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.ura.gov.sg/Conservation-Portal/Awards?bldgid=KGFTYB
  78. Jenie, Asih. “URA Unveils The Winners Of Architectural Heritage Awards 2018”. INDESIGNLIVE.SG. November 8, 2018. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.indesignlive.sg/happenings/architectural-heritage-award-aha-2018
  79. "New Award for Enriching Singapore’s Heritage Landscape”. Ministry of National Development. Accessed on 23 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.mnd.gov.sg/mndlink/2018/nov-dec/article4.htm  
  80. Wong, Tessa. “Khong Guan, Pokka products safe”. The Straits Times. October 17, 2008. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  81. Wong, Tessa. “20 more products found tainted with melamine”. The Straits Times. October 25, 2008. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  82. Teh, Eng Hock. “Melamine: Khong Guan, Khian Guan biscuits recalled”. The Star Online. October 16, 2008. Accessed on 19 September 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/10/16/melamine-khong-guan-khian-guan-biscuits-recalled
  83. “Towkay tells court how he braved death”. The Straits Times. May 24, 1961. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  84. “Court told of kidnap bid”. The Straits Times. August 9, 1961. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  85. “Death sentence on labourer”. The Straits Times. August 15, 1961. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  86. “Merchant risked his life to foil a kidnap bid”. The Straits Times. August 10, 1961. Accessed on 20 September 2019. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.