Haw Par Corporation Explained

Haw Par Corporation
Type:public
Founder:Aw Cheng Chye and family member
Former Name:Haw Par Brothers International
Key People:Wee Cho Yaw (chairman)
Revenue: S$202 million
Revenue Year:2016
Operating Income: S$137 million
Income Year:2016
Net Income: S$125 million
Net Income Year:2016
Assets: S$2.636 billion
Assets Year:2016
Equity: S$2.476 billion
Equity Year:2016
Owner:Wee Cho Yaw family (35.86%)
Subsid:Haw Par Healthcare
Footnotes:in consolidated financial statement[1]
Haw Par Corporation Limited
T:虎豹企業有限公司
S:虎豹企业有限公司
Poj:Hó͘-pà Khì-gia̍p Iú-hān Kong-si
J:Fu2 Paau3 Kei5 Jip6 Jau5 Haan6 Gung1 Si1
Also Known As:Haw Par Brothers International Limited
T2:虎豹兄弟國際有限公司
Poj2:Hó͘-pà Hiaⁿ-tī Kok-chè Iú-hān Kong-si
J2:Fu2 Paau3 Hing1 Dai6 Gwok3 Zai3 Jau5 Haan6 Gung1 Si1
Eng Aun Tong
T:永安堂
Poj:Éng-an-tông
J:Wing5 On1 Tong4
Tiger Balm
T:虎標
Poj:Hó͘-phiau
J:Fu2 Biu1
L:Tiger Brand
Kwan Loong
T:均隆
Poj:Kun-liông
J:Gwan1 Lung4

Haw Par Corporation Limited is a Singaporean company involved in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, leisure products, property and investment. It is the company responsible for Tiger Balm branded liniment (ointment). Its brands also included Kwan Loong and it also owns and operates weekend and leisure time destinations such as oceanariums.[2]

The Haw Par Group owns two oceanariums: the now-defunct Underwater World oceanarium attraction at Sentosa, Singapore, and Underwater World Pattaya in Thailand.[3]

History

Predecessors

The predecessor of Haw Par Corporation, Eng Aun Tong, was founded by Aw Chu Kin, father of Aw Boon Haw and Boon Par brothers. Eng Aun Tong was then relocated to Singapore and expanded its branch to many Chinese communities in Asia. Aw Boon Haw also built Haw Par Villas in Hong Kong, Singapore and in Yongding District, Longyan, China. A private company, Haw Par Brothers (Private) Limited was incorporated in 1932[4] as a holding company for a vast majority of the family assets.

Establishment, IPO and family dispute

Haw Par Brothers International Limited was incorporated on 18 July 1969 by the Aw family (descendant of the late Aw Boon Haw and Boon Par brothers), in order to list most of the assets of Haw Par Brothers (Private) Limited on the Stock Exchange of Malaysia and Singapore. The assets included the brand Eng Aun Tong and Tiger Balm for liniment products, Sin Poh (Star News) Amalgamated that publishes newspaper in Singapore and Malaysia (assets were split into part of what is now SPH Media for Singaporean branch and Media Chinese International for Malaysian branch), as well as subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand. The company also owned an equity investment in Chung Khiaw Bank, as well as a lease contract that signed between Haw Par Brothers International and Haw Par Brothers (Private), to use the Tiger Balm Gardens in Hong Kong and Singapore that were owned by the latter.[5] The shares started to trade in the exchange in November 1969.[6] [7]

The listed company made a major disinvestment in 1970, selling Hong Kong Eng Aun Tong building located in Wan Chai Road for HK$2.8 million, in order to raise fund the Hong Kong subsidiary for other investment.[8] Nevertheless, the actual price was disputed, as the buyer told the press in Hong Kong another figure.

However, a year after IPO, Aw family sold the controlling stake of the family to Slater Walker,[9] At the same time Sin Poh (Star News) Amalgamated was privatized by Aw Cheng Chye, eldest son of the late Aw Boon Par.[10] Aw Cheng Chye also bought back some of the shares from Slater Walker.[11] Haw Par Brothers International also sold 49.8% stake of Chung Khiaw Bank to United Overseas Bank for S$22 million.[12] Aw Cheng Chye was also re-elected as the chairman of Haw Par Brothers International despite the takeover.[13] After the sudden death of Aw Cheng Chye during a trip in Santiago de Chile in August 1971,[14] as well as re-election of the board of directors, it was reported that the listed company was chaired by Richard Tarling[15] [16] while Haw Par Brothers (Private) Limited was chaired by Aw It Haw, the fourth and the first biological son of the late Aw Boon Haw.[15] [17]

Aw Kow, the eldest (adopted) son of the late Aw Boon Haw, who resigned as the director of Sin Poh (Star News) Amalgamated and the managing director of Sin Chew Jit Poh in May 1971[18] [19] due to his personal investment in Eastern Sun, also sued Haw Par Brothers (Private) Limited in 1972 for blocking him to read its accounts and financial statements, claiming under the late Aw Cheng Chye, the company allowed personal spending of Aw Cheng Chye, was invoiced by the company itself.[20] The lawsuit was settled in 1977, in favour Aw Kow.[21]

In the autobiography Escape from Paradise by John & May Chu Harding, they also claimed that Aw Cheng Chye's decision to make Haw Par Brothers International public, was against the wish of the part of the Aw family.[22] May Chu Harding, née Lee, was the great-granddaughter of Aw Boon Par, or granddaughter of Lee Chee Shan and Aw Cheng Hu.[22] Lee Chee Shan was the president of Chung Khiaw Bank in 1971.[18]

Under Aw Cheng Chye as chairman, Haw Par Brothers (Private) also attempted to sell Tiger Balm Garden of Hong Kong in 1961;[23] the last piece of the garden was sold to Cheung Kong in 1998 and the main building of the mansion was donated to the Hong Kong Government.

Expansion under Slater Walker

After Haw Par Brothers International was taken over by Slater Walker in June 1971, the new owner changed Haw Par Brothers International from a family-held business into a true business enterprise.[24] Slater Walker also sold 20% stake of Haw Par Brothers International to Slater Walker's associate company Australian Industrial and Mining Corporation (Austim) in November 1971, as well as a second listing of Haw Par Brothers International on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange[25] and in the London Stock Exchange.[26] [27] Austim sold 55% stake of Motor and General Investment Underwriters Holdings Singapore to Haw Par Brothers International in August 1971.[28] It was announced that the Holdings would purchase a Singapore construction company Scott & English in September 1971.[15]

After the resignation of both Lee Aik Sim (Lee Santipongchai,), and his wife Aw Cheng Sin (Suri Santipongchai,), the daughter of late Aw Boon Par as the directors of Haw Par Brothers (Thailand) in January 1972,[29] the subsidiary was sold in the same month to Jack Chia .[30] [31] Jack Chia and Haw Par Brothers International also formed a joint venture, which the joint venture have the rights to use "Tiger Balm" brand. In March 1972 Haw Par Brothers International acquired fellow pharmaceutical company in Chinese medicines, Hong Kong listed company Kwan Loong & Co., However, Slater Walker turned the Hong Kong company into an investment vehicle in financial market, which was known as Slater Walker Securities (Hong Kong).[32]

In April 1972, Haw Par Brothers International made a strategic investment on a property on 302 Orchard Road.[33]

In 1973 the company expanded to Japan[34] as well as bought 29% stake of a London-listed company London Tin Corporation.[35] [36] Haw Par Brothers International financed the deal by a proposed recapitalization.[37] The stake was sold in 1976 and the sub-holding company that Haw Par Brothers International established in London, was sold in 1982.[38] [39]

Collapse of Slater Walker

The parent company Slater Walker was collapsed after the secondary banking crisis of 1973–75; the company was bailed out by the Bank of England.[40] For Haw Par Brothers International itself, financial irregularities were exposed, for which former chairman Tarling was jailed for 6 months in 1979.[41] Since 13 December 1978, the company has been chaired by Singaporean banker, Wee Cho Yaw.[42] As of 30 March 2020, Wee, through his family investment vehicle, owns 36.23% of the company's shares.[43]

Subsidiaries, brands and products

Kwan Loong originated from a different listed company of the same name (Kwan Loong & Co.,), which was acquired in March 1972.[44] It produces medicated oil, specifically Chinese: 驅風油, literally "oil that expels headaches."

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 Annual Report. 28 March 2017. 9 October 2017. Haw Par Corporation.
  2. Web site: Leisure - Haw Par. www.hawpar.com. 2020-05-23.
  3. Web site: Leisure - Haw Par . Haw Par Corporation Limited . 22 August 2019.
  4. Web site: Application No. 5929/91: In the Matter of the Trademarks Ordinance (Cap. 43) and In the Matter of an application for registration of the Trademark AND..... 30 April 1996. 9 October 2017. Intellectual Property Department . Hong Kong.
  5. News: Prospectus. Haw Par Brothers International. The Straits Times. 12 November 1969. 6 to 7. Singapore. 8 October 2017. Singapore National Library.
  6. News: Shares slightly off on last sales. 12 November 1969. 8 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  7. News: 虎豹兄弟週一掛牌. 15 November 1969. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  8. News: 虎豹兄弟國際賣出灣仔產業得利一百五十餘萬港元. 15 July 1970. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  9. News: Untitled. 11 June 1971. 7 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  10. News: 星系報業屬下三家報完全歸胡氏家族所有史勒特華克並未取得擁有權. 13 June 1971. 7 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  11. News: 胡清才向史勒特華克公司購回一千五百二十萬股份. 16 June 1971. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  12. News: 大華銀行經已取得 崇僑銀行平衡股權 虎豹出售股權値二千二百萬元. 19 June 1971. 11 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  13. News: 拿督胡清才博士續任虎豹兄弟國際有限公司主席. 5 June 1971. 8 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  14. News: 星系報業暨虎豹兄弟公司主席胡淸才靈柩運返星 下月一日發引還山 李總理特函胡夫人致唁. 30 August 1971. 8 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  15. News: 虎豹兄弟國際公司舉行常年股東大會新主席李查塔寧報告業務. 16 September 1971. 10 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. zh. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  16. News: Haw Par chief queried on sale accounts. 17 September 1971. 9 October 2017. New Nation. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  17. News: 胡文虎在福建遗产获归还 和中国联络前胡一虎不愿置评. 1 June 1983. 9 October 2017. Lianhe Zaobao. Singapore News and Publications. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  18. News: The Aw family. New Nation. Singapore. 23 July 1971. 6 October 2017. Singapore National Library.
  19. News: Still a director. 28 July 1971. New Nation. 8 October 2017. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  20. News: 胡蛟向高等法院請求發出命令禁止虎豹私人公司阻礙檢查賬目紀錄原告律師指故胡清才在任期問濫用職權利用公款充私人用途. 12 September 1972. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  21. News: Aw suit settled. 23 February 1977. 10 October 2017. New Nation. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  22. Book: Escape from Paradise: From Third World to First. John. Harding. May Chu. Lee. IDKPress. 2001. Phoenix. 0-9710929-0-7.
  23. News: 新聞人物胡一虎接見記者. 24 October 1961. 6. Ta Kung Pao. Hong Kong. Hong Kong Public Libraries. zh.
  24. Pangarkar. Nitin. 2016. Investing in Durable Assets to Achieve Superior Performance: Restoring Tiger Balm's Roar. Global Business and Organizational Excellence. en. 35. 2. 6–17. 10.1002/joe.21651. 1932-2062.
  25. News: Austim buys stake in Haw Par. 11 November 1971. 9 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  26. News: Shares in Haw Par may be traded in London soon. 17 December 1971. 9 October 2017. New Nation. London. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  27. News: Haw Par shares. 18 December 1971. 9 October 2017. Singapore. The Straits Times. Singapore National Library.
  28. News: Austim sells interest to Haw Par. The Canberra Times. 6 August 1971. 9 October 2017. National Library of Australia.
  29. News: 虎豹兄弟國際公司宣佈委任三位新董事繼承辭職者遺缺. 12 January 1972. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  30. News: A [S]$630,000 takeover]. 25 January 1972. 9 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  31. News: 謝志正收購泰國虎豹兄弟公司. 28 January 1972. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  32. Web site: haw-par-brothers-international-hk-limited-hkpxhke list. www.hongkongcompanieslist.com.
  33. News: 虎豹兄弟國際有限公司購買烏節路四層樓大廈. 28 April 1972. Written on 27 April 1972. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  34. News: 虎豹兄弟國際公司宣佈在港設一新公司計劃將業務擴展至日本. 8 January 1973. Written on 7 January 1973. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. Singapore National Library. zh.
  35. News: Haw Par clinches $83 mil deal. 19 May 1973. 9 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  36. News: 虎豹兄弟國際公司出高價收購倫敦錫礦公司. 20 May 1973. Written on 18 May 1973. London. 9 October 2017. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. zh. Singapore National Library.
  37. News: EGM to decide on Haw Par acquisition. 12 June 1973. 9 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  38. News: Haw Par Brothers Sells London Unit. 9 April 1982. 9 October 2017. Business Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  39. News: Haw Par forges ahead with rationalisation. 12 April 1982. 9 October 2017. The Straits Times. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  40. News: The provision of financial assistance to Slater Walker Bank in 1975. https://web.archive.org/web/20070611085419/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./about/information/foi_disclosures/2005/foi_slater_walker_2005.cfm. 23 September 2005. originally written in 1975–1977. 11 June 2007. 29 October 2017. HM Treasury. London.
  41. News: Tarling released. 24 March 1980. 29 October 2017. New Nation. Singapore. Singapore National Library.
  42. Web site: Wee Cho Yaw takes over the reins of Haw Par. 2021-03-08. eresources.nlb.gov.sg. en-SG.
  43. Web site: Howie. Geoff. 30 March 2020. Wee Investments up UOL, Haw Par stakes. 2021-03-08. www.businesstimes.com.sg.
  44. News: 虎豹兄弟國際公司與香港均隆簽協議購買均隆股票七百萬股從而取得該號之控制權. 3 March 1972. 11 October 2017. zh. Nanyang Siang Pau. Singapore. Singapore National Library.