Lee Kong Chian, Southeast Asia’s well-known Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, was introduced to the rubber business when he was hired by Tan Kah Kee, another established businessman and philanthropist, to help expand his rubber trade company. After spending 11 years learning the ropes, Lee decided to start his own rubber business. Together with a friend, Lee set up a small rubber smokehouse in Muar, Johor, in 1927.[1] The smokehouse collected and sold rubber to Singapore.[2]
One year after establishing the smoke-house, Lee founded Nam Aik Rubber Company. The company was restructured in 1931 and renamed the Lee Rubber Company Private Limited. Other companies Lee founded in 1931 included Lee Produce Co Ltd, Lee Sawmills Ltd and Lee Pineapple Factory.[3]
References
1. Dai, S., & Zhang, G. (2006–2007). Exploring Lee Kong Chian’s knowledge leadership style in Nam Aik Company. Journal of Asian Business, 22(2)/22(3)/23(1), 284. Call no.: RSEA 380.1095 JAB.
2. Tan, B. H. (1987, November 10). Rubber tycoon who never forgot the poor. The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Multi-millionaire who always had time for the poor. (1984, April 22). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.