Founded in 1959, Mr Tan Chah Sia, Chop Sia Huat started out as a household goods retailer in Singapore’s Chinatown district. Behind this modest shop front, a four-man team ran the business selling kitchenware and household products.

Mr C.B. Tan, the founder’s son, was roped in to steer the company’s future direction. Armed with a keen sense of business, C.B saw an opportunity to expand the business by supplying kitchenware to the hospitality industry. His younger sister, Katherine Tan, later joined him in executing his vision. Together, they successfully secured their first hotel deal with Shangri-La Singapore in the 1980s.

Chop Sia Huat was incorporated as Sia Huat Private Limited with CB as the Managing Director and Katherine as the Executive Director. It was also the beginning of an era where Sia Huat obtained exclusive distribution rights to many established brands in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. Our strong relationships with long-standing partners and renowned brands, such as Zebra and Nikko, have continued to this day.

Under the sibling’s leadership, the family business flourished. Following the incorporation of Chop Sia Huat as Sia Huat Pte Limited, the retail shop grew from a single leased unit to a privately owned outfit double in size.

Sia Huat successfully secured major contracts with various hotels, retailers and F&B establishments, including the newly built Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

In 1995, Sia Huat established her corporate office and warehouse in a building at 20 Pandan Road, housing over 200 employees and more than 100 brands in its stable.

Sia Huat began participating in major trade shows around the world, such as the 1998 Food and Hotel Asia Exhibition, to connect with key prospects in the food and hospitality industries. In May 1998, a wholly- owned subsidiary, Hocatsu (M) Sdn Bhd, was set up to gain a foothold in the growing kitchenware market in Malaysia. With this increased exposure, Sia Huat quickly made a name for itself as Southeast Asia’s leading agent, distributor and stockist in foodservice products and equipment.

With the booming business, the Temple Street store soon expanded to a double storey outlet, now stretched over three shops units. The following year, the store underwent a revamp to enhance customers’ shopping experience. The bigger retail space also allowed a wider range of products to be showcased. The overhaul proved to be an immense success, with sales growth reaching a new high.

A brand new 10,000 square feet Corporate Showroom was launched at the Pandan Road building, providing a one-stop shopping solution for all needs.

To further enhance Sia Huat’s supply chain performance, the 40,000 square feet warehouse was extensively renovated to include technological innovations such as computerised shipping and tracking to optimise productivity and inventory management.

With tremendous support from partners, and a rising reputation for product excellence and strong logistic capabilities, Sia Huat clinched a lucrative contract with flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, to supply customised luxury chinaware for her Business Class cabins. With daily flights to several international destinations, this effectively brought visibility of the Sia Huat brand to a global scale.

Sia Huat’s Managing Director Mr C.B. Tan receiving the award from Ms Lim Hwee Hua (then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office) at the Singapore Prestige Brand Award held at Ritz Carlton Millenia Hotel on 10th December 2009. In recognition of outstanding achievement in branding, Sia Huat was presented with the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (Heritage Brands category, for brands established for more than 25 years).

Tools of the Trade (TOTT) store was launched in 2010 in response to a rapidly growing pool of qualityconscious and discerning end consumers. It quickly became a culinary paradise offering over 11,000 kitchen selections, event hosting, and cooking classes for aspiring home chefs. It also houses a bistro serving up a delectable selection of Asian and Western cuisine.

At the 2012/2013 Global Innovation Award (GIA), TOTT was honoured with a prestigious National win, alongside 22 other winners each representing a different country, beating some of the industry’s best in housewares retail and design. The GIA is organised by the International Housewares Association in Chicago and is the most recognised awards program for homegoods retailer around the world. Building upon its increasing presence in the region, Hocatsu (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sia Huat, introduced a brand new 10,000 square feet concept showroom, retail space and office in Jalan 225, Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.

TOTT Store opened its second store. Centrally located at Suntec City, TOTT@Suntec 4,800 square feet houses an open concept hands-on cooking studio for up to 24 participants.

ToTT relocated its Sime Darby Center Store to Century Square. The new store is over 7000 Sq Ft. The new location facilitates to serve a new group of customers.

PT Sia Huat Indonesia opened in Jakarta to better serve our customers in Indonesia.

New Distribution Centre is fully operational
The new consolidated warehouse is 55,000 sq ft and will support our regular distribution, E-commerce and export sales.