Our Founding Fathers
Khong Guan
Khong Guan Biscuit Company is a Singaporean biscuit manufacturer that has a grand history over the past 70 years. Founded in 1947 by Chew Choo Keng and Chew Choo Han, they have grown into a multinational business that exports to more than 40 countries internationally.
Before The Biscuit
History
1935
More than sixty years ago, two brothers Chew Choo Keng and Chew Choo Han left their village in Fujian, China in their late teens to come to Singapore. Full of aspirations and eager to eke out a living to support their family in China, they found work in a local biscuit factory.
1940
However, their happiness was short-lived as the Japanese invaded Singapore soon after, forcing the two brothers to seek refuge in Perak, Malaysia where they made biscuits by hand for sale until flour and sugar could no longer be sourced. There was a market demand for salt, so they turned to making salt from sea water to sell. As soap was also in short supply, experiments to make soap from ashes were done until they also had soap to sell, all in an effort to continue their war-time livelihood.
1945
After the Japanese retreat, the brothers returned to Singapore. Having married, with their growing young families and their family in China to support, they went back to doing what they did before selling hand-made biscuits.
Their big break came when Chew Choo Han chanced upon some old and war-damaged biscuit making machines being sold as scrap from the old factory where they used to work. He promptly bought them and with sheer determination and a mechanically astute mind, he rigged up a semi-automated biscuit production line using bicycle chains to move the biscuits on a conveyor system through an improvised brick oven.
The enhanced production capability escalated sales and, in 1947, Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Limited was set up with its first factory premises at 18 Howard Road.
1980
Factories in Malaysia and other parts of South East Asia soon followed with production lines being designed and manufactured by their own engineering outfit. In the early 1980s, Khong Guan factories were established in some of the coastal cities in China. Sales enquiries came in from afar, and Khong Guan biscuits soon found their way to supermarket shelves in the Middle East, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Europe, Canada and the United States.
KHONG GUAN MILESTONES
Timeline
1947
Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd was established. First factory in Singapore was set up. 1950s and 1960s
Following its success in the local market, Khong Guan ventured into the overseas markets and set up factories in its neighboring country, Malaysia. 1970s
Factory in Singapore was relocated to a bigger space in Jurong to accommodate capacity increase. Khong Guan also continued to expand beyond its neighboring countries. More factories were set up in the South East Asia region and biscuits were distributed to the Middle East and Hong Kong.1980s
Khong Guan began exporting internationally, to countries such as Japan and the USA. Since then, the company has exported their products to more than 40 countries. The brand also received numerous awards like the Monde Selection awards, which represent the highest international accolade of quality.2000s
To adapt to changing consumer tastes, Khong Guan has always sought to improve their products. Coming up with new product lines, and improving the quality and packaging of the biscuits is an ongoing process for the company.Now
Khong Guan Biscuit Factory (Singapore) Pte Ltd has continued to commit itself to provide quality and fresh biscuits.Making the biscuits
Our process
and quality
assurance
Timeline