We’re going to bring you an inside look into a local apparel maker turned investment holding firm.

Founded in 1951, Sing Lun started as a textile trading firm along Circular Road and has seen its business transform over the decades. 

For one thing, the firm expanded into apparel manufacturing in 1968 when the second generation owners took over.

Over the years, Sing Lun evolved to become the manufacturer for top outdoor and sportswear brands such as The North Face, Puma and Under Armour. And its annual revenue – a whopping US$185 million as at 2016. 

But as people say, change is the only constant, and Sing Lun has yet changed once again. 

It merged its textile manufacturing business SL Global with Crystal International Group in Hong Kong in 2016 to become the second largest apparel manufacturer in the world. 

Today, Sing Lun Holdings is known as a privately-owned investment holding company with business interests worldwide. Its portfolio includes three main verticals: real estate holdings, industrial and business services and investments and private equity.

But what were the reasons behind the move to divest SL Global and what does the divestment of its apparel manufacturing mean for the firm? What is the firm focusing on next?

On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Mark Lee, CEO, Sing Lun Holdings.

We’re going to bring you an inside look into a local apparel maker turned investment holding firm.
Founded in 1951, Sing Lun started as a textile trading firm along Circular Road and has seen its business transform over the decades. 
For one thing, the firm expanded into apparel manufacturing in 1968 when the second generation owners took over.
Over the years, Sing Lun evolved to become the manufacturer for top outdoor and sportswear brands such as The North Face, Puma and Under Armour. And its annual revenue – a whopping US$185 million as at 2016. 
But as people say, change is the only constant, and Sing Lun has yet changed once again. 
It merged its textile manufacturing business SL Global with Crystal International Group in Hong Kong in 2016 to become the second largest apparel manufacturer in the world. 
Today, Sing Lun Holdings is known as a privately-owned investment holding company with business interests worldwide. Its portfolio includes three main verticals: real estate holdings, industrial and business services and investments and private equity.
But what were the reasons behind the move to divest SL Global and what does the divestment of its apparel manufacturing mean for the firm? What is the firm focusing on next?
On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Mark Lee, CEO, Sing Lun Holdings.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

Under The Radar

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.

Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Under the Radar: From making activewear for Under Armour, Puma and The North Face to becoming an investment holding firm - What’s next for Sing Lun Holdings post merger of apparel business with HK’s Crystal International Group

It’s back to the banking industry today as we speak to a Taiwanese bank set up nearly half a century ago. 

Established back in 1975, our guest for today is Cathay United Bank, a subsidiary of Cathay Financial Holdings. 

Cathay Financial Holdings, for context, is a financial conglomerate with businesses spanning insurance, asset management and brokerage, with its Chairman Tsai Hong-tu having a net worth of US$5.3 billion based on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Back to Cathay United Bank, the bank boasts 165 branches throughout Taiwan, placing it as one of the leading players in the island when it comes down to credit cards in force as well as transaction volumes. 

Outside of its home market, Cathay United Bank has a presence in 67 overseas locations across mainland China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia. 

But what are we speaking to Cathay United Bank you might ask? Well, the bank is an interesting one to look at because it is now expanding its headcount in Singapore, as their clients double down on their operations and presence in the Southeast Asian region. But what should we know about its expansion plans here?

Meanwhile, Cathay United Bank had in May 2024 saw net income increasing 13 per cent on the year to over US$950 million in 2023. But how is its Singapore business faring thus far? Also – what will the focus areas be for the firm’s operations here in Singapore looking ahead?

On Under the Radar, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Winfield Wong, CEO, Cathay United Bank (Singapore).

It&rsquo;s back to the banking industry today as we speak to a Taiwanese bank set up nearly half a century ago.&nbsp;
Established back in 1975, our guest for today is Cathay United Bank, a subsidiary of Cathay Financial Holdings.&nbsp;
Cathay Financial Holdings, for context, is a financial conglomerate with businesses spanning insurance, asset management and brokerage, with its Chairman Tsai Hong-tu having a net worth of US$5.3 billion based on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Back to Cathay United Bank, the bank boasts 165 branches throughout Taiwan, placing it as one of the leading players in the island when it comes down to credit cards in force as well as transaction volumes.&nbsp;
Outside of its home market, Cathay United Bank has a presence in 67 overseas locations across mainland China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.&nbsp;
But what are we speaking to Cathay United Bank you might ask? Well, the bank is an interesting one to look at because it is now expanding its headcount in Singapore, as their clients double down on their operations and presence in the Southeast Asian region. But what should we know about its expansion plans here?
Meanwhile, Cathay United Bank had in May 2024 saw net income increasing 13 per cent on the year to over US$950 million in 2023. But how is its Singapore business faring thus far? Also &ndash; what will the focus areas be for the firm&rsquo;s operations here in Singapore looking ahead?
On Under the Radar, Money Matter&rsquo;s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Winfield Wong, CEO, Cathay United Bank (Singapore).

Under the Radar: Why is Taiwan-based Cathay United Bank expanding in Singapore?

Ever clicked into an online website only to see a pop-up that writes “verify you are human”?

If you’ve scrutinised the pop-up, chances are, you might find a logo at the side that says “Cloudflare”. 

And if you have found the logo – then bingo – you’ve already been introduced to our guest for today. 

Founded in 2009, Cloudflare is a leading connectivity cloud company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. While it offers security solutions like popups to verify human users, its business spans way beyond that. 


The firm said it empowers users to make their employees, applications and networks faster and more secure everywhere while reducing complexity and cost. That’s through its suite of cloud-native products and developer tools for companies to develop and accelerate their businesses. 

Cloudflare had in November 2024 forecasted fourth quarter revenue of between US$451 million and US$452 million, lower than the analysts’ average estimate of US$455.7 million based on data compiled by LSEG. 

The expectations came amid intensifying competition among cloud and cybersecurity players and as enterprises dial back on expenditures as they look to an uncertain global economy. 

But how does the firm assess its current operating environment and what does the road ahead look like for it?

On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Munroe, Vice-President of Marketing, Asia Pacific at Cloudflare.

Ever clicked into an online website only to see a pop-up that writes “verify you are human”?
If you’ve scrutinised the pop-up, chances are, you might find a logo at the side that says “Cloudflare”. 
And if you have found the logo – then bingo – you’ve already been introduced to our guest for today. 
Founded in 2009, Cloudflare is a leading connectivity cloud company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. While it offers security solutions like popups to verify human users, its business spans way beyond that. 
 The firm said it empowers users to make their employees, applications and networks faster and more secure everywhere while reducing complexity and cost. That’s through its suite of cloud-native products and developer tools for companies to develop and accelerate their businesses. 
Cloudflare had in November 2024 forecasted fourth quarter revenue of between US$451 million and US$452 million, lower than the analysts’ average estimate of US$455.7 million based on data compiled by LSEG. 
The expectations came amid intensifying competition among cloud and cybersecurity players and as enterprises dial back on expenditures as they look to an uncertain global economy. 
But how does the firm assess its current operating environment and what does the road ahead look like for it?
On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Ben Munroe, Vice-President of Marketing, Asia Pacific at Cloudflare.

Under the Radar: How does Cloudflare navigate increased competition and lower enterprise spending and what are the opportunities ahead?

You might have heard of the global ride hailing service called TADA, which was launched back in 2018, but how much do you know about its parent company MVL? 

Well, this is an interesting one, because its parent MVL is actually an incentive-based blockchain mobility ecosystem, more so than a transport app maker.  

Its consumer facing businesses include the ride hailing service TADA, as well as ONiON Mobility, an electric vehicle manufacturing and battery charging infrastructure brand best known for its electric tuk-tuks in Cambodia

Behind the action, MVL also has other business verticals including a decentralised physical mobility infrastructure network that collects mobility data as well as a crypto wallet called Clutch. 

The mechanics of the business may be complicated, but MVL said it can be better understood as a player providing Web 3.0 mobility. But what is Web 3.0 mobility exactly? And how does MVL see Tada and ONiON mobility’s roles in its blockchain ecosystem? 

Aside from the mechanics, MVL is also a company to zoom in on because it is seeing some developments of late relating to Tada and ONiON mobility specifically. 

For one thing, Tada had said in August 2024 that it will expand into Hong Kong as authorities there plan to regulate private ride-hailing services. But what were the reasons behind entering Hong Kong, and what are the key drivers of growth for the business? 

Where will it expand into next, say Vietnam, after fellow industry player Gojek exited the country after six years?

And on ONiON mobility had in May 2022 launched a US$20 million electric motorcycle and three-wheeler assembly plant in Cambodia. But what’s next for the firm on this front?

On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Sean Kim, Chief Executive Officer at TADA Mobility and Chief Operating Officer at MVL.

You might have heard of the global ride hailing service called TADA, which was launched back in 2018, but how much do you know about its parent company MVL? 
Well, this is an interesting one, because its parent MVL is actually an incentive-based blockchain mobility ecosystem, more so than a transport app maker.  
Its consumer facing businesses include the ride hailing service TADA, as well as ONiON Mobility, an electric vehicle manufacturing and battery charging infrastructure brand best known for its electric tuk-tuks in Cambodia
Behind the action, MVL also has other business verticals including a decentralised physical mobility infrastructure network that collects mobility data as well as a crypto wallet called Clutch. 
The mechanics of the business may be complicated, but MVL said it can be better understood as a player providing Web 3.0 mobility. But what is Web 3.0 mobility exactly? And how does MVL see Tada and ONiON mobility’s roles in its blockchain ecosystem? 
Aside from the mechanics, MVL is also a company to zoom in on because it is seeing some developments of late relating to Tada and ONiON mobility specifically. 
For one thing, Tada had said in August 2024 that it will expand into Hong Kong as authorities there plan to regulate private ride-hailing services. But what were the reasons behind entering Hong Kong, and what are the key drivers of growth for the business? 
Where will it expand into next, say Vietnam, after fellow industry player Gojek exited the country after six years?
And on ONiON mobility had in May 2022 launched a US$20 million electric motorcycle and three-wheeler assembly plant in Cambodia. But what’s next for the firm on this front?
On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Sean Kim, Chief Executive Officer at TADA Mobility and Chief Operating Officer at MVL.

Under the Radar: From making activewear for Under Armour, Puma and The North Face to becoming an investment holding firm - What’s next for Sing Lun Holdings post merger of apparel business with HK’s Crystal International Group

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