Our Story
The Singapore Iron Works Merchant Association has been established for more than 3 decades.
Through the years under the good leadership, capable committees and commitment of its members have made it possible for the Association to reach its present status.
There were about 500 over Iron Merchant back in 1981.
Sad to say, there was a lack of interaction among these companies. Thus, the idea of organising an Association to provide room for networking was conceptualised.
It is hoped that the Association will bring forth sharing of skills, ideas and better co-operation to enhance productivity among fellow Iron Merchants.
Our Founder,
Mr Soh Aik Siew
Our Founder, Mr Soh Aik Siew was able to gather the support of 11 enthusiasts to set up Singapore Iron Work Merchant Association with the Singapore Registry of Society. Their meeting ground was then at the premise of Siong Leng Musical Society. In the same year, Mr Soh was appointed as the First President of the Association in an impromptu meeting attended by sixty over Iron Merchants.
On 22 Dec. 1981, Singapore Iron Works Merchant Association was officially established with the approval from the Registry Society. A grand function was held on 3 Mar 1982 to celebrate the Association’s establishment as well as to sworn in the first committee.
The progress and development of the Association calls for the combine effort and enthusiasm of all Iron Merchants who are yet members could come forward to join the Association in its advancement.
我会建立了超过三十年，得到历届会长及理事通力合作，全体会员真诚支持，在同心协力推动下，使会务得以顺利开展，由小组织发展至今日之略具规模。
回顾一九八一年初，铁厂商同业组织，有鉴于当时各行各业都各自成立公会，而大小铁厂数目亦有五百家以上，可惜大家分散各处有如一盘散沙，缺乏联络，因此一些热心同业便萌起组织公会的念头，以构思至策划联系铁厂商同业，以便促进彼此之间的合作，维护同业的利益，改善生产技术提高生产力。
当时本会发起人，苏益寿先生几经困难游说十一位铁厂商同业成立十二人等委小组，借用湘灵音乐社为临时筹备处，向社团注册局申请注册，同年假亚裕尼金国大酒楼，召开临时同仁大会，邀请六十余位同业出席，当场推举苏益寿先生为首届会长，并将会所注册地点转移至52号KAMPONG EUNOS。
一九八一年十二月二十二日我国社团注册局正式批淮新加坡铁厂商公会成立，为了庆祝铁厂行业团结成功，并于一九八二年三月三十日，假美丽宫剧院酒楼夜总会举行成立典礼暨第一届理事就职联欢宴会。
整体而言，本会今后要继续向前迈进，尚需全体同业大力支持，协助推动会务，把本会宗旨发扬光大，因此我热切地希望同业们]踊跃加入，集合大家的力量，相信必能使公会日盆壮大，会务蒸蒸日上。
新加坡铁厂商公会简介（1981 – 2016）
一、成立
大概是1980年，益友铁厂的苏益寿老先生（已故），认为铁厂在经营上面对着许多问题。当时，常有装修商在新建好的组屋底层设立“收工”柜台，招到生意后把工作按类别分发给承包商，这是铁厂的工作来源之一。但事少烦恼多，有时收不到款，有时找不到人，组屋底层只空留着一张桌子，让厂商哭诉无门。因此，为铁厂商们争取利益，谋求福利的念头油然而生，于是苏老想发起筹备成立铁厂商公会。
1981年12月22日，公会终于获准注册。公会在Ubi一带的 Jalan Melayu 找了一处设立会所。
在新加坡铁厂商公会不算长的35年历史中，一直在十八届董事会里担任职位的会员只有薛兴先生一人。
薛先生代表的和和工程私人有限公司，参加了公会的筹备工作，见证了公会的成立，之后与公会和会员一起度过曲折颠簸的风雨路，至今依然热心于会务，积极参与公会各项活动与节目。
薛先生记得，第一届的会员有百名以上，足见同业的热心支持。当年的会庆在美丽宫剧院夜总会设晚宴，出席者很踊跃，筵开五六十席，十分热闹。
过后，公会的会所一再搬迁，举行常月会议没有固定的地方，董事会只好到处开会，咖啡店、小餐厅、熟食中心（即俗称的小贩中心）等等，都是他们召开常月会议的去处在咖啡店。
A Brief History of the Singapore Iron Works Merchant Association (SIWMA) (1981-2016)
1. The Founding of SIWMA
In the year 1980, the late Mr Soh Aik Siew of Aik Yew Iron Works realised that those in the iron works business faced many problems. Back then, it was common for renovation companies to set up temporary stands at the void decks of newly built HDB flats to solicit business. Thereafter, depending on its nature, the work would be subcontracted to various contractors. This was a source of business for the iron works. The downside of this arrangement was that clients might fail to pay or even disappear, leaving behind an empty table at void deck of the flats. This left many iron works owners at their wits’ end. Hence, Mr Soh came up with the idea of setting up an iron works merchants association to safeguard the common interest of iron works owners.
On 22nd December 1981, the association was finally registered, and the office was located at Jalan Melayu in Ubi.
In the brief 35-year history of SIWMA, Mr Sik Hing is the only person to stay on in the executive committee.
Representing Hoe Hoe Engineering (Pte) Ltd, Mr Sik was involved in laying the foundation for the association, and witnessed its founding. Following that, he went through SIWMA’s ups and downs together with fellow members. Today, he remains passionate towards his duties and proactively participates in various SIWMA related activities and programmes.
Mr Sik recalled that during the term of the first executive committee, there were more than 100 members, a strong show of support from those within the industry indeed. Back then, a banquet would be held at the Mei Li Gong Theatre Night Club to commemorate SIWMA’s anniversary. The responses for the banquets were very encouraging, with 50-60 tables often required for the attendees.
Following that, times were more troubled as the association shifted premises often, and there wasn’t even a fixed location to hold the monthly meetings. Instead, such meetings were held at coffee shops, eateries, and even hawker centres etc.
二、公会举办的活动
除了循例每年举行新春团拜和捞鱼生聚会，会庆宴会之外，公会经常有举办一些活动如马来西亚、南非、港、澳和珠海等地的旅游，参加广州交易会，组团到越南和缅甸等国的考察，以及访问马来西亚同业组织等。也曾带领理发小姐去老人院进行义剪的服务。
公会也为会员同业举办一些与行业相关课题的讲座。
薛先生热忱地参与会务。他认为应该加强与外界的联络网，更何况处在网络时代，于是他自己负担费用为公会设计网站，希望增加号召力，打响公会的知名度。
2. Activities organised by SIWMA
Other than the annual Chinese New Year and Lo Hei gathering, as well as the anniversary dinner, SIWMA also organises activities such as tours to Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai etc, participating in the Guangzhou Trade Fair, study trips to countries such as Vietnam and Myanmar and visits to associations of a similar nature in Malaysia, etc. The association had also previously organised a free haircut service at old folks’ homes.
On top of all these, the association also organises talks on topics related to the iron works industry for its members.
Mr Sik carries out his duties at SIWMA whole-heartedly. He feels that in the Internet age, there is a pressing need to strengthen communication links with the outside world. Therefore, he paid out of his own pocket to set up a web page for the association, in a bid to make SIWMA more attractive and well-known.
三、举办高尔夫球联谊赛
2008年， 公会举办了第一届高尔夫球联谊球赛。
由于初次举办，当时的反应很热烈，参加者的鼎力支持与肯定的喝彩，使得负责工作的董事深感欣慰，何况筹集的款项也不错，因此，董事会更具信心，决定每两年主办一次球赛，相信在促进会员的联系方面会有很好的作用。
接着，在2010年，2012年，2014年以及2016年，主办了另外四届的球赛。
3. Golf tournament
In 2008, the association held its inaugural golf tournament.
The support for the tournament was overwhelming. The support and encouragement from the participants heartened the executive committee members who organised the event. Furthermore, the charity funds raised was also sizeable. This gave the executive committee the confidence to go ahead with holding a golf tournament every two years as it would give members more opportunities to interact with one other.
Four more golf tournaments were subsequently held in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016.
四、薛先生接棒会长已八年
薛先生曾经在1995年担任第八届的会长。在2009年，再次当选第十五届的会长，连选连任，至今已经连任了四届共八年的会长了。
薛先生当选十五届会长时有几个目标：
1。希望在董事会同人的努力下，会员同业的协助下，公会的会员人数能够再次达到一 百位以上。
2。争取年轻同业能参与公会行政工作，成为公会未来接班人。
3。拥有固定的会所，使到开会和行政工作能方便进行，确保公会档案资料得以保存。
4。多举办对行业有益的活动，如：各种讲座，出国考察，高球赛，各种交流活动等等。
5。取诸社会，回馈社会，量力捐助慈善事业。
2009年12月10日，公会庆祝成立28周年的晚宴上，除了主宾本会永久名誉法律顾问林勇大律师，本会初次邀请到Singapore Structural Steel Society (SSSS)会长陈天聪先生（时任建设局董事）为大会贵宾，还有建设局专业人员现场讲解要成为合格的钢结构承包商所须具备的条件。
4. Mr Sik has held the chairmanship for eight years
Mr Sik was the President of the 8th executive committee back in 1995. In 2009, he was re-elected to become chairman of the 15th executive committee and held the position till today. As of today, he has been the President for four executive committees consecutively for a total of eight years.
After being elected as the President of the 15th executive committee, Mr Sik had several goals in mind:
1. Work with colleagues in the executive committee and fellow members to increase the number of members to exceed 100 again.
2. Attract younger members to take on some of the association’s administrative work in order to groom the next generation of successors.
3. Have a permanent address to make it more convenient to hold meetings and carry out administrative work, as well as to ensure that the association’s files are securely kept.
4. Organise more activities that are beneficial for the industry, such as various talks, overseas study trips, golf competitions, and other social activities etc.
5. Give back to society by contributing towards charitable causes.
On 10th December 2009, at the association’s 28th annual dinner, other than the guest of honour Mr Lim Yong who was the SIWMA’s Permanent Honorary Legal Adviser, Mr Tan Tian Chong, the President of Singapore Structural Steel Society (SSSS) graced the dinner as a VIP. Mr. Tan was then the Director at the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore. A Staff from the BCA also gave a presentation on the requirements needed to become a qualified structure steel contractor.
五、出版第一本纪念特刊
2011年，本会已届“而立之年”，可以说是自2008年主办第一届高尔夫球联谊赛之后的另一个重要的里程碑。
为庆祝成立30周年，董事会议决出版本会有史以来的第一本特刊（全本彩色，厚达120页），以记录本会从创立后的活动和发展，并且收录了许多珍贵的文献和照片。会员同业踊跃支持，惠登广告，深重的情谊，可感可佩。
本会也重新修复网站，以便为会员和同业提供最新的信息。
当年12月28日，本会在中华总商会的嘉庚堂举行30周年会庆的晚宴，除了分发特刊，同时启动了全新的网站。当晚的主宾是林勇大律师，贵宾是Mr. Ho Wan Boon, President of Singapore Structural Steel Society。本会一向关心慈善团体，当晚也捐款给两个为民众提供服务的医疗机构。
本会与邻国的同业团体组织保持着良好的交往和友谊。这一年，马来西亚机器厂商总会率队专程访问本会，以及参观本会会员的镀锌工厂。
5. Publication of the first commemorative special issue
In 2011, SIWMA turned 30 years old. This was another important milestone after the first golf tournament back in 2008.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary, the executive committee published a first ever special issue (in colour and a total of 120 pages) to record SIWMA’s activities and development since its founding. The book also included many precious documents and photographs. Many members and practitioners in the industry showed their support by taking up advertising space in the book, an admirable display of camaraderie indeed.
The association’s website was also revamped to provide members and practitioners in the industry with the latest information.
On 28th December in the same year, SIWMA’s 30th anniversary dinner was held at the Tan Kah Kee Hall at the Singapore Chinese Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI). At the banquet, the special commemorative issue was launched and a brand new website was revealed. The guest of honour for the night was SIWMA’s Permanent Honorary Legal Adviser Mr Lim Yong while Mr Ho Wan Boon, President of the Singapore Structural Steel Society, was the VIP. SIWMA has always been contributing to charitable causes and during the dinner, cash donations were handed over to two medical organisations that provide healthcare services to the public.
The association also maintained good ties with sister organisations in the neighbouring countries. During that year, a group from the Federation of Malaysian Foundry and Engineering Industries Association visited SIWMA and toured the galvanizing plant of one of our members.
六、第二本特刊和再次修复网站
董事会为加强会员之间的联系与交流， 2015年7月25日举行“庆祝建国50周年暨会员交流会”，2016年9月9日举行“中秋联谊会”等等。
会员同业积极的支持与踊跃出席，这是董事会主办活动的最大动力来源。
白驹过隙，光阴似箭，不知不觉五年过去了。2016年为庆祝成立35周年，董事们认为应该再次出版纪念特刊：《35载风雨路》。
薛会长建议修复网站，也得到大家的支持。完成修复工作的网站将在35周年会庆晚宴上正式启动。
6. Second commemorative issue and website revamp
In order to facilitate interaction and forge stronger bonds among members, the executive committee organised a series of events such as “Celebrating 50 years of nation-building cum members’ night” on 25th July 2015 and “Mid-autumn festival members’ night” on 9th September 2016 etc.
The ardent support and active participation from members and industry practitioners provided the greatest source of motivation for the executive committee to organise such activities.
The passage of time is at times a blur, and five years passed in the blink of an eye. To celebrate SIWMA’s 35th anniversary, the executive committee decided to publish another commemorative issue, “35 Years of Arduous Journey”.
Mr Sik’s suggestion to revamp the website also received everyone’s support. The brand new website would be launched at the 35th anniversary dinner.
七、行业面对问题多
数年来，这个行业又面对另一番问题。
由于行情好转，许多新公司的成立以及区域国家纷纷进驻我国争抢地盘渐而演变成憎多粥少的局面。各方削价求存，加上行情逐年下降，这几年更面对成本日益不断增加，销售价却不升反降，搞到本行业怨声四起。
薛先生说，置身于此行业中，当然也不能幸免这种冲击，因为有了前车之鉴，尤其面对目前市场恶劣环境，稳扎稳打才是求存之道，目前唯有不求有功，但求无过地等待机会吧!
由于本地技工难求，薛先生曾经于90年代初期代表公会写信去劳工部，诉求放宽马来西亚技工工作准证的申请。
2014年与2015年6月在中华总商会主办的“与行业交流会”上，恳切陈词，反映同业业务方面的情形，希望有关方面能够垂注。
2015年7月14日也和建设局（BCA）对话，反映本行业面对种种问题，希望当局能给以协助。
2016年10月14日，薛会长出席了由中华总商会主办的“与总理公署陈振声部长对话会”，他发言时提到本行业工程合约近几年不断流失予外地，以致严重影响本行业以及相关行业，生意一落千丈，恳请政府或有关当局能深入了解，然后作出适当政策，以协助解决行业面对的困境。
7. Numerous issues faced by the industry
Over the past few years, the industry has faced a series of problems.
When economic conditions were favourable, many new companies, both local and foreign, appeared to vie for a share of the local market leading to a glut of supply. Cut throat competition and deteriorating economic conditions coupled with rising costs in recent years led to falling prices. This resulted in a chorus of complaints in the industry.
Mr Sik shared that ups and downs are inevitable in business. Based on past experience, it is vital to steady the ship and wait out the storm in the face of such terrible market conditions.
Back in the 90s, due to a shortage of skilled labour in Singapore, Mr Sik wrote a letter on behalf of SIWMA to the Ministry of Manpower to appeal for a loosening of restrictions for the work permit application process for Malaysian skilled labour.
During dialogues with industry practitioners held at the SCCCI in 2014 and June 2015, Mr Sik also spoke sincerely about the circumstances that the industry found itself in in the hope that the relevant authorities would take note.
On 14th July 2015, a dialogue was also held with the BCA to highlight the various problems faced by the industry in the hope that the authorities could lend a helping hand.
On 14th October 2016, while attending the “Dialogue with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Chan Chun Sing” organised by the SCCCI, Mr Sik spoke about the significant loss of business to overseas competitors in recent years. This has led to a sharp decline in business for those in the industry as well as in related industries. Mr Sik urged the government or relevant authorities to step in and understand the issues in detail before rolling out relevant policies to help the industry tackle its difficulties.
八、真挚的感谢与呼吁
回首过去卅五载，公会走的是一条坎坷的风雨路，经济不稳定，无法展开更多的活动，无法增加收入，也反过来使得财务状况欠佳，公会趋向低调；一直到2008年举办第一届高尔夫球赛，经济方有些改善。时至今日，公会能够坚持下来，端赖同业先进热心地不断给予鼎力支持，慷慨赞助，继续热忱参加高尔夫球联谊赛，深厚友谊，让人铭感五内。
公会想筹划更多的活动，以回馈会员同业。然而，主办活动要有人手，岁月不饶人啊，资深的会员中，业务的负责人不少年事已高，公会的董事会成员年过半百者也不少，往往忙于业务而分身乏术，或者有心无力，因此，真诚地希望同业里年轻的接班人能够秉承老一辈的精神，继续关怀公会，为公会注入新的活力，抽出时间来积极参与公会的活动；也深深地期盼其他同业能够加入公会，团结在一起，为本行业贡献所长，让这个同业交流联系的平台能够发挥作用。
8. Heartfelt thanks and an appeal
Looking back, the past 35 years has been a difficult journey for SIWMA. The association’s limited economic resources means that it was unable to organise more activities and increase its income which in turn caused its financial position to weaken further. Thus, SIWMA had to maintain a low profile. The association’s finances only improved after it held its first golf tournament back in 2008. SIWMA is only able to survive till today largely due to the unwavering support and generous donations from members and industry practitioners. Their continued interest in the golf tournament and strong friendship warm the hearts of those in the executive committee.
The association has intentions of organising more activities for its members but more manpower is needed for this. Among its members, many of those who are responsible for organising events are no longer young and energetic. Within the executive committee, there are also quite a number who are in their 50s or older. Often, they are tied up with their own business and unable to find time and/or energy. Hence, we sincerely hope that the younger generation can step forward to gradually take over the reins and inject much needed vitality to the association. It is also our hopes that others in the industry would unite together by joining SIWMA and contribute their strengths so that this platform to facilitate interaction and communication amongst those in the industry can serve its purpose.