Spring Time

Poh Tiong Choon Logistics CEO Poh Choon Ann is often described as a scholarly businessman. He tells Hong Xinyi how his lifelong passion for the arts has shaped his approach to work and life.

- Hong Xinyi

Once upon a time, there lived seven brothers, whose names all included “choon”, the Chinese character for spring. (They also had a sister, who stood out among the boys in more ways than one, since her name meant autumn chrysanthemum). Their childhood did seem to evoke the promise of spring—their parents ran a provision shop and owned a small Ford car, which made them relatively well-off members of their Thomson Road kampong community.

But soon came a season of struggle. Their father passed away, and the older siblings had to drop out of school and find work. Thanks to the family car, the two eldest brothers had discovered their affinity for vehicles at a young age, and they decided to start a logistics company in 1950 with little more than a few lorries. It was a modest beginning, but the auspicious name for their new venture spoke of bigger ambitions—Poh Tiong Choon, which translates as an everlasting spring.

Today, Poh Tiong Choon Logistics is one of the largest land transport providers in Asia. It’s headed by chairman and CEO Poh Choon Ann, the youngest of eight siblings. He’s now 80 years old, but there’s still a lot of that impish youngest-child energy about him. He’s quick-witted and friendly, bantering easily with the crew during the shoot, adept at putting everyone at ease.

Perhaps his name also foretold (or shaped) his personality—Choon Ann denotes a peaceful spring, a season of contentment. He was the only child in the family who was able to continue with his education even when they were finding it tough to make ends meet, and he has never forgotten that it was the sacrifices of his elder siblings that made it possible.