Goh Cheng Liang
Goh Cheng Liang | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1927 Singapore |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Wuthelam Holdings |
Goh Cheng Liang (born 1927) is a Singaporean billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Wuthelam Holdings, a leading producer in the paint and coatings industry.
Early life
Originally from Singapore, Goh is the son of Wu Songchang and Li Xiuying. Raised in humble circumstances, he earned a living by selling fishnets and working as a rubber tapper. Following World War II, he began acquiring surplus paint from the British military, which he transformed into a burgeoning local enterprise.
Career
In 1955, Goh launched his inaugural paint retail outlet in Singapore and by 1962 had become the primary distributor for Nippon Paint in the country. Established in 1974, Wuthelam Holdings initially concentrated on real estate ventures before diversifying into the paint sector.
Under the guidance of his son, Goh Hup Jin, Wuthelam Holdings finalized an acquisition of Nippon Paint in 2020, boosting Goh's wealth by approximately $3.8 billion. As of 2024, Forbes values his fortune at $12.7 billion, positioning him as Singapore’s second wealthiest individual.
Personal life
Goh Cheng Liang lives in Singapore and through his Goh Foundation has made substantial philanthropic contributions, particularly supporting leukemia research and educational scholarship programs.
His son, Goh Hup Jin, has held the position of chairman at Nippon Paint since March 2018 and oversees their private joint venture, Nipsea.