*This was first published in Penang Monthly's January 2025 edition.
While most corporations focus on the environment or social welfare as part of their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, Greatech Technology is interested in instilling and strengthening the culture of reading, not only among its employees, but also in society in general. Greatech, a local automation solutions provider and this year’s main sponsor for the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), inculcates a love for reading among its employees in order to enhance creativity and innovation.
The company has a dedicated reading corner for its employees!
Unsurprisingly, Greatech’s group CEO Tan Eng Kee is an avid reader himself, especially of books that focus on leadership, innovation and personal development: “Books as well as arts and cultural activities inspire people to think creatively, which ultimately spark ideas and drive innovation in all sectors, including ours.”
*George Town Literary Festival*
GTLF, an internationally acclaimed annual festival held since 2011 in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town, aspires to encourage exchange of ideas between local and international writers, and to expose Malaysians to the world of literature and also Malaysian literature to the world. It is Malaysia’s most renowned literary festival. For 2024, it ran from 29 November to 1 December with the theme “Word on the Street”, and featured nearly 50 writers, both local and international.
Greatech, GTLF’s main sponsor in 2024, believes that continuous learning and the exploration of new perspectives enable diverse voices and ideas to flourish. In supporting GTLF, it hopes to create a ripple effect to encourage a reading culture in Penang’s public sphere. Tan says Greatech is committed to supporting initiatives which align and resonate with his company’s broader vision to generate a love for reading.
“I’m convinced of the positive impact GTLF has on Penang’s society. Greatech wants to be actively involved, and GTLF is one way to drive growth through the love of reading. “For Greatech, this means contributing to a well-rounded and culturally rich community that values creativity—a key driver of the technological solutions we develop.”
A self-made man, Tan began working part-time at a bakery after school hours to supplement his family’s income at 16 years old. After securing his mechanical engineering certification and having toiled as a production planner for a precision-tooling company for several years, he set out on his own with a RM10,000 loan from his mother and enlisted the help of his best friend, Khor Lean Heng, his current Chief Operating Officer, to start Greatech.
Although that first company folded in 2001, the pair embarked on setting up another, known as Greatech Integration, which produced semi-automated and automated equipment for the consumer electronics sector. Later, the company expanded into the semiconductor and solar power industries. Greatech was listed in 2019 on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.
In 2020, the company’s share prices soared, making Tan an instant billionaire. As the company further expanded, it was transferred to the Main Market on 28 October 2021, and in the same year, Tan was listed as one of Asia’s most influential people. Greatech also made the list for Forbes Asia’s Best Under a Billion in 2022 and 2023. Now, with a net worth of about USD-820mil, Tan is ranked No.25 on Forbes’ Malaysia’s 50 richest men.
Greatech primarily provides automation solutions in the design, development and production of systems, machinery and equipment for manufacturing processes, as well as value-added services such as supplying parts, training and after-sales support across the globe. Tan proudly proclaims that Greatech’s machinery and equipment are installed worldwide, including in China, India, Singapore, Vietnam, the US and several European countries.
“Our customers are involved in industries such as solar, semiconductor, consumer electronics, e-mobility and life sciences.”
Beyond the arts, Greatech is actively involved in initiatives that support education, environmental sustainability and social welfare. Tan says that they are particularly committed to initiatives that promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education.
“We are exploring opportunities to partner with schools and universities to support educational programmes and scholarship opportunities.”
He adds that the company is also interested in establishing digital libraries in schools to enhance students’ learning experiences, and in maintaining environmental sustainability. Greatech consistently participates in environmental clean-up events and supports green technology initiatives. “Pitch us a good idea on education, eco-friendly practices, or the preservation of natural resources, and let’s see how we can work together,” Tan offers.
With companies like Greatech actively investing in Penang’s talent ecosystem, the state is well-poised for innovation and creativity. Such initiatives not only help retain and attract skilled workforce and mitigate brain drain, they also contribute to the continued advancement of Penang’s manufacturing sector—one of Penang’s main revenue sources.