Edward Tan, Executive Director, Hong Seh Company

As Executive Director of Hong Seh Company since 2000, Edward Tan has been with Hong Seh Motors since 1997. Riding on the recent announcement of the company’s business achievements, the self-effacing but affable Edward chimes in that the credos and accolades of brands such as Maserati should be attributed to his father Mr Alfred Tan who is the current Managing Director for Hong Seh.

For the past 20 years, Edward has been hard at work in building the brand, planning and strategising the marketing and promotional efforts of the brand locally. In 2008, Edward decided to diversify the business and started Hong Seh’s Marine division. Hard work, passion and perseverance paid off and today, the Marine division of Hong Seh Company is lauded for representing the biggest and most iconic yacht builders in the world – Ferretti Yachts, Riva and Pershing, to name a few. Part of this yachting portfolio also includes established boating brands such as Cranchi Yachts, Boston Whaler, and Bayliner. Indubitably, Edward has an unsurprising passion for cars and races the Maserati Trofeo during his leisure time. His other luxurious pursuits include collecting horological instruments, fine dining, golfing, photography, and of course, boating. Yacht Style (YS) magazine spends 20 minutes with Edward Tan (ET) on what makes him tick and his opinions about Hong Seh Marine’s record sale

YS: Share with us how you feel about this increase in sales?

ET: 2018 has been a kind year for Hong Seh Marine as we celebrate 10 years of marine excellence. Hong Seh Marine started because we wanted to bring a higher level of service to local yacht owners who were underserved. I am very proud of our team because this commendable sale reflects their hard work and commitment – for our clients, we have gone above and beyond. The company sold two yachts within 30 days of the Singapore Yacht show, compared to none sold during last year’s show. The two sold were a Riva 76 and a Boston Whaler 315.

YS: What are the firm’s upcoming plans in the next 2 to 5 years?

ET: For the next two to five years, Hong Seh Marine aims to expand our presence in Indonesia, with the opening of its new office in Jakarta, Indonesia. The new office will offer services such as sales and brokerage, after sales management, crewing and full yacht management. This will be a continuation of our services which we already provide in Singapore. Looking further ahead, we also plan to open offices in Phuket, with the upcoming new Phuket Marina project led by ONE ̊15 Degree Marina, set to transform the Cape Panwa Peninsular at Ao Markham; and Johor, Malaysia, in the Kota Iskandar residential zone in Nusajaya, with the opening of the Puteri Harbour of Iskandar Puteri, another ONE ̊15 Marina supported project

Riva 76 Perseo Main Deck

YS: What do you think the Asian yachting industry is lacking and can be improved?

ET: The South East Asian yachting scene has been growing rapidly with marinas in Singapore at almost full capacity. This region has much to offer both yachting and diving aficionados, from diverse marine life in the Philippines to pristine beaches in Indonesia. Sadly, infrastructure and proper marinas are lacking in these countries currently. I hope to see that change as the yachting lifestyle gains popularity across the region.

Boston Whaler 315 – image from Boston Whaler

YS: Share with us more about the partnership with Pacific Radiance

ET: There are pockets of yachting destinations for superyachts in Asia, but in order to cater to the expanding number of clients, the region must develop facilities for possible service repairs. Singapore, being a regional maritime hub, is geographically suited for a superyacht shipyard. Our partnership with Pacific Radiance will establish Hong Seh Marine as an authority in the yachting industry in South East Asia – offering our customers a one-stop superyacht management service from sale to repairs.

YS: How do you define today’s yachting customers?

ET: Customers who enjoy the yachting lifestyle treasure experiences out on the open water. A yacht is not a status symbol for them; it is the freedom of being with their family and friends out at sea – momentarily leaving behind their busy lives – that they truly value.

For more information: www.hongsehmarine.com.sg