Core Insights - The article discusses the legacy of Wu Qingliang, the founder of Nippon Paint, who passed away in August 2025, and highlights his significant contributions to the paint industry, particularly in Singapore and China [1][3]. Company Overview - Nippon Paint was established as a joint venture in 1962 and has grown to dominate the Southeast Asian paint market, with Wu Qingliang successfully acquiring full control from Japanese partners over two decades [4][7]. - The company has undergone several strategic transformations, evolving from a paint manufacturer to a comprehensive service provider in the painting solutions sector [5][6]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Nippon Paint reported a revenue of approximately 415 billion yuan, a 4.3% increase year-on-year, with a net profit of about 42.61 billion yuan, reflecting a robust growth of 34.4% [16][18]. - The company’s Japanese market saw a revenue increase of 3.5%, while the European and American markets faced challenges, with revenues declining by 5.0% and 4.8%, respectively [17][18]. Market Strategy - Nippon Paint has positioned China as a key growth engine, despite a 12.6% decline in revenue, the operating profit in China grew by 7.7% [18][20]. - The company has invested over 400 billion yuan in various projects in China since 2018, focusing on expanding its production capacity in the architectural paint sector [20][22]. Mergers and Acquisitions - The company has actively pursued acquisitions to enhance its market presence, including significant purchases in Australia, Malaysia, and Europe, which have contributed positively to its financial performance [12][13][28]. - Nippon Paint's acquisition strategy is characterized by a focus on high-growth regions and sectors, aiming to integrate and optimize its operations across different markets [28][29]. Industry Position - As of 2025, Nippon Paint ranked fourth among the world's top paint companies, with a revenue of 10.745 billion USD, marking a 13.6% growth [26][30]. - The company has maintained a strong competitive edge through innovative business models and a focus on sustainability, positioning itself as a leader in the paint industry [23][24].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the life and achievements of Wu Qingliang, the founder of the Wu Nande Group and the father of Nippon Paint, emphasizing his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a billionaire and a significant player in the paint industry [4][60]. Group 1: Wu Qingliang's Early Life and Career - Wu Qingliang, born in a poor family in Chaozhou, started working at the age of 14 to support his family, eventually earning enough to start a soda factory at 18, which failed after a year [30][32][33]. - He transitioned to selling paint, where he found success by repurposing expired government paint, leading to his first significant profits during the Korean War [39][40]. Group 2: Establishment of Nippon Paint - In 1962, Wu Qingliang established a joint venture with Nippon Paint, gaining control of 60% of the newly formed company, which allowed him to expand into Southeast Asia [10][12]. - The brand "Nippon Paint" was created in 1990, inspired by the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, with Wu Qingliang as the actual owner [15][16]. Group 3: Strategic Moves and Market Expansion - Wu Qingliang's strategic focus on the paint industry led to significant market expansion, particularly in China after the reform and opening-up policy [48][51]. - By 2021, the Nippon Paint Group achieved revenues of $8.642 billion, ranking fourth globally in the paint industry, with a strong potential to surpass AkzoNobel in the near future [60]. Group 4: Legacy and Philanthropy - Wu Qingliang has contributed significantly to his hometown through various philanthropic efforts, including building schools and hospitals, aiming to leave a positive legacy [60].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the life and achievements of Wu Qingliang, the founder of the Wu Nande Group and the father of Nippon Paint, emphasizing his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a billionaire and a significant player in the paint industry [4][28]. Group 1: Wu Qingliang's Early Life and Career - Wu Qingliang was born in a poor family in Singapore and started working at a young age to support his family [13][17]. - He initially ventured into the beverage industry but faced failure, leading him to work in a hardware store where he began selling paint [15][17]. - In 1949, he established a small paint workshop, capitalizing on surplus paint from the government, which marked the beginning of his successful career in the paint industry [17][19]. Group 2: Establishment and Growth of Nippon Paint - Wu Qingliang partnered with Nippon Paint in Japan, gaining access to their brand and technology, which allowed him to establish a strong foothold in the Southeast Asian paint market [6][9]. - In 1962, he founded the Lisheng Group in partnership with Nippon Paint, gaining majority control and expanding operations across Southeast Asia [7][9]. - The brand "Luban" was created in 1990, inspired by the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, further solidifying Wu's influence in the paint industry [9][10]. Group 3: Strategic Moves and Market Expansion - Wu Qingliang strategically sold off other business interests to focus on the paint industry, believing in its long-term potential [19][26]. - He invested heavily in advertising and marketing for Nippon Paint in China, overcoming initial market challenges and establishing it as a leading brand [23][26]. - By 2021, the Nippon Paint Group achieved revenues of $8.642 billion, ranking fourth globally in the paint industry, with ambitions to surpass AkzoNobel [27][28]. Group 4: Legacy and Philanthropy - Wu Qingliang has donated significantly to educational and healthcare initiatives in his hometown, reflecting his commitment to giving back to the community [21][28]. - He has transitioned leadership to his son, Wu Xue Ren, while enjoying retirement and focusing on personal interests [27][28]. - Wu's journey from a poor worker to a billionaire is seen as a remarkable business legend, inspiring future generations [28].

"亚洲油漆大王"走了。 8月12日，吴德南控股集团创始人、新加坡首富吴清亮去世，享年98岁。 这位新加坡著名华商，低调谦逊，几十年来除了公益活动，极少公开露面，接受媒体采访的次数更是屈 指可数。外界对他的名字或许比较陌生，但他创立的品牌——立邦漆，在中国家喻户晓。 吴清亮祖籍广东潮州，生长于新加坡。他出身贫寒，白手起家，一手创办立时集团及立邦品牌，立时集 团现在已发展成为全球排名第四、亚太第一的涂料制造与服务商，业务遍布全球。吴清亮也被称为"亚 洲油漆大王"。 2025年5月，吴清亮以净值130亿美元（约934亿元人民币）的个人财富，登上《福布斯》全球富豪榜第 182位，在新加坡排第一。 一、"走运"的首富 早年间，吴清亮靠油漆制造、买卖起家。回溯过往，他称只靠简单的两个字——"走运"。 1927年，吴清亮出生于新加坡，年少时家中贫寒，一家五口挤在贫民窟的一间小房里。他的小学生涯是 在潮汕商人捐建的端蒙学校度过的。 1941年，战火燃至新加坡，刚上中学的吴清亮被迫辍学。父亲将他送到马来西亚麻坡附近亲戚家的一个 胶园割胶，兼做小商店学徒。不久后，他又回到了新加坡。 15岁左右，他开始做渔网制作和买卖生意，后来转 ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the remarkable journey of the Wu Qingliang family in taking control of Nippon Paint Holdings, positioning the new Nippon group as the fourth largest paint company globally, with the potential to surpass AkzoNobel in the near future [4][62]. Group 1: Background of Wu Qingliang - Wu Qingliang, the founder of Nippon Paint, built a significant business empire from scratch, becoming Singapore's richest person with a fortune exceeding 140 billion RMB [5]. - The collaboration between Wu Qingliang and Nippon Paint Holdings dates back to 1950 when he sought to leverage their brand and technology for market expansion in Southeast Asia [9][10]. Group 2: Development of Nippon Paint - Wu Qingliang established the Lihua Group in 1962, gaining a 60% controlling stake, which allowed him to expand rapidly into neighboring Southeast Asian markets [11][12]. - The brand "Nippon" was created in 1990, inspired by the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, with Wu Qingliang as the actual owner of the brand [14][15]. Group 3: Shareholding Battles - A power struggle ensued between Wu Qingliang's family and Nippon Paint Holdings, with significant moves made by both sides to gain control over the joint ventures [16][18]. - By 2020, Wu Qingliang's family secured over 50% of Nippon Paint Holdings, effectively gaining absolute control and elevating the company's global ranking in the paint industry [24][25]. Group 4: Financial Performance and Future Outlook - In 2021, the Nippon group reported revenues of $8.642 billion, ranking fourth in the industry, with a narrowing gap of less than $2 billion from AkzoNobel [62]. - The article suggests that with the current growth trajectory, Nippon Paint is likely to surpass AkzoNobel within the next couple of years, solidifying its position among the top three paint companies globally [62].

Core Points - Goh Cheng Liang, the founder of the Goh Cheng Liang Group and major shareholder of Nippon Paint, passed away at the age of 98 on August 12 [3] - He was born in 1927 in Singapore and was of Chinese descent, specifically from Chaozhou, Guangdong Province [3][7] - Goh Cheng Liang became Singapore's richest person in 2021 with a wealth of 142 billion yuan [5][6] Background and Early Life - Goh Cheng Liang came from humble beginnings and faced numerous challenges throughout his life, ultimately transforming his circumstances through determination and hard work [4] - His parents were from Guangdong and moved to Singapore during a tumultuous period, leading to a difficult upbringing [12][14] Career Development - At 18, Goh started a small soda factory, which failed after a year, but he learned valuable lessons from the experience [16] - He transitioned to selling paint, where he gained extensive knowledge about the industry, eventually leading to the founding of his own paint brand [17][19] - Goh capitalized on the post-war market by purchasing surplus paint, which he repurposed and sold under the brand "Dove Paint," achieving significant market success [21][22] Business Expansion - In 1962, he partnered with a leading Japanese paint company to establish "Nippon Paint," which rapidly expanded across Southeast Asia [24] - Goh's brand "Nippon" became synonymous with quality paint in the region, and he strategically invested in China after diplomatic relations were established in 1990 [25][27] Philanthropy and Legacy - Goh Cheng Liang was deeply committed to his roots, contributing over 100 million yuan to his hometown for infrastructure and educational projects [29][33] - His philanthropic efforts included building schools, hospitals, and other facilities, significantly improving the local community [31][34] - Goh's life story exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and dedication to both personal success and community welfare [38]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the life and achievements of Wu Qingliang, a self-made billionaire known as the "Asian Paint King," who built a vast paint empire from humble beginnings in Singapore, emphasizing his contributions to the industry and his philanthropic efforts in China [3][5][12]. Group 1: Background and Early Life - Wu Qingliang was born in 1927 in Singapore to a poor family and started working at the age of 14, initially selling fishing nets and later venturing into various businesses [7][8]. - He founded a small paint workshop in 1949 after gaining experience as a paint salesman, eventually creating his own brand of paint called "Dove Paint" [8][9]. Group 2: Business Expansion and Achievements - Wu Qingliang established the Nippon Paint Group in partnership with a Japanese company in 1962, which led to rapid expansion in the Asian paint market [15]. - The company, now known as Nippon Paint, has become a leading paint manufacturer and service provider globally, ranking fourth in the world [9][12]. - As of 2024, the company has built 74 production bases in China, employing nearly 11,000 people [9][20]. Group 3: Capital Battles and Corporate Governance - The article details a long-standing capital struggle between Wu Qingliang's family and Nippon Paint Holdings, which involved various strategic maneuvers over decades [14][18]. - Wu Qingliang's family successfully regained control of the company through a series of stock exchanges and acquisitions, culminating in Wu's son becoming the chairman of Nippon Paint Holdings in 2018 [18]. Group 4: Philanthropy and Legacy - Wu Qingliang invested over 100 million RMB in building infrastructure in his hometown, including hospitals and schools, demonstrating his commitment to giving back to the community [19][20]. - His legacy is marked by his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his roots, inspiring many in the business world [20].

Group 1 - The article highlights the life and achievements of Wu Qingliang, the founder of the Wu Nande Group, who passed away at the age of 98, and emphasizes his significant contributions to the paint industry, particularly as the father of Nippon Paint [1] - Wu Qingliang built a business empire from scratch, becoming the richest person in Singapore with a wealth exceeding 140 billion RMB, and was known for his strategic acquisitions, including a major purchase of a century-old Japanese conglomerate [1][68] - The article discusses the long-standing relationship and competition between Wu Qingliang's family and Nippon Paint Holdings, detailing the complex history of their partnership and eventual control over the company [3][19][30] Group 2 - Wu Qingliang's journey began in 1950 when he traveled to Japan to seek a partnership with Nippon Paint, which led to the establishment of a joint venture in Singapore [4][9] - The establishment of the Lisheng Group in 1962 marked a significant turning point, as Wu Qingliang gained control over 60% of the company, allowing him to expand into Southeast Asian markets [10][12] - The article outlines Wu Qingliang's strategic focus on the paint industry, emphasizing his decision to divest from other businesses to concentrate resources on developing the Nippon brand in China after the country opened up [50][62][66] Group 3 - The article notes that by 2021, the Nippon Group achieved revenues of $8.642 billion, ranking fourth in the global paint industry, with a potential to surpass AkzoNobel in the near future [67] - Wu Qingliang's family now holds over 50% of Nippon Paint Holdings, solidifying their control and enhancing the company's market position [30][68] - The narrative concludes with Wu Qingliang's philanthropic efforts in his hometown, reflecting his desire to leave a positive legacy [69]

Group 1 - Wu Qingliang, the founder of Wu De Nan Group and major shareholder of Nippon Paint Singapore, passed away peacefully at the age of 98 on August 12 [1] - Wu Qingliang was listed as the only billionaire from the paint industry in Singapore with a personal wealth of $10.4 billion (738 billion RMB) on the 2024 Forbes Singapore Rich List [1] - In May of this year, Wu Qingliang's net worth reached $13 billion (approximately 934 billion RMB), ranking him 182nd on the Forbes Global Billionaires List and making him the richest person in Singapore [1] Group 2 - Wu Qingliang was born in 1927 in Singapore and originated from Dawang Village in Chaoan District, Guangdong Province, China [1] - He founded the company Lisheng Group and the Nippon brand, starting from humble beginnings [1] - In 1990, following the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Wu Qingliang was inspired to name his paint brand "Nippon" [1] - Lisheng Group registered its first company in China in 1992, becoming one of the early multinational enterprises to enter the Chinese market [1] - The headquarters of Nippon Paint China is located in Shanghai, with over 70 production bases and nearly 11,000 employees in China [1] Group 3 - Wu Qingliang followed his mother's teachings to contribute to his hometown, making numerous visits to Dawang Village and donating over 100 million RMB for infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, hospitals, power plants, and water plants [1] - His last visit to his hometown occurred in June 2024, accompanied by family [1]