Year 2006 marks the 25th anniversary
of Eastern Holdings Ltd (EHL), each passing year a testimony of
its solid reputation and strength as a respected publishing
company since its launch in November 1981. Known as Eastern
Publishing Associates Pte Ltd then, it entered into marketing
services in 1989 as part of its initial growth strategy. This
led to the organisation of exhibitions, seminars, tours and
other related services as it integrated its publications’
portfolio and expanded its business scope. Offices in Malaysia
and Hong Kong were set up to further promote its businesses
overseas. By 1995, the company’s name was changed to Eastern
Publishing Ltd (EPL) when it became a public limited company
listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
Mr. Stephen Tay Thian Boon, Chairman of the Group, has seen
the Company evolve from a two-titled Company (Asian Forestry
and Computer Era) into a multi-titled publishing Company
in the region. EPL offers a host of consumer and trade
magazines. Its roster of consumer titles, led by parenting
magazine Motherhood (English and Chinese editions),
include GOLF Tabloid, corporate travel magazine Frequent
Traveller, Motoring and Teens that most
readers have grown to recognise as EPL’s publications. These
magazines are found in the newsstands and bookstores while Golf
can be picked up for free at country clubs, driving ranges and
selected golf retail outlets around the island.
Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News (MEN), Asia
Pacific Food Industry (AP Food), FDM Asia and Industrial
Automation Asia are some of the regional trade titles that
are all established leaders in their own right and specialists
in their own fi -elds. The growth of these trade titles resulted
in the establishment of the Thai Trade & Industry Media Co Ltd,
a joint venture partnership in Thailand, which saw the launch of
a Thai version of Asia Pacific Metalworking Equipment News
and Asia Pacific Food Industry in mid-2003.
Moreover, MEN, AP Food and FDM are now available in e-book
versions for Internet savvy readers and professionals on the go.
And the Computer Era directory still remains the authoritative
guide IT professionals have come to trust and rely upon. Its
twin, Industrial Automation Directory, has been directed
to follow such a path.
The vision of providing value-rich publications and
connecting and enhancing its clients’ business remains strong
under the leadership of Mr. Tay. EPL provides its customers with
multiple ways of reaching their clients and prospects through
its media products and value-added sales and marketing efforts.
EPL plays host to mega-scale events such as Motherhood
Exhibition and Teens’ Model Search. Another
anticipated and well-received exhibition is COMEX,
Singapore’s most comprehensive computer and IT exhibition held
annually since 1994. The latest addition to its exhibition
portfolio is the Food Exhibition. On a smaller scale, but
not less in grandeur, are the golf carnivals and seminars,
motoring drive-aways and distribution of products in the
hospitals for new mothers.
EPL added another illustrious feather on its cap in October
04. The company officially changed its name to Eastern Holdings
Ltd (EHL) to refl ect its diversification into property-related
business. To date, EHL has purchased four properties in
Singapore for investment and development, and purchased nine
apartment units in Zhuhai, China for diversification and
investment purposes.