Cinema, Paint and Coatings... 🎥 During the Christmas period, in the workplace and professional environment, we tend to prepare ourselves for a more relaxed atmosphere in view of the upcoming holidays. For this reason, I would like to propose a light digression, telling how paints and coatings are deeply present in our daily lives, even appearing in many cinematic scenes. The relationship between cinema and paints is deeper than it may seem and reveals much about our human, cultural, and everyday background. Paints are not just technical materials: in cinema they become visual language, symbol, memory, and transformation . Their presence, often silent and secondary, is sealed in numerous iconic scenes that show how the use of paint is part of our lives and of the way we tell stories. In everyday life, paints protect, decorate, identify, and communicate. In cinema they perform the same functions, amplified by the power of storytelling. Think of the saturated colors of auteur f...
Singapore's richest man dies at 98:
Goh Cheng Liang's journey to Nippon Paint tycoon.
To most people the name Goh Cheng Liang means nothing.
Yet behind this name is one of Singapore’s richest men. Not a tech tycoon or a finance guru, but an entrepreneur who made his fortune… in paint. His story begins in poverty and ends with him controlling a global industrial empire, proving that even the most ordinary industries can hold extraordinary opportunities.
From poverty to his first can of paint
Born in 1927 in Singapore, Goh grew up in extreme poverty, sharing a single room with six other family members. His childhood was filled with odd jobs and the need to help support the family. During World War II, he sold fishing nets and later worked in a hardware store. He had no university degree and no starting capital, only determination and a curiosity about how materials worked.
In 1949 came the opportunity that would change his life. The British army auctioned off barrels of old, spoiled paint that nobody wanted. Goh bought them cheaply and, armed with a small tool and a Chinese chemistry dictionary, experimented until he found a way to restore the paint. This became the Pigeon Brand, and his ability to turn waste into quality products soon got attention.
The right idea at the right time
The Korean War brought import restrictions, creating a gap in the market that Goh filled with his locally made paint. In 1955, he opened his first shop and, in 1962, signed a deal that would define his future: becoming the Singapore distributor for Nippon Paint. This partnership later grew into the Nipsea Management Group joint venture, with Goh holding the majority share.
From distributor to global leader
In the years that followed, Goh didn’t just sell paint. He invested in research, development, and local production, turning Nipsea into a giant across Asia. In 1974, he founded Wuthelam Holdings, expanding into real estate and other businesses. In 2020, his company completed a deal worth about USD 12 billion, gaining majority control of Nippon Paint and securing its place as a global leader.
Today, Nippon Paint is one of the largest paint producers in the world, and much of that success can be traced back to Goh’s vision and strategy.
The man behind the empire
Despite a personal fortune estimated at USD 12–18 billion, Goh was known for his low profile. Few interviews, no public showmanship—he preferred to let results speak for themselves. People who knew him described him as practical, curious, and detail-oriented, able to see opportunities where others saw only problems.
Goh was also a generous philanthropist. Through the Goh Foundation, he funded hospitals, cancer research, education programs, and social projects across the region. One of his most notable contributions was supporting the creation of a Proton Therapy Centre for cancer treatment in Singapore.
A legacy that continues
Goh Cheng Liang passed away on August 12, 2025, at the age of 98. Today, his son Goh Hup Jin serves as chairman of Nippon Paint, carrying forward his father’s strategy of growth and innovation.
His life shows that entrepreneurship isn’t only for those with big capital or trendy industries. It’s built on three things: seeing value where others see waste, having the courage to invest in that vision, and the discipline to build over the long term.
The lesson from Goh Cheng Liang
In an age when many dream of tech start-ups becoming unicorns, Goh’s story reminds us that great fortunes can also come from seemingly “ordinary” sectors. The difference lies in vision, execution, and turning obstacles into opportunities.
From a barrel of spoiled paint to a global industrial empire, Goh Cheng Liang didn’t just add color to walls—he painted an entrepreneurial masterpiece built on ingenuity and perseverance, one that will inspire generations of business leaders.
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