Mr. Katar Singh Thakral
Born 1933 in Bangkok, Thailand, Kata is the chairman of Thakral Group of Companies. . His foresight and astute reading of the macro economic trends have continuously benefitted the Group. His knowledge and his excellent record in steering the business is credited for the astounding rise of the Group from a small textile shop to a multi-million-dollar international business. In 1996, Kartar was named Businessman of the Year 1995 at the Singapore Business Awards, while Thakral Brothers was named Singapore’s top privately held company at the Enterprise 50 awards for 1995. Kartar remains a key part of the decision-making process in the Group’s ventures.
Inspired by the Past, Driven by Progress.
Our journey started more than 110 years ago. We started as a humble retail business in 1905, the “Pubjab Store” in Bangkok. From textile to technology, from real estate to premium retirement resorts, from distribution to lifestyle and luxury products, we continue to be are guided by the ethos that have been established and lived by generations of the Thakral family.
1905
Humble beginnings as a textile shop named “Punjab Store” in Bangkok.
1936
Business expansion to Japan.
1960s
Ventures in Singapore and China at a time when the strategy of regionalisation was still at infancy for most companies, the Thakral family had already made inroads into foreign lands, which would later pave the way for the Group’s growth and diversification.
1972
Thakral Brothers Limited is incorporated in Osaka, Japan to facilitate the purchasing of textiles in Japan.
1973
The Group’s turning point. It ventured into consumer electronics in China, building on the network that was laid in the 1960s. This business has continued to grow and, today, the consumer electronics business in China contributes substantially to the Group’s turnover.
1986
First representative office is set up in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.
1990
Thakral Corporation (HK) Limited is incorporated and it takes over Thakral Hong Kong’s business in 1993.
1993
The Group establishes a representative office in Shanghai, PRC.
Thakral Corporation Singapore Pte Ltd is incorporated in Singapore and Mr Kartar Singh Thakral is appointed as its Executive Director.
1994
Thakral Corporation Singapore Pte Ltd is converted to a public company and undergoes name changes to Thakral Corporation Ltd (“the Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”).
1995
Mr. Kartar Singh Thakral is appointed as the Chairman of the Board.
The Company is listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Stock Exchange in the biggest listing of the year in Singapore, resulting in a market capitalization of over US$400 million (at the initial offer price).
2005
The Group shifts its operational headquarters in August to Shanghai from Hong Kong in order to be closer to its biggest market.
2010
The Group made its first real estate investment of A$2.75 million in October 2010 in a property project – Harbour One, Melbourne, Australia.
2011
A 51% owned subsidiary in Singapore, TCAP Pte Ltd is established for the purpose of acting as an intermediary and service entity which originates, negotiates and packages primarily real estate and incidental resource projects.
2012
Mr Natarajan Subramaniam is appointed as Non-Executive Chairman (Independent) of the Board on 1 January 2012. Mr Kartar Singh Thakral steps down as Executive Chairman on 1 January 2012 but continues as an Executive Director of the Company.
2013
Following a strategic review, the Group decides to shift the focus of its distribution business to beauty, wellness & lifestyle brands.
2014
Established Thakral Japan Properties Pte Ltd through which the Group acquires 2 commercial properties in Osaka, Japan’s second largest city – a start to building a portfolio of properties in Japan.
2015
Completion of merger of the investment division entities whereby the Group now holds 75% of Thakral Capital Holdings Pte Ltd.
Established a JV with Living Gems to enter into the resort style retirement living business.
A bespoke investment programme called the TCAP Australian Mezzanine Programme is established with Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited for investment in real estate projects in Australia.
2016
The Group expands its investment footprint in Japan by investing in a business hotel property, the Hotel Oaks Reaze Tsukamoto in Osaka, Japan.
Establishment of GemLife brand name for resort style retirement living under the JV with Living Gems and launch of our first 2 resorts in Bribie Island and Highfields, both in Queensland, Australia.
2017
Contracted to sell Hong Kong warehouse property at HK$420 million giving an estimated profit of S$34 million.
The GemLife resort style retirement living business expands beyond Queensland to Victoria and New South Wales, bringing the total number of homes under the GemLife umbrella to more than 1,000.
