Scanteak: A Top Ten Innovative Company in Singapore

Singapore-based Scanteak began when the world was in an early technological revolution. Astronauts first walked on the moon in 1969, and the optimism of that feat carried into the next decade. In 1974, Scanteak founder Lim Pok Chin started his business in a four-hundred-square-foot office in Joo Chiat, Singapore. Originally named Hawaii Interior Decoration, the company initially specialized in painting houses before transitioning into furniture distribution.

In the first two years, the business expanded to two showrooms. In the late 1970s, despite facing severe challenges during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations financial crisis, the founders persisted, transitioning to the import and export of furniture and incorporating as Hawaii Furnishings in 1979.

In 1988, to address the need for a distinct brand identity, Scanteak was officially launched. The name is short for “Scandinavian-inspired teak furnishing.”

Mr. Lim recognized the potential of combining the functionality and minimalist design of Scandinavian aesthetics with the durability of teak wood, a key southeast Asian resource.

As a graduate of the College of Environment Science and Forestry, I recognize the choice of teak as brilliant. Teak wood (Tectona grandis) is a premium, highly durable tropical hardwood prized for its extreme water resistance, high natural oil content, and stability. It features a golden-brown color, straight grain, and a leathery scent. Teak is popular for outdoor furniture, boat decks, and indoor flooring due to its high resistance to rot, pests, and weathering. The teak tree grows up to 130 feet and has a diameter of 3 to 5 feet. Teak trees are typically harvested for high-quality timber between 25 and 40 years old, though premium "Grade A" timber often comes from trees from 50 to 70 years old. Older trees (40 to 100+ years) offer superior density.

In 1993, Scanteak expanded to Taiwan, which became its first significant overseas market. In 2004, the second-generation leadership of Jamie Lim, daughter of the founder, began. She first joined the company to lead regional marketing and later became CEO.

By 2010, the company reached one hundred showrooms. It expanded into markets in Brunei, Germany, and the United States. The company focused on sustainability. Beginning in 2014, Scanteak intensified its commitment to sustainability, sourcing teak from certified, legal plantations in Indonesia under the SVLK compliance system.

Today, the Scanteak Group operates over 200 stores globally, including a strong presence in Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.

As Scanteak celebrates fifty-two years in business, Consumers in Motion Group measured Scanteak Group based on its Intelligent Engagement Index^©.

We developed the Intelligent Engagement Index^© by conducting extensive field research into the business characteristics that most directly influence sales, consumer engagement, and innovation.

During this work, the principals of Consumers in Motion Group identified eight factors that in combination govern retailer revenue performance: the human touch, the use of technology, store design, brand story, employee training, the ability to change, unique value proposition, and shopper safety.

While no single company exemplifies all eight factors, Scanteak achieves its success and deserves its designation as a Consumers in Motion Top Ten Innovative Company in Singapore by demonstrating the ability to change, an interesting brand story, and unique value proposition.