Toil and struggle over, he's now the 'ice cream uncle'

Local SME founder Peter Kwang reflects on how a longstanding banking partnership enables him to focus on what matters most: Being a grandfather and supporting underprivileged children

- By CHARMAINE LIM

There was singing. There was dancing. And there were gifts. In the midst of it all, the ice cream uncle from Singapore.

It was December 2023, and about 100 children from the school Yayasan Perisai Kasih were gathered in an assembly hall in Batam to celebrate the year-end holidays.

The man who made it possible: Mr Peter Kwang, founder and managing director of Singapore-based Atlantac Industrial Services, fondly known to the children as "ice cream uncle".

The children were from an Indonesian charity that provides free education for underprivileged children aged between four and six.

Also enjoying the revelry: Ms Wendy Low, branch manager of UOB's Tai Seng outlet, with three colleagues from Singapore and two from the bank's Batam branch.

"We bought tidbits and coloured pencils to give to the children at the party," recalls Ms Low, 48, "and they were really happy".

They weren't there for a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. The visit stemmed from something more personal a longstanding relationship with a client that spans nearly three decades.

Since 2023, the 68-year-old Singaporean businessman has been supporting the school by helping to pay for school uniforms, buses to transport the students and sweet treats like ice cream every quarterly visit.

"One of the reasons why I support them is because these kids aren't just poor; they're hungry too," says Mr Kwang, noting that the school provides the children with a free meal each day.

The charity work is an extension of his relationship with UOB as a customer since 1997. It is a business partnership that has seen him go from business uncertainty to profitability - and the ability to do some good.

28 years of support

Mr Kwang started Atlantac Industrial Services in 1997 after spotting a market gap in specialised cleaning services. Today, the 60-strong company serves 30 clients, mainly in the semiconductor industry.