Stamford Tyres founder Wee Kok Wah dies at 78

Mr Wee Kok Wah, founder of publicly listed company Stamford Tyres, died on Oct 21 after battling stomach cancer. He was 78.

- Lee Nian Tjoe

After joining his father's company in 1970, Mr Wee secured distribution rights for Japanese and German tyre brands, and grew the petrol station and tyre shop business into one of the largest tyre and wheel distributors in the region.

Besides representing various brands, Mr Wee also started a wheel-making factory in Thailand and created Stamford's own brand of alloy wheels and tyres, which are sold globally.

In Singapore, he set up a network of motor workshops and generous and loved "living the business".

"I imagine he would have lived the same life if he had to do it again. I will miss him," Mr Ler added.

Mr Wee's father, Mr Wee Boon Kwee, started Stamford Motor Service as a petrol station and tyre shop business in Stamford Road in the 1930s.

The younger Mr Wee joined the business after graduating from the University of Singapore, now known as NUS.