Sewing Machines To Machine Learning
The CEO Magazine Asia|January 2019

Brothers Philip And Lawrence Tsang First Began Their Clothing Manufacturing Company Dakota Industrial With Barely 20 Sewing Machines. Now It’s A Thriving Business That Counts Swedish Retail Giant H&M Among Its Major Partners.

Sharon Masige
Sewing Machines To Machine Learning

When starting your own business, there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration. “It’s about multitasking in every different aspect of the business,” Dakota Industrial Co-Founder Philip Tsang says. “You have to know about each department and every part of the business if you want to be successful.”

Philip highlights that, as a business leader, your employees are critical. “People are always the most essential and valuable part of the business,” he continues, “You need to adopt a good leadership style and a heart for the company. You have to care for everyone and stick together. Other than that, it’s important to understand the business, the market and the industry at large.”

Most importantly, Philip says that when you start a business, you need a clear picture of what you’re doing and take opportunities as they arise. “You have to be brave enough to take a chance,” he continues. “Once the chance comes, there might be quite a lot of points you need to consider, but you also have to be confident and grab it.” These insights from Philip come after owning and operating a business for more than 40 years.

THE FIRST STITCH

Philip, together with his brother Lawrence, established the first Dakota Industrial garment factory in 1979, beginning with just 20 sewing machines in a tiny industrial building. After nearly a decade of growing and refining the family business, the brothers founded their next garment factory in China. “It was quite hard to find an operator in Hong Kong,” Philip recalls. “One of the problems was that manufacturing wasn’t really focused on. At the time, China was going through some economic changes and we thought it was a good chance for business expansion.”

This story is from the January 2019 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2019 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CEO MAGAZINE ASIAView All
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
The CEO Magazine Asia

Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox

After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
The CEO Magazine Asia

They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do

CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Maverick Unicorn
The CEO Magazine Asia

Maverick Unicorn

Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
''Increase The Velocity''
The CEO Magazine Asia

''Increase The Velocity''

Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
Device Manager
The CEO Magazine Asia

Device Manager

Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Going Antiviral
The CEO Magazine Asia

Going Antiviral

Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Risk Vs Return
The CEO Magazine Asia

Risk Vs Return

Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Expect The Unexpected
The CEO Magazine Asia

Expect The Unexpected

For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
The Ultimate Investments
The CEO Magazine Asia

The Ultimate Investments

With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
The Future Of Fintech
The CEO Magazine Asia

The Future Of Fintech

Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2021