FoodXervices Inc Pte Ltd was started by 2 off springs of a certain Ng family, who has been in the Food Distribution Trade for more than 70 years. While embracing the passion of what their grandfather started, they also realized that the business needed some boosts to accommodate modernization and to upkeep their image as a market leader.
We grew up in a family who has been passionate about the Food business. Having been exposed to a wide array of cuisines from a tender age, we had a built-in passion for food and were attracted to explore further into this interesting world of Foodservice. Most importantly, the food business is in our blood as we are the 3rd generation in this food distribution business.
Our grandfather Mr Ng Lim Song came to Singapore from Swatou,China shortly before World War 2 and started his family here. Arriving in Singapore armed with little, he started a trading business (Ng Chye Mong) dealing with Chinese Delicacies such as Sharks Fin and Abalone as well as Provisions like Canned and Dried goods. Business started in a humble shophouse along Rochor Road which was actually a popular location with Chinese Businessman of those days. Through his hard work, business picked up in the 1960's, coinciding with the flourishing of chinese restuarants in Singapore. Our Grandfather was also a pioneer of his time, introducing products like Pacific Clams from Chile and Quail's Eggs from Malaysia which were virtually unknown ingredients to locals back then.
Our grandfather also sold "Soya Sauce Duck" made from his secret recipe and our Grandmother's fabulous culinary skills. This dish became so popular that it was sold out everyday! Each duck was sold for more than $25.00, and with this being the 60's it was considered very extravagant!
Our Grandfather was also a disciplined and thrifty man with strong family values.He would make his sons pick up the rafia strings from the ground to save money. Each and every bean that fell to the ground had to be picked up too as he understood the value and importance of money. You might be wondering how deliveries were conducted during this time when motor vehicles were in their infancy and were expensive. Our Grandfather would get his sons and staff to send products via bicycles, be it a bottle of soya sauce or one soya sauce duck.
WIth this being said, he was a generous man towards his customers, even treating them to a bottle of "Green Spot" soft drink (one of the most popular soft drinks during that time) whenever they dropped by his shop.
Our grandfather's customer base ranged from the coffeeshop round the corner and new chinese restaurants to Rich Tai Tais who would travel in their big cars from around the island just to shop at Ng Chye Mong. It was an interesting sight.
Alas, Our grandfather passed away in the mid 70s, even before our parents were married. With his demise, the business also saw the dawn of a new era. All his sons who were helping in his business saw new opportunities in the western food business which was closely tied to the booming hotel trade in the 70s. With the industrialisation of Singapore, there was also an untapped market for western products whereas the Chinese Provision business was getting saturated and competitive. Moreover, the 2nd generation of the business saw the need to move away from the "corruption" which was usually linked to Chinese Restaurants. Moving to a completely unknown territory, they found themselves starting the business literally from scratch by learning from the products found at Supermarkets of the 70s. In the 80's and 90's,Ng Chye Mong saw rapid growth as hotels and the western restaurants became more popular.
In the late 1990's, the business weathered some terrible storms which nearly caused the company to be completely wiped out. Every competitor waited eagerly for the company to crumble as it meant a bigger piece of the pie for the rest. Believing in what our grandfather started and armed with a never dying passion, the brothers and the company hung on and the business survived their darkest days.
However,with the new millenium, the business faced new challenges with modernisation and succession issues. The traditional ways of trading and distribution were also becoming obsolete in today's fast paced world. Besides, the food distribution business is a tedious business which is not exactly attractive to the younger crowd.
In 2007, we felt that it was time to bring our grandfather's legacy to a new level and hence, we established FoodXervices Inc to take over the family business. Not contented with merely a facelift, we made significant changes to the structure of this age old business. FoodXervices Inc is not just a name change but a completely new "vessel" which will enable us to take our family business to new heights.
While the Facade of FoodXervices Inc is fresh and modern, we keep the many values our grandfather handed down very close to our hearts. The passion for food, for quality, for our customers and the ever evolving food business continues to drive our vision till this day.