History and Milestones
Khai Wah Battery and Tyre Pte Ltd (“Khai Wah”) is one of Singapore’s most
established automotive battery, tyre and wheel companies. Started by brothers
Goh Khai Poh and Goh Kai See in 1950, Khai Wah began as a small bicycle and car
battery shop along Rochor Canal Road (presently where Sim Lim Square is).
1950s: During this period, Singapore prospered and benefited from increased
trade with Malaysia. Since the shop was along Bukit Timah Road – the main
trading route that connected Singapore to Malaysia – the Goh Brothers astutely
decided to focus solely on cars, seeking after business opportunities in the
passenger car tyre and automotive batteries trade.
Khai Wah started selling Firestone tyres from the U.S and Exide batteries
from Great Britain . Because of Khai Wah’s success in selling their brand,
Firestone Tyres appointed the company as the sole distributor in
Singapore.
1960s: Bridgestone appointed Khai Wah as a local dealer for passenger car
tyres.
1970s: Khai Wah was one of the pioneers for automotive alloy wheels in
Singapore , being the sole distributor of ROH (Australia) wheels for Singapore,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand, during a time when alloy wheels were
seen as a luxury car accessory.
Khai Wah also picked up the sole distributorship for Dunlop (UK) alloy
wheels. It was significant for Khai Wah as Dunlop was already a household name
in Southeast Asia.
1990s: Khai Wah clinched a deal with Toyota Cars Singapore to supply
Fondmetal alloy rims as OE wheels for Toyota cars from 1990 to 1995.
2000s: Bridgestone Tyre Sales Pte Ltd’s awarded Khai Wah as one of its top
dealers for consecutive years from 2002 to 2006.
Khai Wah was appointed as sole distributor for Uniroyal tyres in
2005.
Presently, the company is being managed by Florence, Fred, Donny and Eric.
