Lim Sau Hong
Masters in Chemical Engineering, Imperial College, London.
Joined ICI Paints in China :1996, currently working as Business Manager Modern Trade (Sales Dept) in Shanghai
So, what got you interested in chemical engineering?
I have always been interested in Chemistry and Physics and an Engineering career is perceived as a noble one in my Malaysian Chinese ethnic background. I guess it would have to be a combination of both the influences from my parents, and a personal interest in Science, that made me choose to study Chemical Engineering at University.
Why did you join ICI?
During my third year at Imperial College, I spent the summer holidays working on an internship at ICI Paints in Slough. I remember I was working on a SSHE project which put me in contact with people in Asia who we re in the process of building a new plant. It turned out to be a very good experience - and being able to play a part in a highly international business was an appealing element in my decision to work for ICI when I graduated.
Tell me about your career so far…
I joined ICI in 1996 in Malaysia, and worked as a Process Engineer responsible for maximising process efficiencies while minimising operation cost. My work was project based and combined a mixture of engineering and process technology. My second role was to lead the Quality Control operations, where I had my first experience at managing people.
Following that, an opportunity came up in China, for a Material Planning Manager. Being single, adventurous, and curious (about China), I jumped at it, and soon found myself living and working in a major city in the south - Guangzhou. After a year there, I moved up to Shanghai to run the Logistics operations at our site. This proved to be a challenging job, managing at team of 40+ people, while setting up 5 Regional Distributions Centres across the whole of China.
After this I wanted to move into a 'front-facing' role, and ICI gave me the opportunity to set up the Customer Relations Department - a 'one-stop-shop' Customer Contact Centre in Shanghai.
What do you do at the moment?
I have just newly joined the Sales Department, working in the Business Management of Modern Trade - the newly emerging sales channel in China - which essentially is home improvement centres, like Home Depot in US and B&Q in UK.
Do you have a lot of responsibility?
In 2004, we expect Modern Trade to account for 15% of China ICI Paints Sales - about $15m turnover. In the next few years, this business will double. Judging from the size of the business and the growth expectations, I think you'd agree that it is a lot of responsibility.
Tell me about the experiences you have had since you joined
I consider myself very lucky because of the breath of experiences working in ICI has allowed me - engineering, process, quality, technical, production, planning, logistics, customer service, and now sales. Throughout my career, I have had very good mentors who have been unselfish and have coached me through all these career changes.
Do you have a work-life balance? And what does 'life' involve?
My wife and son are with me in Shanghai, so I spend a lot of time with them outside of work. At weekends, I prefer to have dim-sum with family and friends, play a round of golf or simply watch movies or read, although as my son was born this year I do a lot more nappy changing than golfing during the weekends. Still, I can pride myself on adding baby sitting as a specialist skill on my CV.
What does the future hold for you?
China is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. I think the challenges and opportunities for both myself and the business are enormous. For the future, I want to continue my career in China and with ICI.
So overall, how has life been at ICI?
Colourful!
