Sin Hiap Mui has got you covered

When the COVID-19 epidemic broke out in Singapore, the employees of tentage and events logistics provider Sin Hiap Mui were ready for action, just as they were during the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Said Mr Ronnie Oh, director of Sin Hiap Mui: “When the company was informed of the possible resource activation, our staff planned the logistics such that deployment could be quick and efficient. At the time of activation, there was more than one site to be readied, so our operations and on-site manager had to study the sites and brief the installation teams.”

Sin Hiap Mui set up various tentages efficiently to meet the needs of health screening and other COVID-related operations. With the need to segregate groups of foreign workers living in dormitories, the company set up temporary shelters to house them, including temporary air-conditioned tents at Guillemard Camp. Within a short time, Sin Hiap Mui also completed the construction of a tentage used as a swabbing station at Changi Airport Terminal 3 that was angled to accommodate the existing building's structure. 

Besides the standard regulatory requirements regarding fire and electrical safety, the company also had to contend with other stipulations – such as safe distancing practices and the need for additional resources – that required another layer of consideration and assessment. They had to set up tentages that met all these requirements as quickly as possible.

“As our business has been around for over 40 years, the senior staff know where to obtain the additional resources needed,” said Mr Oh. “It was teamwork within the company and with our business friends, who have been with us for many years. It was rewarding for all to be able to contribute during such times. Our workers will be proud to share stories with their children that they were frontline workers for Singapore.”

EQUIPPED FOR ANY EVENT

Sin Hiap Mui has been a significant part of Singaporean events since its inception, having provided tentages for functions ranging from the glamorous Singapore Grand Prix to heartland parties such as the 2010 National Day neighbourhood parade in Bishan. Its tentages have hosted numerous pasar malams, private celebrations and corporate events. Mr Oh, who also founded Sin Hiap Mui, said the company saw generations grow and the local tentage industry evolve over the years.  

One of its most memorable projects was in 2017, when the company stepped up to provide a free, temporary wet market tentage worth S$600,000 after a fire gutted the original market at Block 493, Jurong West Street 41. The tentage allowed stallholders, many of whom had lost all their stalls and goods, to continue operating.

Responding quickly to community emergency requests – whether for an epidemic or a fire – is second nature to Sin Hiap Mui. Mr Oh explained: “We are logistically prepared as we have ample stock and an efficient production line. Our workers are prepared as they have built many tentages of various sizes. We have on-site managers, who are problem-solvers, to overcome issues alongside our clients.”

INNOVATING TRADITION

While Sin Hiap Mui continues to satisfy requests for traditional tentages, it has an eye on the future with its patented construction safety and tentage operation innovations (patent number 1021403424X).

To reduce the amount of climbing needed,  Mr Oh conceived the idea of building a tent on the ground – including installing lights, fans and decorations – before lifting the entire structure to the required height.

“Operating at increased height has its risks, and I wanted to solve the problem without compromising efficiency,” said Mr Oh. “Research and development (R&D) is important to our company so that we do not remain stagnant. It makes work efficient and allows for quick turnarounds so that more clients can be served.”

Staying abreast of evolving customer needs, the company is the only one in Singapore to bring in quality RÖTents from Germany, which are engineered to have no beams in the middle of the canopy. This makes them faster and easier to build while enhancing their appearance.

“For customers, fewer beams mean more space and no restriction as to where they place a booth, catering counters or stages. RÖTents are also beautiful, grand and attention-grabbing from afar due to their distinctively stretched canopies,” said Mr Oh.

After so many years in business, Sin Hiap Mui hopes to bring its world-class tentage products and love of the craft to a new generation of customers and employees. It plans to continue investing in R&D as well as upgrading its operation staff.

Mr Oh said: “Some of our staff have been with the company for decades and they are like family to me. Few young people choose to enter this industry. Although it is a challenge to retain and attract talent, tentages are still in demand because there will always be uncovered areas and temporary shelters to build. While it’s a lot of hard work, it is fun and exciting to see a majestic tentage built and ready for an event.”

To engage Sin Hiap Mui for your tentage needs, call 9694 9694 (24 hours) or visit tentagesg.com.