With the recent passing of its founder, Wee Kok Wah, questions arose about the future direction of Stamford Tyres. To address these concerns, The Tyreman spoke with Ivan Reijan, General Manager of Stamford Tyres Malaysia Sdn Bhd, who emphasised the company’s robust leadership structure and unwavering commitment to its values.
Ivan highlighted the pivotal role of Dawn Wee Wai Ying, spouse of the late founder, who was a Director of the Stamford Tyres Group since 1982. On 1st November, 2024, Dawn stepped into the role of Executive Chairman, bringing decades of experience, passion and a clear vision for the company.
“Dawn is instrumental in shaping Stamford Tyres into what it is today — an international enterprise excelling in tyre and wheel distribution, retailing and manufacturing. As Executive Chairman, she provides strategic direction and dynamic leadership while honouring her late husband’s legacy. Her determination and vision position her to lead the company to its next chapter of growth,” Ivan explained.
Dawn’s qualifications included a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Economics from the University of Singapore, complemented by eight years of experience in banking before co-founding Stamford Tyres. Her long-standing relationship with stakeholders and her instrumental role in the company’s public listing in 1991 underscored her capability to steer the company forward.
Leadership Continuity and Strategic Growth
Ivan pointed out that the leadership continuity was carefully planned. The late founder stepped down from the Board in November 2021 to take on an advisory role. Leadership continuity was further solidified with the appointment of seasoned executives.
Conson Sia, with more than 30 years at Stamford Tyres, became Group Chief Executive Officer on 1st February, 2023. Sia previously held key roles as Group Chief Financial Officer (2001–2013) and head of operations in South Africa (2013–2019) and Malaysia (2019–2023). Additionally, Clare Law, another 30-year veteran, was appointed Group Chief Operating Officer in November 2024.
“Law would work closely with Conson to ensure smooth operation and strategic execution by reinforcing the company’s commitment to stability and growth,” he noted.
He also highlighted Stamford Tyres’ Mid-Term Plan extending to 2027, which included significant developments in Malaysia. “The company is revamping its sales team and increasing personnel to reach deeper into every state. Satellite warehouses in Alor Setar and Johor Bahru are bolstering regional operations, while a new central warehouse in the Klang Valley would streamline logistics and enhance service efficiency,” he said.
Ivan revealed that the company was temporarily closing its retreading facility in Rawang as part of plans for future expansion. “This temporary measure is necessary as the company gears up to enhance its capacity and capabilities for long-term growth,” he stated.
Diversified product portfolio
To maintain its industry leadership, he said Stamford Tyres was expanding its product range. The company remained committed to Falken for passenger car tyres, while introducing Singapore-based brands Sumo Firenza and Sumo Tires. Sumo Firenza targeted the passenger car segment and commercial trucks, while Sumo Tires focused on commercial Bias Tyre segment.
“There are many Chinese tyre brands in the market but none from Singapore. Stamford Tyres is based in Singapore and its brands — Sumo Firenza and Sumo Tires — are well established there. For instance, SMRT, Go Ahead, Tower Transit, Singapore’s urban bus operators and also Sembwaste, Colex, ALBA, Singapore’s waste management provider, use Sumo Firenza tyres. Given the strict standards of the Singapore government, there are no quality concerns,” he explained.
In addition to tyres, Stamford Tyres in Malaysia and Singapore is the exclusive distributor of Rays and Weds wheels from Japan, along with its own SSW wheels that are manufactured in Thailand. The company also distributes Project Mu brake pads from Japan to further diversify its portfolio.
Ivan emphasised that customer relationships were at the heart of Stamford Tyres’ growth strategy. “The company’s focus is on improving service and support by offering tailored solutions and expanding to new markets while strengthening Stamford Tyres‘s presence in existing ones,” he shared.
All these initiatives, Ivan explained, aligned with his management philosophy: “People, products and services are the pillars of our success. Good-quality products are essential, but so are the right people to drive them and exceptional after-sales service to sustain customer trust. This balance is key to ensuring long-term growth and satisfaction.”
As Stamford Tyres embarked on a new chapter under Dawn’s leadership, he concluded that the company was well positioned to continue its legacy of excellence while adapting to the evolving demands of the industry. With a clear vision, experienced leadership and a customer-focused approach, Stamford Tyres remained committed to driving growth and innovation in the years to come.