In celebration of Singapore’s 60th Birthday, FHA is proud to highlight the nation’s vibrant multicultural food and beverage landscape and its continuous innovation. We sat down with Melvin Tan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sia Huat. As a key player in the foodservice industry, his expertise and commitment to “creating win-win partnerships” have been instrumental in shaping the success of both local and international F&B brands.
In this FHA Insider interview, Tan discusses what it means to be a homegrown brand in a dynamic F&B scene, the strategic importance of exhibiting at FHA 2026, and the exciting new products and trends that will transform the industry in the coming years.
Q: Could you introduce yourself and tell us more about your company?
Hello, I am Melvin Tan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sia Huat. Sia Huat is a 66-year-old company founded by my grandfather in 1959. It first started selling ornamental porcelain from Chaozhou, where my grandfather came from.
My father transformed the business into a major distributor of kitchenware and food service equipment. Now, as the third generation, my job is to position ourselves for the next few decades, understand upcoming trends and market movements, and adapt to the internationalisation of the world.
Q: As Singapore approaches its 60th birthday, what does it mean to you, as a Singaporean homegrown brand, to contribute to Singapore’s dynamic F&B scene?
I think it’s important to support dynamism and live with rapid changes. We try our best to help overseas concepts and chefs enter the Singapore market and have supported many brands as they try to expand overseas. This mission makes us more than just traders; we are supply chain partners.
Q: In today’s dynamic F&B and hospitality landscape, what were the key strategic drivers behind your decision to exhibit at FHA 2026?
FHA presents a very suitable platform for us to introduce new products to the market and connect with our existing principals and customers. Increasingly, FHA has also become a speed-dating platform for brands looking for a suitable distributor in the regional market. It’s a good time for us to update ourselves on industry changes and meet new professionals, such as hotel owners and key decision-makers from across the region, while also maintaining relationships with our current clients.
Q: From your perspective, what emerging trends are you most enthusiastic about, and how do you see them transforming the industry in the coming years?
The theme of sustainability has been discussed frequently, and both suppliers and customers are increasingly aware of the need to be sustainable. However, I believe we are still in our infancy in terms of real solutions that are circular in nature. The implementation of circular products and solutions will increasingly become a key differentiator for hotel brands, restaurant groups, and of course, solution providers like ourselves.
Melvin Tan’s forward-looking perspective on Singapore’s F&B industry is clear. His insights underscore the critical role FHA plays as a platform where industry players, driven by the pressure of constant change, come together to innovate. His vision for a dynamic and resilient industry is captured in his powerful statement: “Being a part of Singapore’s F&B industry means accepting change is not the only constant, but also the constant pressure that drives innovation.”
Inspired by Melvin’s insights and the vibrant future of the food and beverage world? Join our mailing list to stay updated on all the exhilarating developments leading up to Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA) 2026, our mega event happening from 21st – 24th April, 2026.
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