When Tan Eng Kee lost his father at the age of 13, he hardly imagined that one day he would be counted among Malaysia’s 50 richest. Working part-time at a bakery to help his family survive, he learned discipline and grit the hard way. Those early years would become the foundation of a journey that turned RM10,000 of borrowed capital into one of Malaysia’s most valuable technology companies, Greatech Technology Berhad.
Humble Beginnings That Shaped a Leader
At just 13 years old, Tan Eng Kee lost his father, a taxi driver. To support his family, he worked in a bakery after school, flipping trays and kneading dough. The hardship was heavy, but it built the discipline and resilience that would later guide him in the corporate world.
By 1991, Tan had earned a Certificate in Mechanical Engineering from Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah. His first role as a production planner at Prodelcon gave him precision engineering skills, while a move into sales honed his commercial instincts. That rare combination of technical and business acumen would prove vital when Tan Eng Kee set out on his own.
RM10,000 and a Dream
In 1997, with just RM10,000 borrowed from his mother, Tan Eng Kee teamed up with his schoolmate, Khor Lean Heng, (now Greatech’s COO), to launch Greatech. Their venture into semi-automated machinery for the electronics sector was bold but fragile.
By 2001, the company had collapsed.
Yet, Tan did not walk away. Instead, he pivoted into semiconductor automation, gradually expanding into solar, electric vehicles, and life sciences. This willingness to reinvent rather than retreat became his hallmark.
The Making of a Global Powerhouse
Officially appointed CEO in 2013, Tan Eng Kee steered Greatech onto Bursa Malaysia in 2019, a milestone that marked the company’s arrival as a serious player in the automation industry. From its humble beginnings in Penang, Greatech quickly grew beyond Malaysian borders, establishing a testing facility in Michigan, USA, and more recently opening a plant in Ireland. The company is not stopping there, with further ambitions to expand into Germany and India.
Today, Greatech counts some of the world’s most prominent names in the electric vehicle, solar, and semiconductor sectors among its customers, securing its position as a trusted partner in industries of the future.
The company’s financial performance underscores its success. In the second quarter of 2024, Greatech recorded revenues of RM205.9 million, an increase of 24 percent compared to the previous year. Net profit during the same period rose by 27 percent to RM83.7 million, reflecting the strength of its operations and global demand for its systems.
From an initial seed capital of just RM10,000, borrowed from his mother, Tan Eng Kee has built Greatech into a billion-ringgit automation empire that continues to push boundaries on the global stage.
Turning Tariffs Into Opportunity
April 2025 brought a shockwave. When the U.S. imposed 24% tariffs on Malaysian exports, Greatech’s stock tumbled, shedding RM800 million in value. For many, it was a crisis. For Tan Eng Kee, it was an opening.
The global decoupling of U.S. and China supply chains created an urgent demand for alternative hubs, and Malaysia was perfectly positioned. With its cost advantages and highly skilled engineering talent, Greatech became the natural choice.
“Malaysia has the right pool of talent, and our manpower cost is among the lowest in the region,” Tan affirmed.
Recognition and Leadership Values
Tan’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. He was first listed as a Forbes billionaire in 2020, and by 2025 ranked #39 on Malaysia’s 50 Richest with a net worth of US$525 million. Greatech has also won The Edge Billion Ringgit Club Award for highest Return on Equity two years in a row.
Yet despite global recognition, Tan Eng Kee remains grounded.
“I never had dreams of becoming a billionaire. I come to the office, do my job, and I go home. Nothing changes because of this,” he once told Forbes.
At a UTAR CEO Talk in 2022, he shared the five values that define Greatech’s culture: Performance, Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork, and Care & Respect.
These values, he insists, are not slogans but the pillars that shape the company’s decisions and people.
Building the Next Billion
Looking forward, Tan is steering Greatech into its next phase of growth. A RM120 million investment in Batu Kawan Plant 4 will add 500,000 square feet of capacity. By 2025, the company aims to balance its revenue streams; 30% solar, 30% EV, 30% life sciences, and 10% semiconductors.
Europe is the next frontier. Its new facility in Ireland positions Greatech to capture opportunities in the med-tech sector, while expansion plans in Germany and India are already in motion. As supply chains realign globally, Greatech is set to be at the forefront of automation solutions.
A Legacy of Grit
From the ovens of a small Penang bakery to the helm of a billion-ringgit global enterprise, Dato’ Seri Tan Eng Kee’s journey is a portrait of persistence, foresight, and the courage to reinvent. His life proves that Malaysia does not merely have the talent, it has the resilience and vision to compete on the world’s most advanced technological frontiers.
But his legacy is not measured in wealth alone. It is the story of a man who turned hardship into strength, setbacks into stepping stones, and a borrowed RM10,000 into a global success story. It is a narrative that continues to inspire; a reminder that true leadership is not about what you accumulate, but what you create, transform, and leave behind for others to build upon.
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