The 22nd of January 2000 was a special, memorial date for us: the 20th birthday of KWS, celebrated as we head into the new millennium. This special-occasion anniversary encouraged KWS to accomplish a great stride for the future. Since its establishment in January 1980, KWS has weathered through 20 years of commercial ridges and valleys including three economic crises in the country. We must say that the company has grown today fully deserve praise with a grand 20th anniversary.

The grand event was organized in one of the Singapore's best hotels, the Shangri-La Hotel, located in the Orchard Road shopping district. With the theme "Yesterday, Today, and the Future 2000", we had a real treat from the organizers.

Our guests included shareholders, agents and distributors, employees and their families, valuable suppliers, and (who could forget!) the infamous "Shark Brothers." The "Shark Brothers" are from the Golf World: Peter Chua, George Sim, and Richard Baey. If you play golf with them, you will know why they are called sharks.

Guests sitting at dinner tables for the evening programme during the KWS foundation's 20th anniversary celebrated on the 22nd of January 2000

Fig.1 - KWS's Chairman (T. Konohira), Managing Director (S. Kanehira), and employees who are awarded for 20-years' service to the company

The programme for the night took off with the "Flight Captain" (T. Konohira) addressing the crews (Guests), followed by the in-flight meal (Dinner). After that the battle began with lots of fun and laughter coming from participants on the floor. The programme also included the presentation of long service awards, games, a karaoke session and a lucky draw, where one could walk away with a top prize of a Pioneer audiovisual hi-fi unit. No one at this time wanted the party to end, but as with every event, we had to call it a day when dawn approached. All we could have said then was to work hard and look forward to another 10 good years for KWS. Onwards with KWS!

(Reported by Alex Ong, KWS)

Fig 3 - VIP guests celebrating the history of KWS