S'pore F&B company gives gold plaques worth more than S$500,000 to staff with over 10 years of service

Homegrown food and beverage company Chang Cheng Holdings reportedly awarded gold plaques weighing between 20g and 30g to employees who have served 10 years or more.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the group started out as a Chinese mixed vegetable rice stall in 1994 and has since expanded to operate about 160 restaurants and over 30 coffee shops, with more than 1,200 employees.

Some brands under them include Ming Kitchen Seafood, Rong Kee Roasted Delights, and Partea.

Gold plaques awarded at company dinner

According to Shin Min, the long-service awards were presented during the company’s 32nd anniversary celebration dinner, which was held at Fairmont Singapore on Feb. 6.

Employees were served delicacies, such as abalone, during the banquet, and were also given the chance to take part in a lucky draw.

It is understood that all employees who have served the group for 10 years or more, regardless of position, were awarded a gold plaque made of 999 pure gold.

Each gold plaque presented was engraved with the Chang Cheng Holdings headquarters and brand logo, with the recipient’s years of service indicated on the right.

The lower right corner indicated the weight — 20g, 25g or 30g — and the words "999 pure gold".

The plaques were presented in red gift boxes from SK Jewellery and displayed in transparent frames bearing the recipient's name.

Employees with 10 to 14 years of service received a 20g plaque, those with 15 to 19 years received a 25g one, while those who have worked for the company for 20 years received a 30g plaque.

A quick check on SK Jewellery's website showed that each gram of 999 gold is currently priced at S$271.

A 20g gold plaque is worth roughly S$5,400 in today's prices.

Based on this, the total value of the plaques awarded is estimated to exceed S$500,000.

Chang Cheng’s founding managing director, Kok Kuan Hwa, told Shin Min that the gesture was meant to express appreciation for employees’ dedication over the past three decades.

"This is just to thank the team for their hard work and dedication over the past 32 years and sticking with us through thick and thin," he said. "I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart."

A company spokesperson said more than 100 employees received the award and added that the group would continue exploring ways to recognise staff contributions.

Company previously gifted Rolex watches

Some employees also told Shin Min that the company had previously gifted Rolex watches to long-serving staff.

One employee, surnamed Chen (transliteration), who has worked at the company for seven years, said he was impressed when he saw colleagues receive Rolex watches several years ago.

"I was very envious," he said. "It also motivated me to perform well at work."

A manager at one of the coffee shops owned by Chang Cheng Holdings said he previously had seen colleagues receive Rolex watches and was honoured to be the one receiving a gold plaque this time.

Another employee, surnamed Li (transliteration), added that some high-performing stalls may also receive a bonus of S$1,500, which will then be distributed to individual employees by their bosses.

She also said the company treated its staff very well, and that this contributed to employees’ long tenure with the group.

Top photos from Shin Min Daily News