A pioneer unafraid of rough seas

AT the end of Teo Siong Seng's first year working at his family's shipping business, his father told him that the following year was going to be very tough. It turned out not to be a one-off warning - Y C Chang, who founded Pacific International Lines (PIL) in 1967, has given this warning to his son every year since then.

"I've heard him tell me that next year will be tough 35 times already," Mr Teo, who joined PIL in 1979 and is its managing director, says with a chuckle. (Teo and Chang are the same surname in Chinese, Zhang)

"He is a very humble and modest person, very good natured. He always tells us ships can be mud (worthless) and they can be gold (make fortune). When the sailing is smooth, don't get carried away, but when it's rough, don't get discouraged either."