# Yao Hsiao Tung

> Yao Hsiao Tung is the Singaporean founder and executive chairman of Hi-P International. A former DuPont technical manager, he took charge of Hi-P in 1983 and developed the small toolmaker into an international contract manufacturer. He received the Singapore Business Awards’ Businessman of the Year honour in 2023.

- **Role:** Founder and Executive Chairman at Hi-P International
- **Organizations:** Hi-P International, DuPont
- **From:** Yunnan, China
- **Nationality:** Singaporean
- **Education:** Diploma in Chemical Engineering (listed in Hi-P’s 2004 annual report), Taiwan Kaohsiung Technical College, Honorary doctorate in engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences
- **Known for:** Transformed a small, loss-making toolmaker into an international contract manufacturer., Businessman of the Year, 38th Singapore Business Awards, 2023., Honorary doctorate in engineering, 2009.

## Career timeline

- **1940** — Born in Yunnan, China; subsequently raised in Taiwan.
- **1979** — Transferred by DuPont to Singapore.
- **1983** — Left DuPont and took charge of Hi-P, which had been established in 1980.
- **1987** — Hi-P formed a joint venture with Molex to supply electronic connectors.
- **1990s** — Expanded manufacturing into China; the chairman’s account dates overseas expansion to 1993.
- **2003** — Hi-P listed on the Singapore Exchange.
- **2009** — Received an honorary doctorate on 25 October.
- **2017** — Acquired Molex’s approximately 22% stake in Hi-P.
- **2019** — Received Singapore’s Public Service Medal.
- **2021** — Took Hi-P private; the company delisted from SGX.
- **2023** — Handed the CEO role to Lee Kong Ann on 24 February and remained executive chairman; received Businessman of the Year on 25 July.
- **2024** — Hi-P secured S$100 million from 65 Equity Partners; Yao spoke at SUSS and NUS.
- **2025** — Discussed a potential return to public markets by 2030.

## Achievements

- Transformed a small, loss-making toolmaker into an international contract manufacturer.
- Businessman of the Year, 38th Singapore Business Awards, 2023.
- Honorary doctorate in engineering, 2009.
- Singapore Public Service Medal, 2019.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Forbes’ profile, updated 2 September 2026, estimated his wealth at US$2 billion; this is an external estimate.
- **2025-07** — Hi-P published a summary of his Edge Singapore interview describing plans to relist between 2025 and 2030, with Singapore then favoured.
- **2024-07** — Hi-P announced a S$100 million investment by 65 Equity Partners, including work on growth strategy, leadership succession and a potential listing.

## Links

- Website: https://www.hi-p.com/about-hi-p

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/yao-hsiao-tung
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21