Tiger Balm is a world-renowned topical analgesic brand owned by Haw Par Corporation Limited, a diversified public company headquartered in Singapore. The company has a rich history spanning over a century, tracing its origins to a humble apothecary in Rangoon, Burma.
Company Overview
Haw Par Corporation operates with a strong focus on its healthcare business, which is the primary contributor to its revenue and profit. The company is listed on the Singapore Exchange and has diversified interests across several segments.
Headquarters:
Singapore.
Parent Company:
Haw Par Corporation Limited.
Core Business:
Manufacturing and marketing healthcare products, primarily under the Tiger Balm and Kwan Loong brands.
Global Presence:
Tiger Balm products are available in over 100 countries worldwide.
Other Segments:
Beyond healthcare, the company is involved in property investments and the leisure industry, which includes owning and operating oceanariums like Underwater World Pattaya in Thailand. It also manages a portfolio of investments in securities.
History
The brand’s history began in the 1870s when Aw Chu Kin, a Chinese herbalist, left China to open a medicine shop called Eng Aun Tong in Rangoon, where he created his special pain-relieving ointment.
Founders:
Upon Aw Chu Kin’s death in 1908, his sons Aw Boon Haw (“gentle tiger”) and Aw Boon Par (“gentle leopard”) inherited the business.
Naming the Brand:
Aw Boon Haw, a marketing genius, named the product Tiger Balm after his own nickname, which also symbolized the product’s strength and power.
Expansion:
The brothers expanded the business significantly, moving the main production base to Singapore in 1926 and using innovative marketing tactics, such as custom-made cars with a tiger head and free samples, to build a global presence across Asia.
Incorporation:
The family businesses were consolidated and listed as Haw Par Brothers International Limited in 1969, later renamed Haw Par Corporation Limited in 1997.
Products and Philosophy
Tiger Balm’s philosophy is to deliver health and well-being through proven oriental wisdom, using herbal formulations to relieve aches and pains. The product line has expanded beyond the original ointment to include a range of modern formats to appeal to a wider demographic, from traditional consumers to fitness enthusiasts.
Ingredients:
The products are based on herbal essences, including ingredients like camphor, menthol, and various essential oils, and contain no animal ingredients, making them vegan.
Product Range:
The portfolio has expanded to include various applications such as:
– Ointments (Red and White variations).
– Muscle rubs and gels.
– Medicated plasters for targeted relief.
– Neck & shoulder rubs.
– Mosquito repellent patches.
Target Audience:
The brand actively targets different consumer needs, with specific ranges like “Active” for fitness-conscious individuals and the “Junior” range for children.