The courage to take calculated risks is very much the core strength of Ir. Chan SaiChok’s personality and background that goes back to his student and childhood days. The inspiring founder and Managing Director of Perunding Eagles Engineers Sdn Bhd (Eagles), one of the world’s leading mechanical and electrical engineering consultancies, is unquestionably the driving force behind this ‘high flying’ company established 18 years ago. His life story is one of having the guts to overcome impossible odds and achieving overwhelming success through sheer hard work and ingenious planning. In a recent interview with Top 10 of Malaysia, Chan talks about his background, the challenges faced and his aspirations for Eagles.
“Eagles has come a long way since 1997 when I had singlehandedly undertaken the M & E design and management of a Malaysian highway project. It currently undertakes world class projects like the Penang Undersea Tunnel Project and the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) Project that are ongoing, “says Chan SaiChok at his new HQ in Skypark 1 City in USJ Subang Jaya. “Our staff, comprising mostly of ‘cream of the crop’ local graduates, have grown steadily at a rate of between 10% and 20% every year to a total of 140 and 10 shareholders presently.”
“After our success with the SMART tunnel project in 2007, we were appointed M & E designers for 58 pedestrian/car tunnel projects in Saudi Arabia. We clinched the projects by beating international companies by offering better services and greater professionalism at more competitive rates,” reveals Chan.
He says his greatest achievement was when he took only twelve months to complete the thirty-monthBachelor of Science in electrical engineering degree course at University of Memphis in the US. “I thank God for His faithfulness and my mother and the others who supported me to achieve this incredible feat. The rest I owe to my own personal sacrifice, sheer discipline and the belief that with careful planning the impossible can be achieved,” says Chan.
Chan, who is also an MBA holder, had humble beginnings with six other siblings. He gave private tuition in order to support himself financially and to save some money for further studies while he was studying for a diploma in electrical engineering locally. Chan has great admiration for the military genius, Kong Ming or Chu Ke Liang of the 3 Kingdoms fame of ancient China and apply Sun Tze Art of War in his business. “However, God holds first place in importance in my life, followed by my family, church and then, only fourthly, my consultancy which surprises many people. I believe God has blessed me abundantly because I have placed my priorities in the proper order,” says Chan.
Eagles is set for greater heights when it gets listed in Hong Kong soon and with its involvement in other international class projects with Eco World, Iskandar Waterfront development in Johor and the greater Kuala Lumpur MRT Integration project. Currently Eagles is the biggest M & E consultancy in Malaysia and perhaps, even in Asia. It has been actively involved in many notable projects in the Middle East, China, India and many other countries.
“My management style is open and supportive. My engineers are given free reign over their respective projects and they approach me for guidance whenever they feel they need to,” says Chan. “My wife, my 4 children and myself have been so supportive of each other that we have achieved amazing personal results academically and professionally.”
When asked about the future plans for Eagles and himself, Chan says, “I plan to increase the size of Eagles’ staff force to 500 and for myself to continue heading this company for many more years to come. My greatest wish is to find a suitable and capable successor and I hope one of my children would eventually be the one.”
Issue 24/2016
