Our Brand Story

History and Origins

  • Mr. Lim Tai Tin, founder of Chee Seng Oil Factory Pte Ltd came to Singapore when he was a teenager. He started out by working in his relative’s company, after which, he ventured into various small businesses including selling dough sticks and fried pancakes.

    With an initial capital of $20,000, the entrepreneurial Mr. Lim set up “Chee Seng Oil Factory”in 1943 to produce edible coconut oil, as sources of edible oil during the period of Japanese Occupation was scarce. In 1956, he changed the nature of business from coconut oil production to sesame oil production.

    Chee Seng was the first among all the sesame oil manufacturers in Singapore to produce sesame oil with machinery. Mr. Lim painstakingly designed and supervised the installation of all the machines needed in the various stages of production himself, placing product qualities in terms of aroma and purity as his top priorities.

    In 1971, Mr. Lim Tai Tin split the shares of his company among his 10 sons and a nephew. The company was renamed “Chee Seng Oil Factory Pte Ltd”, as it is known today. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 85.

  • The brand DOUBLE PAGODA is named after a landmark in the founder’s hometown – “Fu Qiao Gao Shan Village”, or literally translated as “Village of Floating Bridges and Majestic Mountains”. It is located in the prefecture of “Quan Zhou”, which is in the Fujian Province of China.

    The two pagodas are significant landmark of the “Kai Yuan Temple” near the village. The east wing is named “Zheng Guo” or “The East Pagoda” and the west wing, “Ren Shou” or “The West Pagoda”. Hence Mr. Lim named his products, “Double Pagoda”.

  • Chee Seng Oil Factory Pte Ltd grew its roots in 1943 when Mr Lim Tai Tin began producing edible coconut oil, as edible oil was scarce. In 1956, he switched from coconut oil to sesame oil production, and the rest, as they say, was history.

    Since 1956, CHEE SENG OIL FACTORY PTE LTD has been providing consumers with high-quality, cold-pressed, unrefined Sesame Oil that retains the natural goodness and flavour of its source.

    Chee Seng was the first sesame oil manufacturer in Singapore to use machinery for production. Mr Lim painstakingly designed and supervised the installation of all the machines needed in the various stages of production, placing top priority on product aroma and purity.

Leadership and Milestones

  • The legacy of our company spans generations, now entrusted to the capable hands of Mr. Lim's grandchildren, who are steadfast in their commitment to carrying forward our family's heritage.

    As the eldest son, Mr. Lim Bong Hee's journey began early, contributing to the factory even as a student. Today, he leads his brothers in steering the company to new heights. Under his visionary leadership, we have embraced automation in both production and packaging, resulting in a surge in domestic and export sales. Assisting him in this endeavor are his brothers: Oy Hoo, Hwee Cheng, Ah Eng, Kim Cheeh, Chwee Lai, Hui Tian, Hwee Soon, and Ching Wat. While Hwee Heang and Hwee Ann have ventured into their own businesses, the remaining siblings collectively drive the company's success forward.

    Mr. Lim Kay Guan, the eldest son of Mr. Lim Bong Hee, has grown alongside the business, gaining intimate knowledge of its intricacies and operations. Positioned as leader of the third generation, Kay Guan spearheads initiatives to further enhance and automate our manufacturing processes, ensuring our continued competitiveness and innovation.

    Throughout our journey, we have evolved into a market leader, captivating consumers with our signature high-quality, cold-pressed, unrefined sesame oil. Our unwavering dedication to preserving the natural goodness and flavor of our product has cemented our reputation for excellence in the industry.

  • Chee Seng has garnered international acclaim through prestigious awards such as the Gold Medals from the International Monde Selection, recognizing our consistently high product quality and innovative packaging design. Notably, from 1988 to 1992, and again in 2002 and 2003, we were honored with Grand Gold Medals for significant advancements in product quality.

    In the year 2000, we achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first sesame oil manufacturer to receive the esteemed ISO 9002 certification, a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. This recognition was bestowed upon us by AJA EQS Certification (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

    By 2023, our operations underwent a transformative shift with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Manufacturing Factory. This facility boasts cutting-edge automation, featuring integrated machinery for centralized Control and Monitoring, seamless Data Collection processes, and an efficient Warehouse Racking system for streamlined storage solutions.

    Building upon our dedication to quality and safety, as of 2024, our facilities have obtained FSSC 22000 and Kosher certifications. These certifications underscore our adherence to the highest standards in food safety management and our ability to cater to diverse dietary needs.

    Chee Seng continues to set industry benchmarks, consistently striving for excellence in every aspect of our operations, from production to customer satisfaction.

  • Built upon the legacy of our grandfather's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative drive, we are dedicated to advancing the production of premium sesame-based goods and expanding our global footprint.

    Our commitment to excellence has enabled us to distribute our high-quality products worldwide, reaching discerning consumers in diverse markets such as the US, UK, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, Bahrain, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, New Zealand, and Australia.

    Get in touch with us today to bring the finest sesame oil to your country and experience the unparalleled quality and flavor our products have to offer.

  • In 2023, following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we embarked on a journey of innovation, culminating in the establishment of a cutting-edge Manufacturing Factory that embraces the principles of Industry 4.0. This state-of-the-art facility represents a paradigm shift in our operations, harnessing the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionize our manufacturing processes.

    Our Manufacturing Factory is a testament to technological advancement, featuring seamlessly integrated machinery and systems that are centrally controlled and monitored. Through real-time data collection and analysis, we have achieved unparalleled levels of efficiency and productivity while minimizing human intervention. From the initial cleaning of seeds to the final filling and labeling of products, every step of the production process is meticulously automated, requiring only monitoring, inspection, and maintenance from our skilled personnel.

    The implementation of IoT-enabled automation has not only increased our production capacity but has also transformed the work environment for our staff. Laborious tasks have been replaced with supervisory roles in our centralized control room, fostering a safer and more comfortable workplace. Additionally, energy efficiency has been significantly enhanced, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.

    Our filling line exemplifies the seamless integration of automation, with air-cleansing, filling, capping, and labeling processes all meticulously monitored by IoT-enabled systems. The result has been a marked increase in productivity, accompanied by improved working conditions and support for our dedicated workforce.

    As we continue to embrace the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards of quality and excellence while remaining at the forefront of technological advancement.