Overview
THE ENG WAH ("EW") GROUP - ITS RICH
HISTORY
The
Eng Wah Group, founded in the 1940s, is the first cinema operator
listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SGX).
The Group is a leading film exhibitor and distributor with 26
strategically located cinema screen halls with a capacity of over
5,300 seats. It is the first cinema operator in Singapore and in
the world to launch the world’s first full 2K (2000 lines
resolution) Digital Cinema in its cineplexes in May 2004, and is
still the operator with the highest number of 2K digital screens in
Singapore.
The Group's leisure and lifestyle entertainment businesses include
cinema operations, film distribution and food concessionaire
operations. The Group also owns and leases several commercial
properties in Singapore which include the Jubilee Entertainment
Complex at Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh Entertainment Centre at Toa
Payoh.
Milestones
1940s
Starts business of operating cinemas with various partners; the
Happy Theatre and the open-air Victory Theatre, both in Happy
World.
1960s
Becomes one of the leading distributors of Chinese movies (form
Taiwan and Hong Kong) in Singapore, and is among the first film
distributors of Chinese movies (from Taiwan and Hong Kong) in
Singapore.
It is also among the first film distribution companies to, besides
bringing in mega movie stars (Fong Po Po, Ivy Ling Po, Si Kar Yin,
Siu Fong Fong and Tang Lang Hua) for stage appearances together
with the screening of their respective films, also bring in top
Cantonese opera troupes and stars (the late Sir Tang Weng Cheung,
better known as Sun Ma Sze Tsang) from Hong Kong to perform in
Singapore.
In
conjunction with the grand opening of the National Theatre, it
specially brings in top Hokkien film stars to officiate as well as
to perform in this national event.
EW ventures
into film production in Hong Kong and produces some highly
acclaimed films, garnering numerous awards in the Asian Film
Festivals.
Incorporate companies to acquire and operate the Jubilee Theatre
(1966) at North Bridge Road and the King's Theatre (1968) at Kim
Tian Road; both became two of the more popular cinemas among the
regular Chinese movie goers.
1970s
The Group begins operating cinemas in the HDB satellite towns.
Becomes one of the top three Chinese movie distributors in
Singapore.
1980s
The entire cinema industry is hard-hit by video piracy. However,
the group remains steadfast and maintains its position as one of
the leading Chinese movie distributors and cinema operators in
Singapore.
Instrumental in introducing the early movies of A-list including
Jackie Chan, Samo Hung,Yuen Piao, Michael Hui and Michelle
Yeoh.
Contributes to promoting the then upcoming movie idols like Nicky
Wu, Aniki Jin and Charlie Yeung for local
appearances.
Becomes Singapore's sole licensee of TVB International (Hong Kong),
distributing their top programmes and highly popular TV
serials.
Begins its first screening of English movies at Marina Theatre and
surges on to secure a fair share of the city's market.
1990s
Becomes public listed in 1994.
Keeping in line with the government's plans to rejuvenate the town
centres in the older HDB estates, EW marks another milestone by
redeveloping its single-screen theatres in Ang Mo Kio and Toa Payoh
into multi-faceted entertainment centres, and converting Empress
Theatre into a 3-screen hall cineplex.
Diversifies into businesses of operating amusement arcades and
popcorn concession stands.
Sets up new cineplexes at Bukit Batok (EW - West Mall), Suntec City
(EW - Suntec), and Sembawang (EW - Sun Plaza).
2002
First Cinema Exhibitor in Singapore to implement an on-line loyalty
program.
First
Cinema Exhibitor in Singapore to provide the SMS-a-movie
service.
2003
First Cinema Exhibitor outside of the USA to deploy a full 2K
Digital Cinema system.
First Cinema Exhibitor in the world to commercially screen a full
2K-enabled digital movie.
2004
First Cinema Exhibitor in the world to operate a full 2K enabled
cineplex.
2005
First Cinema Exhibitor in Singapore to offer WAP Ticketing service
in 2005
Placed among the top 100 Asian companies in CIO Asia’s CIO 100
List.
2006
First Cinema Exhibitor to
launches movie ticketing service with SingPost on SingPost’s 250
Self-service Automated Machines (S.A.M.) islandwide.
Best Service, Best Snack Bar, Best Sound – The Sunday Times
SPBA Heritage Brand Award Winner
2007
One of the 1st in the
World to showcase 4K Digital Cinema technology with “SpiderMan
3”.
Introduces industry’s 1st Personalised Movie Gift Card in May
EW Cinemas is Principal Partner of National Day Parade 2007
EW Cinemas launches 1st of a kind fund raising initiative in
Singapore; funds are raised through an auction of EW Movie Gift
Cards, specially designed by members of the public. All proceeds
from the online charity auction held at eBay Singapore, go towards
The Straits Times (ST) School Pocket Money Fund.
2008
EW Cinemas is 1st Cinema
Chain to pledge support to Singapore’s bid for the Youth Olympic
Games 2010
EW Cinemas is Principal Partner of National Day Parade
2008
2009
EW Cinemas is Principal
Partner of National Day Parade 2009
2010
Selected as one of the
“100 Singapore Icons”; a representation of logos, symbols,
trademarks and icons that are significant to Singapore’s social
history and visual culture.
Is Eng Wah good or bad?if you went to watch movie then comment
it whether is good or bad..