Ho Ren Hua is the Chief Executive Officer of Thai Wah Public Company Ltd. (TWPC), where he is responsible for shaping the company’s long-term vision to become a leading starch and consumer foods company in Southeast Asia. Before joining TWPC, Ho was the Executive Director and Country Head for China at Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd., where he played a key role in expanding the company’s regional headquarters in Shanghai and establishing Banyan Tree as the premier luxury hospitality brand in China. Earlier in his career, he worked with Bain & Company Inc. across New York, Hong Kong, and China, specializing in private equity, organizational structure, and strategic development.
Transitioning to Leadership at Thai Wah
In August 2015, Ho relocated from Singapore to Bangkok to lead his family’s business, Thai Wah Public Company Limited. Founded in 1947, TWPC has been a pioneer in the starch and vermicelli industry. The company was formed through the merger of Thai Wah Starch Public Company Limited and Thai Wah Food Products Public Company Limited, with core business divisions in tapioca product manufacturing and vermicelli and noodle production for both local and international markets.
Following the merger on October 1, 2015, Ho spearheaded a strategic transformation, focusing on synergies in management expertise, R&D development, and financial capital. Despite global economic volatility in 2016, TWPC achieved a 12 percent increase in year-on-year revenue and strong net income growth. Ho attributes this success to brand differentiation and the company’s commitment to high-quality export and domestic food production. The company continues to develop value-added products such as glucose, tapioca pearls, and coarse flour, positioning itself for sustained growth.
Strategic Pillars: Regionalisation, Innovation, and Operational Excellence
Under Ho’s leadership, TWPC remains committed to its three-pillar strategy of Regionalisation, Innovation, and Operational Excellence. In 2016, the company expanded its operations with new platforms in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, enabling regional scalability.
A significant challenge to TWPC’s success lies in the sustainability of cassava supply. To address this, the company converted large state-owned lands into modern cassava root farms, enabling economies of scale and improving farming methods. This initiative enhanced productivity and crop yield while allowing for better purchasing and production planning, ultimately boosting sales and profits.
In June 2017, TWPC launched the ‘Guarantee Pricing Project’ to support cassava farmers. This initiative offers farmers a purchase commitment at a guaranteed price, alongside access to training programs, seminars on plantation techniques, and harvesting machine usage. By empowering local farmers, TWPC strengthens its supply chain while fostering community growth.
Commitment to Social Responsibility and Leadership Values
Beyond business success, Ho emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven leadership. In 2016, TWPC launched a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to combat the effects of drought by dredging a weed reservoir pond and supplying water to affected communities.
Ho credits his leadership philosophy to his parents, who instilled in him values of kindness, compassion, and care for colleagues. He believes that leadership, culture, and people development are integral to long-term corporate success. Inspired by his grandfather—the founder of Thai Wah—Ho embraces a hands-on leadership style, prioritizing frontline engagement and employee well-being. His guiding philosophy centers on serving, contributing, and making a meaningful impact in both business and society.
