When Sandra Lim joined Malayan Breweries in 1974, fresh out of her A-levels, it was more than just a job – it was her first step into adulthood. The eldest child from a humble family, she still remembers the pride of handing over her first month’s salary to her father. That $240 meant everything. It may not have seemed like much, but at the time, Malayan Breweries was a well-regarded employer.
She started out in a small lab doing basic quality checks. Back then, the company’s overhead conveyor bridge in District 3 was a familiar landmark – everyone in her neighbourhood called it ABC Bi Jiu Long (啤酒廠), the beer factory. But behind those gates, Sandra was helping lay the foundation for something bigger.
One of the first few photos Sandra took at Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore, in Tuas.
Over the next 40 years, she saw APB evolve – from manual lab work to a modern, sophisticated system of quality checks, global audits, and equipment, all while shifting operations to our current brewery in Tuas. Through every change, she adapted, never losing sight of what mattered most: our unwavering commitment to quality.
Eventually, Sandra became one of the trusted few to train others in the art of beer tasting – a role that demanded months of rigorous training and a sharp palate. Spotting metallic off-notes or signs of over-fermentation wasn’t easy, but Sandra helped ensure every sip met the mark.
Picture of Sandra and her fellow colleagues
What Sandra remembers most, though, are the people. To her, APB wasn’t just a workplace, it was a 大家庭, a big extended family. One of her fondest memories was the annual “Picnic Day,” a much-anticipated company outing where colleagues brought their families along to places like the zoo, Big Splash, or Chinese Garden. These gatherings were moments of connection, complete with long-service awards that honoured milestones, loyalty, and the spirit of togetherness that made APB feel like home.
She also recalls the honour of delivering the National Day message prepared by NTUC in the early 1980s, as employees gathered in the brewery to hear her read it in both Chinese and Hokkien.
When Sandra retired in 2014, she looks back with pride at everything she had built and contributed over the years. To her, APB represented stability, growth, and life lessons that continued to shape her long after she left. “They (APB) taught me how to solve problems on my own, think differently, and grow. I had to improve my English, push myself out of my comfort zone, and adapt. But I’m grateful, it made me who I am today.”