My father was born into a humble family in Kulim, Kedah, as the eldest of eight siblings. His father was a rubber tapper, and his mother a caterer — both working tirelessly to make ends meet. Life was difficult. He often shared stories of how a single packet of instant noodles had to be divided among his siblings, while tapioca became a staple for survival.
At a young age, he left school to help support the family, taking on whatever work he could find in Padang Serai — from rubber tapping to mechanical jobs. In doing so, he learned early on the values of discipline, resilience, and responsibility — values that would later define both his life and his business.
In search of better opportunities, he made the bold decision to move to Labuan. It was there that he began his journey in the oil & gas industry and played a key role in Brooke's first structural and piping project for offshore oil rig construction under PETRONAS in 1998. Through the years, despite the industry's ups and downs, he built not only a business, but a loyal team — many of whom remain with the company today.
In 2013, alongside his partner Sim Kwang Teck, he restructured the company with a clear direction and a simple guiding principle: reliability and efficiency is our priority. That foundation continues to shape Ironfield Engineering today.
Beyond his work, my father's greatest pride has always been his family. He raised us with the same strength and determination that carried him through life — Katryn Haw, who holds a Master's in Law from the University of Sunderland; Louis Haw, now Director of Ironfield Engineering, with a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the University of Portsmouth; and Kathryna Haw, a graduate in Media & Communications from Coventry University, currently based in Singapore. The logo we proudly carry today was designed by his youngest daughter — his pride and joy — serving as a quiet but meaningful mark of the legacy he built.
His journey was never easy, but it was always purposeful. Everything he built — every sacrifice, every risk — was for the people around him.
Today, we carry that legacy forward.
