Diana Pang CPA has a wide-ranging role with Singapores Sunny Metal & Enginering Pty Ltd.
Q. Could you tell us a little bit about Sunny Metal?
Sunny Metal & Engineering was founded in 1974 with some simple cutting tools and few workers, to fabricate sheet metal products largely demanded by the construction industry.
It has grown to become one of the leading companies providing sophisticated solutions for electronic consoles, racks, wall-mounted cabinets, customised metal casing for biomedical industries, and many other types of high-end enclosures including those with special climatic and/or noise control.
We provide customised solutions to all our clients who require metal-working services, and do everything from process engineering to mechanical and electrical assembly.
We design prototypes, fabricate using aluminium, stainless steel and various metals and eventually deliver quality products.
To date, we have built up a strong team of experienced engineers who are able to work independently and closely with our customers to solve any design issues.
Moving forward, we seek to work closely with our customers to understand their needs and continue to provide speedy and sound solutions at an affordable price.
We believe that if Sunny Metal can assist our customers to grow and be more competative, we will be highly successful and build our name in the marketplace.
Q. Your job is business development director. What does this involve?
Everything and anything. Despite my title I also have finance and HR responsibilities added into my portfolio.
As a business development director I am constantly on the lookout for new markets/customers who will benefit from our services. Customers are all individuals, and no two are ever the same even if they might be from the same industry and same country. My job is to understand the business they are in and how I can further add value for them.
Q. What do you like about your job?
It's challenging and I'm always on my toes. I like to meet people, and when I have successfully completed their project and see my products on sale or in the market I feel so proud.
Q. What do you find challenging?
Explaining to the industrial designers (my customers) that the design is not feasible on the production floor and that it will be too costly to manufacture.
Q. Engineering is often seen as a male-dominated field. Is this changing in Singapore? How do you feel about working in such a culture?
Engineering is still a very much male-dominated field. It was not easy in the beginning, as most contacts and even my own staff did not take me seriously. Over the years I have proved to them that being a woman is definitely not a handicap in this industry. I am not afraid to get my hands dirty or my jeans torn by the metal parts. I just want my projects to be accomplished.
Yet I feel I am relatively lucky because in Singapore we have a much more balanced attitude compared to other countries. What I am doing now is so different from what it used to be. But it is fun and every day I learn something new.
Reference: November 2007, volume 77:10, p. 16
