en
Singapore
In 1977, Estina Ang founded a small garment operation in Singapore with six sewing machines and S$3,000 in capital, at a time when women rarely led manufacturing businesses of any size. She built it into a trusted apparel partner known for reliability and quality, the kind of reputation that survives shifting production trends and rising competition across Asia.
Her daughter, Felicia Gan, joined the company in 2006 after a career as a lawyer, initially handling legal and compliance work before moving into operations and strategy. When she became CEO, she inherited a strong business in an industry being remade by demands for speed, transparency, and sustainability. Her task was less about running the company than transforming it — without losing what made it work in the first place.
Today, Ghim Li Group of Companies produces more than 65 million garments a year for some of the world’s leading fashion and retail brands. Here, Felicia talks about leading through crisis, why certification opened doors, and what she’s learned about measuring success.
What does Ghim Li do, and what problem does it solve?
Ghim Li is a global apparel manufacturing and supply chain solutions provider. We offer end-to-end services including product development, sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and sustainability solutions for some of the world’s leading fashion and retail brands.
The apparel industry faces constant pressure to deliver high-quality products faster, more sustainably, and with greater transparency. We help brands meet that challenge with integrated solutions that streamline supply chains, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact, while supporting their broader ESG goals through responsible sourcing and resource-efficient production.
What was it like stepping into leadership as a second-generation CEO, and how did the pandemic test that?
Earning the trust of employees, customers, and stakeholders while leading transformation in a well-established family business meant balancing respect for tradition with the courage to innovate. That was tested most during COVID-19, when global supply chains were disrupted overnight. Ghim Li rapidly pivoted to support Singapore’s national response, manufacturing and delivering approximately 20 million reusable antibacterial masks under extremely tight timelines.
The experience reinforced the importance of agility, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership. It demonstrated that businesses can create impact far beyond commercial success and strengthened our commitment to innovation and responsible business practices.
How has WEConnect International shaped Ghim Li’s trajectory?
Certification is about far more than recognition — it’s about visibility, credibility, and access. As a woman-led company in a highly competitive global industry, certification shows multinational buyers that women-owned businesses can compete at scale while delivering innovation, quality, and value.
Being part of a global network of women business owners is equally important because entrepreneurship can often feel like a solitary journey. Organizations such as WEConnect International create opportunities to connect with like-minded leaders, exchange knowledge, learn from one another, and access new markets.
As a second-generation woman business leader, I am passionate about demonstrating that women can successfully lead large manufacturing enterprises and drive meaningful change across global supply chains. WEConnect International helps amplify those stories while creating opportunities for future generations of women entrepreneurs.
What are your plans for growth? Where do you see Ghim Li going in the next few years?
The future of the apparel industry will be shaped by sustainability, technology, transparency, and circularity. Over the next several years, we’ll keep investing in sustainable materials, circular economy initiatives, digital product development, and advanced manufacturing technologies, and exploring new approaches to resource efficiency and carbon reduction that help both us and our customers meet their ESG goals.
As a second-generation family business, I see growth as extending beyond revenue. Success means building a company that stays relevant, resilient, and impactful for future generations.
What’s the most interesting trend in your industry right now?
The most transformative trend in our industry is the shift toward sustainable and circular fashion ecosystems.
Consumers are increasingly asking where their clothes come from, how they are made, and what happens to them at the end of their life cycle. Brands are responding by demanding greater transparency, traceability, and accountability throughout the supply chain.
Technology is accelerating this transition. Innovations in digital design, material science, water conservation, recycling technologies, and carbon reduction are reshaping the future of apparel manufacturing.
For companies like Ghim Li, sustainability is no longer simply a compliance requirement—it is a competitive advantage and a business imperative. The companies that succeed will be those that can integrate innovation, responsibility, and profitability.
What are your most proud of building?
What began as a small family business with six sewing machines has grown into a global manufacturing enterprise serving some of the world’s leading brands. But our greatest achievement isn’t our size — it’s our ability to keep evolving. We’ve embraced innovation, digitalization, and environmental stewardship as core strategies, from reverse osmosis systems that recycle wastewater to water conservation measures that save approximately 1.1 million tonnes of water annually.
I’m proud that this is about more than business success. It’s a mother’s entrepreneurial dream, a daughter’s commitment to carrying that legacy forward, and a company’s determination to create impact for people, communities, and the planet.
What advice would you give to other women business owners?
Be resilient and embrace change.
Business growth is rarely a straight line, and challenges are inevitable. The key is to remain adaptable, continue learning, and stay focused on your long-term vision.
Don’t be afraid to chart your own path or lead authentically. Many women leaders feel pressure to conform to traditional leadership models, but authenticity is one of your greatest strengths.
Build strong networks, seek mentors, invest in innovation, and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. No one succeeds alone.
Most importantly, remember that success is not only measured by business growth. It is also measured by the opportunities you create for others, the communities you impact, and the legacy you leave behind for future generations.
About Ghim Li Group of Companies
Headquartered in Singapore, Ghim Li Group of Companies is a global apparel manufacturing and supply chain solutions provider, offering product development, sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and sustainability solutions to leading fashion and retail brands across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Founded in 1977, the company produces more than 65 million garments annually. Ghim Li is a WEConnect International certified Women’s Business Enterprise.
ghimli.com