Cityneon Holdings

What began as a family-run electrical appliance supplier in Singapore in 1956 would transform, decades later, into a global player in experience entertainment. Cityneon started by expanding into shop displays and construction, a move that led to building exhibition booths. A key turning point came in the early 1970s when it partnered with the Australian Trade Commission for their "Made in Australia" exhibition, the first of its kind in Singapore, showcasing the company's capabilities on an international stage. A major pivot occurred when Ron Tan became the Executive Chairman and Group CEO. He spearheaded the acquisition of Victory Hill Exhibitions, a company he founded, which was focused on intellectual property-based attractions. This acquisition shifted Cityneon’s focus towards creating immersive experiences based on major Hollywood franchises like Marvel's Avengers, Hasbro's Transformers, and Universal's Jurassic World. This new direction proved highly successful, moving the company from a traditional service provider to a high-growth content and IP powerhouse. In October 2018, Ron Tan, along with Hong Kong investor Johnson Ko Chun Shun, initiated a significant corporate event. Through a special purpose vehicle named West Knighton Limited, they launched a buyout offer to take Cityneon Holdings private. The move was intended to provide greater management flexibility and reduce the costs associated with being a publicly listed company. The acquisition was completed, leading to Cityneon's delisting from the Singapore Exchange in early 2019, marking a new chapter in its strategic journey.