Printing in Early 20th Century Singapore: The Contrasting Fates of C. A. Ribeiro Company and Rickard Limited

Brendan Luyt

doi:10.1353/ras.2023.a916913

Printing in Early 20th Century Singapore: The Contrasting Fates of C. A. Ribeiro Company and Rickard Limited

Brendan Luyt^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Nanyang Technological University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The printing industry was extremely competitive in Singapore in the 1920s and 1930s. A few large firms, such as Fraser & Neave, occupied the top tier of the industry and achieved economies of scale through steady modernization and mechanization of equipment and operations. New entrants struggling to establish themselves created intense competitive pressure among smaller printing firms, and the Depression worsened the situation. To survive under such conditions, such businesses tried to develop niche markets. The strategies used and the contrasting fates of C. A. Ribeiro & Co. and Rickard Ltd illustrate the perils of this approach: Ribeiro survived but Rickard fell into bankruptcy.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	73-88
Number of pages	16
Journal	Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society
Volume	96
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1353/ras.2023.a916913
Publication status	Published - Dec 2023
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Royal Asiatic Society. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Cultural Studies
Geography, Planning and Development
History

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10.1353/ras.2023.a916913

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Printing in Early 20th Century Singapore: The Contrasting Fates of C. A. Ribeiro Company and Rickard Limited

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Access to Document

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