Here in Singapore, it’s well known that our summers never end. Each season only seems to get hotter and hotter—and with it, the electricity bills of many climb just as fast, thanks to a reliance on air-conditioning, which is why ceiling fans are starting to become a popular alternative. Yet, despite the wealth of fan brands to choose from, doesn’t it feel like their products are less so?
Think about it: ever shopped for a ceiling fan and wondered why they all look the same? That’s likely because they’re Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products—comprising generic mass-produced designs that brands can simply pass off as their own. These fans are also often made without our island’s heat and humidity in mind, which is where Lim Jun Yang steps in.
As the Chief Designer at Point One Technology—a local company that specialises in ceiling fans—Lim (or JY, as he calls himself) leads their research and development efforts in creating ceiling fans entirely from scratch. From ideation to implementation and everything in between, each step of the design process is kept in-house to ensure that their fans can keep up with the whirlwind of local challenges.
Take the Storm VSPEC-IV, for instance—a smart corner ceiling fan with sleek curves and even sleeker dual-axis controls. More than just a statement piece, its design delivers maximum air circulation while taking up minimal space, tackling a familiar problem in many Singapore homes where traditional ceiling fans often can’t fit. At the time of the article, JY mentioned that there is still not enough supply to match the overwhelming demand.
Understandably, it’s a role not many would take on, even for Jun Yang at first, who hadn’t originally planned to carry on the family business while studying in the States. He was set on the well-worn path to Wall Street through finance studies until COVID forced him home. What began as a detour became a turning point: he stepped in to help, shifted his studies to supply chain management, and joined the company to help it weather the storm.
From there, what started as a sense of duty turned into a burning passion: one that’s not fuelled not only by the hard work of his team, but also by the dream of turning his ceiling fans into the leading alternatives in a market dominated by OEM products.
This ambition is evident in Jun Yang’s office, whose designs line both its ceilings and walls, as well as in his unapologetic approach to charging above what other brands offer for their fans: “We are not here to compete on price. If [Point One Technology] is just in that league, it’ll be fighting to produce the cheapest stuff, and the sacrifice of quality will be made.” he says.
Thus, rather than cutting corners to chase short-term sales, Lim instead invests in research and development by prioritising excellence at every stage of production, ensuring that ceiling fans deliver more long-term value than his company’s counterparts.
Obviously, this is easier said than done, as in the honest words of the man himself: “It is not as simple as plug and play.” Every component of a ceiling fan requires careful testing, from its nuts and bolts to its motors and blades, but it’s ultimately in the countless iterations—along with the industry insight on how to capitalise on them—that makes the biggest impact in the final model.
For example, compared to the Chinese and Taiwanese ball bearings used in many ceiling fans today, Point One Technology uses high-quality ball bearings by renowned Japanese bearing company NSK. The signature deep-groove ball bearings used can be found in all their ceiling fan models.
JY does agree that it’s over-engineered—after all, those same ball bearings are mostly used in the high-performance automotive industry. Yet, thanks to their unique position in the market, they can afford to take on additional expenses where their rivals wouldn’t dare, delivering a more durable fan in the process. It’s small wins like these that make and shape the business’s design philosophy.
At the same time, the core of each product from Point One Technology must not only be able to withstand Singapore’s high humidity, but also remain visually exciting while doing so. And while that doesn’t mean every fan has to be a showpiece of beauty, it certainly means that all are designed with a timeless appeal.
Quite a load of work just to avoid OEM templates, right? Well, as JY argues, that’s exactly what Point One Technology wants to be known for. In an entrepreneurial landscape as competitive as Singapore, it’s important to take bold risks like that, especially when no one else is.
Plus, this choice gives the company more flexibility to create ceiling fans that people truly want, as opposed to being constrained by pre-set moulds, making their higher prices less of a hurdle for both potential and existing customers. And as for whether this selling point will pay off in the long run? “Time will tell,” Jun Yang teases, “but as far as I’m concerned, it’s working well.”
Speaking of time, when asked about what the next step was for Point One Technology, JY excitedly highlighted the use of hybrid materials and how his team has already begun testing their options. Even if, as he admits, most will eventually end up on the chopping block, there’s a chance that one could shake up the fan game—and that’s what keeps him optimistic.
Specifically, current plans for utilising these exotic materials focus on constructing the ceiling fan blades from them, as their lightweight but incredibly strong properties could help reduce the power-to-weight ratio, creating stronger airflow. JY also hopes that these materials could make his fans more efficient and affordable, but until these aims are achieved, all we can do is wait and see where the wind blows.
And blowing full speed ahead it is, because, as the man with half a decade of experience explains, the local fan industry is rapidly changing. For instance, the rise of online discussions has encouraged Lim to provide detailed specifications that help consumers make informed decisions—enabling Point One Technology to compete on substance rather than branding and pricing.
Meanwhile, even though ceiling fans are already more eco-friendly than air conditioners, his team has taken note of calls to make them even more sustainable as well: “Everyone is talking about green energy, everyone is trying to reduce their electricity consumption…so it’s very exciting [getting involved in these initiatives].”
Altogether, even with copied creations, supplier setbacks, and countless other challenges that make running Point One Technology anything but a breeze, the company seems to be in good hands with Jun Yang on board. After all, with a drive to design that spins as endlessly as his fan blades, there’s a strong chance he could shatter the industry’s OEM-based glass ceiling.
But as for when that’ll happen? To quote the Chief Designer himself: “I know with full certainty our philosophy is right, but I’ll let time tell you the next part of our story” So if you haven’t experienced the difference yet, now’s the perfect moment to support the revolution by bringing a Point One Technology ceiling fan into your home—one that’s engineered for local conditions, built to last, and designed with both style and performance in mind.
So, if you’d like to see more works from Jun Yang and Point One Technology, follow them on Instagram and visit their new website. Meanwhile, if you’re extra curious about checking out the team’s ceiling fans in action, feel free to drop by their office, where they’ll be more than happy to help you find the perfect model for your home. Finally, remember to say hi to JY for me, and as always, see you in the next article!
Photos by Russell Loh of the DANAMIC Team. This post was made in collaboration with Point One Technology.
