Early Life
Sukanto Tanoto was born as Tan Kang Hoo on December 25, 1949, in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is the eldest of seven sons. His father was a Chinese immigrant from Putian, Fujian province. Tanoto's education was interrupted in 1966 when Chinese schools were shut down. He was later prohibited from attending national schools due to his parents' Chinese citizenship.
Rise to Success
Tanoto's entrepreneurial journey began in 1967 with a spare parts supply shop. After his father suffered a stroke, Tanoto took over the family business. He expanded by securing contracts to build gas pipelines. During the 1973 oil crisis, Tanoto used the capital generated to venture into the forest industry in 1973. Tanoto's business interests are represented by the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group of companies, previously known as Raja Garuda Mas. In 2024, he took Hong Kong-listed tissue paper maker Vinda private in a $3.3 billion deal.
Key Business Strategies
Tanoto's primary business strategy involved resource-based manufacturing. He expanded from plywood to palm oil, pulp, and paper. His companies include APRIL (Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings) and Asian Agri. He later moved the headquarters to Singapore in 1997. Three of his children are now active in RGE and its businesses.
Philanthropy
Tanoto and his wife Tinah Bingei Tanoto established the Tanoto Foundation in 1981, focusing on education, empowerment, and enhancement programs to help impoverished communities. In 2013, Tanoto received the Wharton School Dean's Medal Award for his contributions to the global economy and improving lives worldwide.