{{Short description|Taiwanese businessman}} {{Resume-like|date=February 2022}} {{Use British English|date=July 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Barry Lam | image = 林百里20240326.jpg | image_size = | caption = Lam in 2024 | native_name = 林百里 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|04|24|df=y}} | birth_place = Shanghai, China | death_date = | death_place = | education = National Taiwan University<br />(BS, MS) | occupation = Businessman | title = Chairman, Quanta Computer | parents = | children = 2 | relatives = | website = }}
'''Lin Pai‑li''' ({{lang-zh|c=林百里|p=Lín Bǎilǐ|cy=Lam4 Baak3 Lei5}}; born 24 April 1949), also known by his English name '''Barry Lam''', is a Taiwanese billionaire business executive who is the founder and chairman of Quanta Computer.<ref name="quantatw.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070217081149/http://www.quantatw.com/Quanta/english/about/executives.aspx Quanta Computer]. Quantatw.com.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/08/bloomberg/sxasia.php |title= New products bolster technology stocks - Marketplace by Bloomberg - International Herald Tribune|website=www.iht.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324043243/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/08/bloomberg/sxasia.php |archive-date=24 March 2007}}</ref> In 2021, the ''Bloomberg Billionaires Index'' estimated his net worth at $5.98 billion.<ref name="Barrynet">{{cite news |title=Bloomberg Billionaires Index: Barry Lam |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/barry-lam/ |accessdate=25 May 2021 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com}}</ref>
== Life and career == Lam was born in Shanghai, China, on April 24, 1949.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=2012 |title=Who's Who in the ROC [2012] |url=http://www.ey.gov.tw/en/Upload/WebArchive/4695/Who's%20Who%20in%20the%20ROC.pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020105104/http://www.ey.gov.tw/en/Upload/WebArchive/4695/Who%27s%20Who%20in%20the%20ROC.pdf |archivedate=20 October 2016 |accessdate=5 May 2016 |page=407 |pages= |agency=Executive Yuan}}</ref> He was raised in Hong Kong, where his father worked as an accountant for the Hong Kong Club.<ref>{{cite news |last=Landler |first=Mark |date=25 March 2002 |title=Taiwan Maker of Notebook PC's Thrives Quietly |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/25/business/taiwan-maker-of-notebook-pc-s-thrives-quietly.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> After high school, Lam attended college in Taiwan. He graduated from National Taiwan University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in electrical engineering in 1970 and a Master of Science (M.S.) in electrical engineering in 1972.<ref name=":0" />
In 1973, Lam and some former classmates founded {{Interlanguage link|Kinpo Electronics|zh|3=金寶電子}},<ref name="businessweek.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20000125053837/http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_24/b3633055.htm Barry Lam, Founder, Quanta Computer, Taiwan (int'l edition)]. ''Bloomberg BusinessWeek''. (14 June 1999).</ref> a manufacturer of handheld calculators. As the president of the company, Lam built it into the largest contract manufacturer of calculators.<ref name="businessweek.com"/> In the late 1980s, he became convinced that notebook computers would be the next big product.<ref name="ubs.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ubs.com/global/en/investor-relations/financial-information/annual-reporting/ar-archive.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826122342/https://www.ubs.com/global/en/about_ubs/investor_relations/annualreporting/archive.html|url-status=dead|title=Annual reporting archive|archivedate=26 August 2014|website=Investor Relations}}</ref> He left Kinpo and founded Quanta Computer in 1988.<ref name="taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw">{{Cite web |title=Taiwan Review |url=http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=30736&CtNode=128 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716110146/http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=30736&CtNode=128 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |access-date=11 February 2009}}</ref> He set up Quanta Computer with the help of a colleague, C. C. Leung, with capital of less than US$900,000. It had a turnover of NT$777 billion in 2007 (US$23.7 billion).<ref name="english.cw.com.tw">[http://english.cw.com.tw/article.do?action=show&id=10107 CommonWealth Magazine]. English.cw.com.tw.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2008/full_list/301_400.html | publisher=CNN | title=Global 500 2008: Global 500 301–400}}{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
In 2006, ''Fortune Magazine'' included Quanta in the Fortune Global 500 Companies,<ref>Quanta Computer rank 454th in Fortune Global 500 2006 [https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2006/snapshots/4214.html]{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and in 2007, ''Forbes'' placed Quanta 15th in its ranking of the world's most admired computer companies, the highest of a Taiwanese company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World's Most Admired Companies 2007 - Industry: Computers - FORTUNE |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/globalmostadmired/2007/industries/industry_5.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322105724/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/globalmostadmired/2007/industries/industry_5.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2007 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref> Quanta designs and manufactures for clients such as Apple Inc., Compaq, Dell, Gateway, BlackBerry Ltd., Hewlett-Packard,<ref>{{cite news|last=Lander|first=Mark|title=Taiwan Maker of Notebook PC's Thrives Quietly|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/25/business/taiwan-maker-of-notebook-pc-s-thrives-quietly.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=7 February 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174620/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/25/business/taiwan-maker-of-notebook-pc-s-thrives-quietly.html|archivedate=6 November 2012|url-status=live|date=25 March 2002}}</ref> Alienware, Cisco Systems, Fujitsu, Gericom, Lenovo, LG, Maxdata, MPC, Sharp Corporation, Siemens, Sony, Sun Microsystems, and Toshiba.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}} It is the largest manufacturer of PC notebooks worldwide<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Quanta-Computer-Inc-Company-History.html|title=History of Quanta Computer Inc. – FundingUniverse|website=www.fundinguniverse.com}}</ref> and has diversified into servers, storage, and liquid-crystal display terminals.<ref name="ReferenceB">[http://www.quantatw.com/Quanta/english/about/company.aspx Quanta Computer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519165818/http://www.quantatw.com/Quanta/english/about/company.aspx |date=19 May 2017 }}. Quantatw.com.</ref>
==Quanta== Lam established the Quanta Research and Development Center at its headquarters in Taiwan. The center works on many collaborative projects with major institutions such as MIT, National Taiwan University and Academia Sinica on producing next generation products.<ref>[http://www.quantatw.com/Quanta/english/about/researchinstitute.aspx Quanta Computer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228110449/http://www.quantatw.com/Quanta/english/about/researchinstitute.aspx |date=28 February 2009 }}. Quantatw.com.</ref>
==MIT Project T-Party== In 2005, Lam and Quanta joined forces with MIT on Project T-Party,<ref name="web.mit.edu">[http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2005/tparty.html (0M project sets sights on future of computing | MIT News Office]. Web.mit.edu (13 April 2005).</ref> a five-year initiative to create the next generation of platforms for computing and communication.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/13/yourmoney/mit.php|title=Rethinking computers at MIT |accessdate=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050424072245/http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/13/yourmoney/mit.php |archivedate=24 April 2005 }}</ref> The project aims to create new interfaces and explore new ways of managing and accessing information.<ref>[http://www.csail.mit.edu/feature2 Precision Agriculture: Sustainable Farming in the Age of Robotics | MIT CSAIL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221120713/http://www.csail.mit.edu/feature2 |date=21 February 2009 }}. Csail.mit.edu.</ref>
==One Laptop per Child== Lam decided that Quanta would be the original design manufacturer (ODM) for the OLPC XO-1 by the One Laptop per Child project.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?CtNode=119&xitem=30736 |title=Taiwan Review |access-date=17 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202185145/http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?CtNode=119&xitem=30736 |archive-date=2 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Quanta took orders for one million laptops as of 2007-02-15.<ref>Nystedt, Dan. (15 February 2007) [http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/021507-one-million-olpc-laptop-orders.html One million OLPC laptop orders confirmed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217032326/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/021507-one-million-olpc-laptop-orders.html |date=17 February 2007 }}. Network World.</ref> The OLPC project was also part of Quanta's Blue Ocean Strategy,<ref>[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2006/01/17/2003289472 Taiwan's computer firms look at ways to diversify]. Taipei Times (16 July 2014).</ref> entering new market segments which are uncontested in terms of competition.
==Arts patronage and philanthropy== Lam is one of the foremost patron of the arts in Taiwan.<ref name="gio.gov.tw">http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/yearbook/who_1b_l2o.html{{Dead link|date=June 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> He has a personal collection of more than 1,000 works of art and in particular, he collects Chinese paintings and calligraphy.<ref name="ubs.com"/> One of his favourite painters is Zhang Daqian, and he has more than 250 of his works.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/25/business/taiwan-maker-of-notebook-pc-s-thrives-quietly.html | work=The New York Times | first=Mark | last=Landler | title=Taiwan Maker of Notebook PC's Thrives Quietly | date=25 March 2002}}</ref> He is a sponsor of the Zhang Daqian Museum, which is housed in the artist's former home. He has incorporated a Museum of Art and Technology in the headquarters of Quanta in Taiwan, and he displays his personal art collection there.
He is chairman of the Advisory Committee of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, one of the leading museums worldwide.<ref>[http://www.npm.gov.tw/en/about/formerleaders.htm 國立故宮全球資訊網-訊息頁]. Npm.gov.tw.</ref> It has the largest collection of Chinese artefacts in the world.
He is chairman of the Contemporary Art Foundation which manages the MoCA Taipei.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://museum.cca.gov.tw/en/directory/show.php?id=17|title=Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei (Taipei City)|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070810055115/http://museum.cca.gov.tw/en/directory/show.php?id=17|archive-date=10 August 2007|date=10 August 2007|access-date=17 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He is director of the Cloud Gate Dance Theater group,<ref name="gio.gov.tw"/> a Taiwanese modern dance group, which has performed in the Guggenheim Museum<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/press-room/press-releases/current/1808-solomon-r-gugenheim-museum-and-works-a-process-present-images-from-wind-shadow |title=Press Releases |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802115015/http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/press-room/releases |archive-date=2 August 2012 |website=Guggenheim.org |access-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in New York, and toured Europe extensively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Not Found :: Cal Performances |url=http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2003/program_notes/pdf_files/pn_cloud_gate.pdf |website=www.calperfs.berkeley.edu |access-date=24 October 2011 |archive-date=9 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609203815/http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2003/program_notes/pdf_files/pn_cloud_gate.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120319150128/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2008/02/12/142552/Blaze-destroys.htm Blaze destroys Cloud Gate Dance Theater studio in Taipei County]. ''China Post''.</ref>
He is founder and chairman of the Quanta Cultural and Educational foundation, which promotes culture, art and education in Taiwan.<ref name="quantatw.com" /> It promotes educational exhibitions and programs for schools free of charge. It has held more than 20 exhibitions in 291 schools, with more than 1.3 million young people participating in its educational activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quanta-edu.org/upfiles/quanta/images/08English.pdf |title=Quanta Cultural and Educational Foundation|accessdate=24 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425091051/http://www.quanta-edu.org/upfiles/quanta/images/08English.pdf |archivedate=25 April 2012 }}</ref> The foundation has received the Wen Hsin Golden Award from the Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan, for its outstanding promotion of social education many times.<ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.quantatw.com/Quanta/english/about/eventlist.aspx Quanta Computer]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Quantatw.com.</ref>
In November 2002, Barry Lam announced that he would fund a new College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at his alma mater National Taiwan University.<ref name="ee.ntu.edu.tw">{{cite web|url=http://www.ee.ntu.edu.tw/college/content_english/History/record.htm |title=Major Events|accessdate=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211182912/http://www.ee.ntu.edu.tw/college/content_english/History/record.htm |archivedate=11 December 2007 }}</ref> It opened in July 2004, and is known as the Barry Lam Hall.<ref name="ee.ntu.edu.tw"/> It houses the Barry Lam Art Gallery in its basement.<ref>http://台大.tw/english/highlights/2008/he080121_4.html {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref>
He is chairman of the Dwen An Social Welfare Foundation, a charitable organisation funded by leading business people in Taiwan.<ref>[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/11/30/2003338508 Foundation says it is not Ma's toy]. Taipei Times (16 July 2014).</ref>
Barry Lam served as Chairman of the China Exploration & Research Society from 2011 to 2018 for eight years. CERS is a preeminent non-profit organization headquartered in Hong Kong, with a focus on remote East Asia and Southeast Asia, in exploration, research, conservation to nature and culture, and education. Lam was a Director since 2000.
==Honors== *2019 First Class Science and Technology Profession Medal, Ministry of Science and Technology<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Chia-nan |title=Quanta founder's AI work receives a ministry award |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/12/19/2003727812 |accessdate=19 December 2019 |date=19 December 2019}}</ref> *2012 Honorary Doctorate, National Tsing Hua University<ref>[http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1849027 Quanta's Barry Lam receives honorary doctorate – Taiwan News Online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808190427/http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1849027 |date=8 August 2014 }}. Taiwannews.com.tw (22 February 2012).</ref> *2007 Honorary Doctorate, National Taiwan University<ref>{{cite web |date=15 June 2011 |title=NTU newsletter |url=http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~secretor/ntunewsletter/003fulltext.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615001107/http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~secretor/ntunewsletter/003fulltext.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> *2005 Honorary Degree: Doctor of Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polyu.edu.hk/web/en/home/index.html|title=The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - PolyU|author=|date=|website=www.polyu.edu.hk|accessdate=9 April 2019}}</ref> *2006 'Second Class Bright Star Medal' Taiwan Government<ref name="ReferenceA" /> *2006 and 2002 Wen Hsin Silver Award for outstanding promotion of social education, Council of Cultural Affairs, Taiwan<ref name="ReferenceA" /> *2005 Entrepreneur of the Year, Ernst and Young<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ey.com/global/content.nsf/International/EOY_Program |title=Entrepreneur Of The Year program |accessdate=16 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202072026/http://ey.com/global/content.nsf/International/EOY_Program |archivedate=2 February 2009 }}</ref> *2002 One of '25 Managers of the Year', Business Week Magazine<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020108024450/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/02_02/b3765001.htm The Top 25 Managers of the Year]. Businessweek (13 January 2002).</ref> *2001 and 1999 One of 'The Stars of Asia', Business Week Magazine<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010806164557/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/01_27/b3739042.htm The Stars of Asia]. Businessweek (1 July 2001).</ref><ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_24/b3633031.htm The Stars of Asia (int'l edition)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304044901/http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_24/b3633031.htm |date=4 March 2015 }}. ''Bloomberg BusinessWeek''. (14 June 1999).</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lam, Barry}} Category:Collectors of Asian art Category:Hong Kong emigrants to Taiwan Category:National Taiwan University alumni Category:20th-century Taiwanese businesspeople Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:Taiwanese billionaires Category:Businesspeople from Shanghai Category:Taiwanese chief executives Category:Quanta Computer Category:Taiwanese people from Shanghai Category:21st-century Taiwanese businesspeople