SBS names new president

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-owned chemical firm SBS Philippines Corp. said yesterday its founding chairman Necisto Systengco is relinquishing his post as president of the company.

Following this, SBS announced the appointment of Gerry Tan as the new president and CEO of the company effective yesterday.

Prior to his appointment to SBS, Tan has 30 years experience in the chemical distribution industry in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.

A licensed chemist and real estate broker, he served as senior adviser and general manager of Bluestar Silicones Asia-Pacific and a board director of Bluestar Silicones Shanghai of the China National Bluestar Corporation Group, a global frontrunner in new chemical materials.

Tan also led a successful career spanning key senior positions at Bluestar Silicones Asia-Pacific from 2007 to 2015, Rhodia Silicones Asia-Pacific from 1998 to 2007 and Rhone-Poulenc Philippines from 1986 to 1998.

As general manager of Bluestar Silicones Asia-Pacific, he also had commercial responsibility for sales of over $100 million and executive oversight of the regional business in Philippines, Hongkong, Singapore, China, Japan, Korea and India.

Sytengco said that with Tan’s extensive international experience in sales, marketing and operations,  he brings a wealth of industry insights and contacts worldwide to develop and expand the SBS business and tap new opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region as the company adjusts to changing macroeconomic and competitive dynamics brought about by the AFTA.

Tan, for his part, said SBS is truly unique among the chemical distributors in the country given its scale and reach.

 “We will further build on these competitive strengths to drive business growth and capitalize on the business growth momentum presented by the continued economic development in the country and ASEAN region. I look forward to working with the SBS team to promote long-term business success for the company,” Tan said.