From small chemical maker to big time SM supplier

MANILA, Philippines - “Everyday is a challenge for us,” says George Ong-Tan, owner of MGM and valued partner of the SM Food Group for 19 years,  as he describes  their business  partnership.

While nothing is handed to them on a silver platter, their success  indicates that hard work and finding the right business partner made all the difference for them.

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Entering a business partnership is always a crucial decision to make because it determines the direction of the business, according to Ong-Tan.  

Ong-Tan says he made the right choice in 1993 when he decided to enter into a  business  partnership with the SM Food Group. He admits that he didn’t expect his company to grow as much as it has today. “My company was named MGM Chemicals before,” he said putting emphasis on “chemicals” because his products then were limited to alcohol and cleaners.

Great things really start from small beginnings. As time went by, he eventually started to supply a lot more items to SM ranging from Spanish sardines, bathroom tissues, bottled water, and instant coffee to cooking oil, moisturizers, and even milk and cookies for diabetics.

Today, MGM supplies close to a hundred different products to SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore Market. “From dry goods to food and non-food, name it, we have it all,” says Ong-Tan. 

Ong-Tan acknowledges Herbert Sy’s support through the years. “Mr. Sy is a man of honor, you are definitely assured when you do business with him. The products you carry will be exclusively yours. He is an inspiration, an idol to look up to,” Ong-Tan says.

“When you’re small, it’s hard to cope up but in our case, SM assisted us every step of the way,” Rosita Ong-Tan says smiling. When MGM started in 1993, they only had two workers. Now they have more than enough employees to run the business.

Ong-Tan narrates how Sy told them to stick with SM.  “George, just stick with me and I will help you grow,” Ong-Tan recalls.  That’s exactly what they did. “The word of honor is very important to succeed in business,”  Ong-Tan says.