Exceptional Educational Background and Professional Prowess
Romeo P. Sangalang, President and CEO of Flexo Manufacturing Corporation, possesses an exceptional educational and professional background. He graduated Cum Laude as the top student in his Chemical Engineering class at the University of Santo Tomas, where he was honored with prestigious awards, including the Manuel L. Quezon Leadership Award and the Engineering Centennial Award. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Business Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific, graduating with distinction.
With over 22 years of experience in manufacturing, logistics, and project management, Mr. Sangalang transitioned into general management, where he has consistently driven business growth and revitalized underperforming operations. Additionally, his career has been shaped by the guidance of influential mentors, which has further honed his technical expertise and management acumen. As a result, his leadership is marked by both versatility and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Flexo Manufacturing Corporation: Services and Solutions
Under the leadership of Mr. Sangalang, Flexo Manufacturing Corporation, providing flexible packaging solutions for 70 years, has set the standard for innovation in the industry. The company serves a wide range of industries, including personal care, home care, food and beverage, industrial and pharmaceuticals, catering to both large multinational and local clients. Over the recent years, Flexo has become a local pioneer in sustainable packaging, revisiting its core values and establishing a clear vision to preserve and enhance customers’ products for a sustainable future. By 2018 even before it has received inquiries from its customers, Flexo had already begun addressing environmental concerns related to single-use plastics.
In March 2023, Flexo achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company in Southeast Asia and one of the first in South Asia to receive TÜV Rheinland Austria certification for its commercially available compostable packaging solution. Flexo is recognized by two leading multinational clients as a global partner in sustainability-focused R&D. Flexo’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond packaging innovations. The company actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2023, Flexo Manufacturing Corporation’s commitment to positive change was recognized with the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Award as a Sustainability Rising Star. This prestigious accolade, typically reserved for larger corporations, was accepted by President and CEO Romeo Sangalang in Kuala Lumpur. The award highlights Flexo’s significant grassroots sustainability initiatives and its leadership within the flexible packaging industry, reaffirming the company’s role as a trailblazer in sustainable business practices.
Understanding Business Dynamics, and Customer Preferences
Under Romeo Sangalang’s leadership, Flexo Manufacturing Corporation has doubled in size over the past five years, consistently achieving more than 20% growth each year despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Flexo’s operations remained resilient during COVID-19 restrictions, ensuring a steady supply of essential packaging while maintaining full pay and job security for its employees.
In 2022, Flexo achieved remarkable financial performance, including double-digit growth in sales, triple-digit growth in net income, and significant double-digit growth in EBITDA. Under the leadership of CEO Romeo Sangalang, the management team successfully navigated challenges such as rising costs and inflation, protecting profit margins while maintaining strong delivery of goods. The year marked a milestone for Flexo, with record-high sales and exceptional results, earning well-deserved praise from shareholders for the team’s outstanding execution and strategic management.
The company has distinguished itself as an industry leader, holding the highest market share in flexible packaging for major multinational personal care and home care companies. Additionally, Flexo is the exclusive supplier for a Japanese company, serving markets across Asia-Pacific, providing not only packaging but beverage production from its pasteurization plant. It is also the largest local provider of pharmaceutical laminate packaging. The company also caters to a diverse clientele across the food, dairy, and industrial sectors.
Navigating Unique Challenges and Mastering Business Management
Flexo Manufacturing Corporation operates in a highly competitive, commodity-driven market where excellence in pricing, reliability, and quality is paramount. To thrive in this environment, Flexo is dedicated to becoming the preferred supplier by meeting, if not exceeding, its target clients’ expectations and outperforming its competitors. The company remains client-centric, continuously assessing and refining its competitive edge.
Flexo differentiates itself through a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement, maintaining exceptional standards in both business and operational management. The company also prioritizes cost competitiveness by fostering a culture of innovation and consistently implementing cost-saving initiatives across the organization.
Elevating Customer Satisfaction and Driving Strategic Impacts
Under the leadership of Mr. Sangalang, Flexo Manufacturing Corporation is committed to being a strategic and forward-thinking leader in its industry. Actively supported by its shareholders, the company implements robust strategic management programs that drive operational excellence and outstanding service. A key strength is Flexo’s dynamic research and development team, which continually fosters innovation, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the industry.
The company’s Value Supplier Strategy is centered on delivering superior value in responsiveness, delivery, quality, cost efficiency, and differentiation. Additionally, Flexo is committed to sustainability, and ensures competitive pricing aligns with high client value. The strategy is underpinned by clear Key Performance Indicators that gauge customer feedback and satisfaction. Moreover, Flexo’s Operations Strategy focuses on quality, reliability, and people, with customers at the heart of this approach.
Forward Vision Shaping The Future
Currently, Flexo is advancing towards higher-margin products by leveraging recent investments in advanced machinery. This strategic shift not only advances sustainability goals but also establishes Flexo as a trusted advisor for clients striving to meet their sustainability targets. The company is also enhancing its services through the adoption of cutting-edge systems and technologies.
Flexo is differentiating itself in the market by integrating state-of-the-art graphics management systems, processes automation and central control operations. The implementation of customized SAP ERP will streamline various converting operations, including Materials Requirements Planning (MRP), multi-level Bill of Materials (BOM) Production Orders, and QR code-based inventory management. This commitment to embracing new technologies will improve quality management, optimize operations, and reduce costs, ensuring that Flexo remains at the forefront of industry innovation.
Strategies For Motivation and Productivity
As a management leader, Romeo Sangalang leads by example, bringing passion and dedication to his work. Flexo fosters a culture of open communication, teamwork, and collaborative decision-making, where every team member’s voice is valued. Innovation is central to the company’s operations, with Flexo continually developing creative concepts and leveraging technology and automation to drive progress.
Flexo welcomes constructive criticism and differing opinions, viewing them as opportunities to better understand and address the needs of its personnel. The company is committed to making adjustments where possible and communicates transparently about any limitations in implementing changes. Recently, Flexo conducted a comprehensive culture survey using a data-driven framework to assess and enhance organizational effectiveness. This precise evaluation of company culture eliminates guesswork, enabling Flexo to identify strengths and areas for improvement, and ensuring it is well-prepared to meet its objectives and challenges.
Mr. Sangalang’s Milestones in Leadership and Innovation
Romeo Sangalang has a remarkable track record of revitalizing businesses, transforming them from near foreclosure to earning high praise from syndicated banks and significantly enhancing shareholder value. With over twenty years of experience in manufacturing, logistics, and project management, he has effectively addressed productivity and logistics challenges, reduced costs, and established strategic supply agreements. In a previous company, his innovative strategies have streamlined supply chain processes, doubled revenue, and increased EBITDA by 3.5 times in just two years.
Mr. Sangalang’s expertise in client communication has been instrumental in the successful establishment of new industrial plants and logistics facilities, effectively combining theoretical knowledge with practical expertise. As a dynamic Business Manager, he has cultivated strong customer relationships across various industries, driving growth through targeted sales and marketing strategies.
His skill in crafting sustainable business strategies is based on thorough environmental scans and leveraging company strengths. His extensive network, which includes manufacturing associations and business chambers, highlights his influential leadership. Mr. Sangalang’s management style is characterized by excellent interpersonal skills, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a methodical approach to problem-solving, all supported by unwavering integrity.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Insights From A Seasoned Leader
Romeo Sangalang advises aspiring entrepreneurs to continually refine their craft through hands-on experience while building competence. He emphasizes that practical experience, especially when guided by a mentor, is crucial for mastering one’s field.
Mr. Sangalang believes that effective leadership requires a genuine concern for the team, particularly managers, and encourages serving as a mentor to facilitate effective delegation so one can focus on strategic priorities. He stresses that integrity is the cornerstone of true leadership and that the success of a company profoundly affects the lives of its employees and their families. Therefore, perseverance and ethical leadership are non-negotiable.
Building a strong, cohesive team is essential for achieving long-term success, according to Mr. Sangalang
Rooted in Gratitude: A Legacy of Giving Back and Faith
Mr. Sangalang takes immense pride in his roots and is dedicated to supporting his alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Engineering. As a key founder and the current 1st Vice President of the UST Chemical Engineering Alumni Association, he is committed to further advancing the excellence of the Chemical Engineering Department, now celebrating its 90th year.
Additionally, Romeo Sangalang serves as a Board of Trustee and Public Relations Officer for the UST Engineering Alumni Association, further contributing to the broader engineering community. As an engineer, he is a Fellow of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology based in Malaysia.
His Catholic faith profoundly shapes his life. He and his wife actively support Catholic parishes in her hometown Boac, Marinduque, and participate in celebrations for Our Lady of Caysasay in Metro Manila. This commitment reflects their dedication to both faith and community.
ABOUT THE LEADER
Romeo Sangalang stands out as an exemplary leader, seamlessly combining exceptional educational background with a track record of proven professional expertise. As the President and CEO of Flexo Manufacturing Corporation, he has masterfully guided the company through impressive growth and innovation. His distinguished academic achievements, including top honors from the University of Santo Tomas and a Master’s in Business Economics, highlights his intellectual excellence and dedication.
Under his visionary leadership, Flexo has reached notable industry milestones and earned prestigious awards for its sustainability efforts. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Sangalang’s steadfast commitment to mentoring, community service, and his Catholic faith reflects his profound integrity and positive impact. His leadership not only drives Flexo’s success but also inspires and uplifts those around him, setting an extraordinary standard for excellence.
