Jakarta, July 24, 2024 – Marking its long journey, Agung Concern Group celebrated its 70th anniversary at the Raffles Hotel Jakarta on Wednesday.
It has certainly not been easy for this family-owned company to survive, continue to grow, and become so large that it now involves the third generation in its operations. The event, themed “Sparking Innovation, Empowering the Future,” was attended by, among others, the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, CEO Mahatma Ilham Panjaitan, and several other state officials, as well as Agung Concern’s business associates.
Agung Concern Group Chairman Bakti H.M. Bukti Panjaitan stated that with commitment and dedication in facing multifaceted challenges, the company has now grown strong and mature across four business pillars: automotive, logistics, services, investment, innovation, and information technology.
“Thank you for your presence, ladies and gentlemen, and invited guests. Let us celebrate this achievement by enjoying the special banquet and offerings we have prepared from Agungconern, for our shared future,” said Bakti.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, in his remarks, described his introduction to the late Agung Concern Group founder, Samuel Panjaitan, whom he called “Old Man,” and his friendship with their children.
The Coordinating Minister expressed his pride in Agung Concern Group’s 70th anniversary this year. He stated that it is not easy for a family-owned company, and a native Indonesian, to survive for decades.
“It’s not easy to survive 70 years, a family-owned company, especially a native Indonesian. Hopefully, it will last another 70 years, and beyond,” Luhut added.
Not many family-owned companies can survive into the second, third, and subsequent generations. One of those few is the Agung Concern Group, which has over 5,000 employees spread across the country.
Through its father (first generation), Samuel Panjaitan, Agung Concern is a family-owned company that operates a showroom and workshop in Surabaya, East Java. The business then expanded into importing motor vehicles, including Toyota. The company then opened a branch in Jakarta, importing spare parts and rebuilt vehicles.
Now, with the development of the automotive industry in Indonesia and its experience selling Toyota vehicles, Agung Concern has been entrusted to become a main Toyota dealer. Agung Toyota, one of five founding Toyota dealers since 1972, ranks alongside Auto 2000, Kalla Group, Hasjrat Abadi, and Nasmoco Group. Agung Toyota now dominates the car market in Riau, Jambi, Bengkulu, the Riau Islands, and Bali.
Now, in its 70th year, Agung Concern Group has expanded into various business lines, ranging from land and sea transportation, logistics, warehousing, property, and information technology. This family business continues to thrive under the leadership of the second generation, which now includes the third generation.
There are several important lessons for family businesses to learn if they want to exist and survive for decades, even centuries. These include the family philosophy that forms the corporate culture, team building, and the ability to accurately read situations and execute them as profitable businesses.
Entering its second generation, Agung Concern Group is managed by H.M. Bukti Panjaitan as President Director and Mahatma Ilham Panjaitan as CEO.
While celebrating his 65th birthday in 2021, Mahatma Ilham Panjaitan shared his secret to the success of his family business: placing the right people in the right positions.
“It’s simple. The right man in the right place, and that’s how everything works out,” Ilham said at the launch of his life story book in Jakarta in 2021.
In his statement to several media outlets, Ilham Panjaitan shared the tips he holds dear as the company’s values, prioritizing competence, skill, and honesty in running the company over mere blood ties.
“Even if family members are incompetent, they must step aside. There is a place and other duties for family members, which ensure they don’t interfere with business management,” Ilham explained.
As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a modern business group with a sophisticated organizational structure, Ilham Panjaitan has delegated all responsibilities and day-to-day work to the company’s leaders. There is a director-level executive called the Chief Operating Officer (COO). They are mostly full-time employees who have worked their way up from staff positions. Their rise to the top is due to proven capability, competence, innovation, and loyalty.
Regarding the current IT-based business climate, it is being driven directly by his only son, Moshe Darron Panjaitan. According to Ilham, change is inevitable. Born in Jakarta on June 23, 1956, the man stated that change must be approached cautiously and proportionately, neither underestimating nor overestimating it.
“Business is not about who wins and who loses. All parties should feel like winners and satisfied because they have benefited fairly. This includes the children (employees and their families), whose livelihoods depend on the company’s operations,” he continued.
Currently, the business group includes the third generation: Muhammad Ryano Panjaitan, Livia Vilanesia Panjaitan, and Moshe Darron Panjaitan.
Ilham Panjaitan emphasized that to reach their current positions, everyone, including members of the Panjaitan family, had to undergo a tour of duty at various levels of the company. He stated that they must be willing to follow the steps of becoming professionals.
With this extensive business history, Agung Concern Group has the necessary capital to become a key player in the business journey towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
Source: (ANTARA)
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