Charlie Liu —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Matimco Inc., more popularly known for its Matwood, is the market leader in premium treated wood. The company is celebrating its 55th year this 2019 and its president and CEO, Charlie Liu, talks here about the best practices of a business-to-business organization in marketing and innovation.
Q: Wood is perceived as a commodity. Matimco branded Matwood and is now the leader in the upscale treated wood segment. Can you share with us the insight two decades ago that led to this branding and product innovation?
A: Back in the ’90s when the total export ban on lumber was implemented, the local market was flooded with cheap lumber, mostly coming from illegal logging. It was impossible for us to compete using our legal sources. We were rapidly losing market share and financial loses began to mount.
At that time, the choice was—stay generic and close shop or innovate, be different and hopefully survive. Obviously, we chose the latter and took a gamble.
Back then, the biggest disappointment for consumers when using wood in their home construction was its susceptibility to termites. Using a state-of-the-art technology of wood treatment plus our collaboration with Solignum, we differentiated ourselves through wood innovation and wood branding (something that was unheard of back then) and launched Matwood, the first antitermite factory vacuum treated branded wood product in the Philippines that carried a 10-year warranty.
We didn’t want to just brand our products, we wanted to do something that is not easily replicated. We had an ambitious desire of being more than just wood by offering a better value that was likewise a solution to the consumers’ problem. Hence, our flagship brand, Matwood, was born. Matwood was and continues to be Matimco’s premium line of treated architectural interior wood products today.
Q: Matimco was not a market leader decades ago. Aside from branding, how does one build a strong company with hyper growth?
A: Probably I could sum it up into three areas:
1) Brand and product excellence—quality, relevant and differentiated products and services
2) Operational excellence—systems and processes that allow an organization to consistently do great things and deliver great results
3) Organizational excellence—great and committed people who work seamlessly under a common culture
Q: Me-too competitors came and priced themselves lower. Some were not able to survive, while others are still fighting you. What has worked in defending your market space and why?
A: Owning or building one’s home is probably a person’s single biggest lifetime investment. This is why a homeowner’s choice of building products is extremely critical as they make that difficult decision in choosing the best quality construction materials that their money can buy. Every reputable and conscientious architect, designer and contractor knows this as well.
In a span of 55 years of Matimco’s existence, I believe our edge has always been what the company stands for—our integrity and reputation. We take pride in and stand by our products and services. Our buyers know that we don’t cut corners and that our quality is consistent with our claims and offers. This is why specifiers, resellers and consumers have trusted in our reputation and our brand for over five decades.
Our culture to ensure consistent product quality, professional service and relevant selection that are made available have clearly set us apart from our competitors. We constantly introduce new innovation in improving our products and services. We may not always be the cheapest but our buyers can always rely and sleep soundly knowing that they’re always getting the best value for their money when they deal with us.
Q: What’s your vision for Matimco? And what do you think is Matimco’s brand purpose?
A: Matimco’s vision has always remained focused on becoming the best and most trusted wood company in the Philippines through our relevant and innovative products and our endless desire to explore opportunities to better serve and delight our customers.
Our founder and my father have always reminded us that in business, especially in the wood business, keeping a good reputation is key to sustainable growth. Your customers trust you, your creditors trust you, the community trusts you and your people trust you. This is why gaining and keeping all our stakeholders’ trust and confidence is an integral part of our vision.
As we take pride in our enduring efforts to improve the value of every Filipino home, Matimco’s purpose is deeply rooted in our passion for wood. We are committed to fostering the culture and advocating the appreciation and preference for the use of sustainably and legitimately sourced wood products. We truly believe that using wood is good—it’s good for our homes, it’s good for the environment, and it’s good for all of us. —CONTRIBUTED