Mekeni Foods Corporation President Prudencio ‘Pruds’ Garcia credits resiliency and adaptability as key factors in combating the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises.
When the pandemic struck 2 years ago, Garcia was among those who initially thought that the crisis would last for only a couple of weeks. He said that after doing research, he and his team realized that the impact of the pandemic may be felt anywhere from one to five years.
With the brand suffering a setback in the last quarter of 2019, little did they know that this would be followed by lockdowns and limitations brought about by COVID-19.
Garcia said that, after meeting with his team at Mekeni and others in the business sector, who shared the fear that with the continuation of the pandemic crisis, businesses may eventually close down, and jobs will be lost, they have concluded that adaptability will play a key role.
“We will only survive if we help others survive,” he said, adding that “We will rise by helping others.”
Garcia related that to show support to their suppliers or partners during the uncertain times, it would help to issue payments at an earlier time. “If your usual term for payment is 30 days, it won’t hurt to shorten this period to maybe 3 weeks or even 2 weeks.”
Meanwhile, for the employees, whom Garcia stressed “have been with us through good and bad times, payroll should never be delayed. The latest that payroll shall be released is ‘on time.’”
And to aid those who may lose their jobs because of the pandemic, Garcia said an alternative method is possible: the option to be resellers of Mekeni products, which shall be innovative and won’t need major advertisements to sustain.
Growth despite the pandemic
Garcia revealed that “because of adaptability and innovation,” Mekeni sustained a 16% growth in terms of volume in 2021. He said that for 2022, it might be 8 to 10%.
Going global
According to Garcia, he learned that while being an active part of the local business activity, the possibility of bringing their products out of the county may also be explored. And as a product of a 10-year plan, Mekeni initially wished to export to the Middle East, but the country was, at the time, beset with the African Swine Fever, so they were not allowed.
Eventually, Mekeni began exporting products to Dubai. And the other destinations were determined based on “Kung nasaan ang Pilipino.” And, still according to the plan, they envisioned bringing Mekeni to Singapore, Hong Kong , Japan and more
After Dubai, Mekeni was able to export to Japan. Garcia said, “We are the first and only company to export processed meat in Japan.”
Mekeni was able to penetrate the USA in 2022. Garcia shared that in February 2022, Mekeni started exporting to the USA. In July last year, they started producing tocino, and in December, they began preparing three (3) types of hotdogs in the USA.
Bringing Pinoys ‘home’ via Mekeni
To inspire the many overseas Filipinos who could not go home because of the pandemic, Mekeni has brought its products to them instead.
Garcia said that Pinoys who have sampled their ‘tusok-tusok’ Mekeni products such as fishball and kikiam in the USA would always say that every bite brings them ‘home’ to their families and friends, and takes them back to many memories
The Mekeni executive said that he was privileged to have been invited by Consul General Elmer G. Cato to New York City, where he got the chance to talk to OFWs who were only too excited to sample the Pinoy products.
The culture of resilience
According to Garcia, despite all the challenges, it is amazing to see how we Filipinos can adapt and prevail.
From what started as a backyard industry, Mekeni has gone leaps and bounds, initially in the country, and slowly but surely – internationally.
And as he continues to expand the business internationally one country at a time, Pruds Garcia said “Imagination is the best preparation.”
