Milestones
Johnson & Johnson Philippines is heir to the rich heritage and formidable presence that the Johnson & Johnson name has in the world of health care. They may competed in the consumer personal products category, but because their foundation is health care, they aspire not merely to sell superior quality products but to enrich lives.
February 21, 1956 - J&J enters the Philippine business scene
Johnson & Johnson Philippines began operations in the Philippines. The company’s first office was a two-room space in the Cu-Unjieng building on Dasmarinas Street in Manila. The initial scope of business of its business was the distribution of US-made JOHNSON’s ® baby products. It also distributed a small supply of locally-produced JOHNSON’s ® Baby Powder which was subcontracted to Shiro, a local trading firm.
1959 - Broadening the product range
With the objective of expanding its consumer offering, Johnson & Johnson Philippines introduced in 1959, JOHNSON’s ® Baby Oil, JOHNSON’s ® Baby Shampoo, JOHNSON’s ® Baby Soap, and the following year JOHNSON’s ® Baby Cologne, to the Philippine market.
1971 – Filipino Firsts
Johnson & Johnson Philippines finally came under the helm of a Filipino in 1971 when Augusto C. Escueta, Jr. assumed the position of president and managing director. His appointment came at a time of political unrest and economic difficulties for the country. On September 21, 1972, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos, declared Martial Law. Despite this challenging country scenario, JOHNSON’s ® Baby products continued to deliver profitable growth.
1977 – Relocating for growth
To accommodate its expanding business, Johnson & Johnson moved its manufacturing operations from Pasig to a six-hectare property in Barrio Ibayo, Paranaque in 1977. That same year, the Company broke the P100 million sales mark and ranked among the top 150 corporations of the Philippines.
February 1981 – Marking 25 years in the Philippines
In February 1981, Johnson & Johnson Philippines celebrated its silver anniversary in the country with a number of well-earned achievements tucked under its belt. Consumer sales had reached P248 million, representing more than 200 percent growth in a span of three years. In terms of manufacturing capabilities, the Company’s plant size has doubled.
1986 – Rebuilding Post-crisis
After the non-violent People Power revolution in February 1986 that restored democracy to the country, the Philippine economy began to rebound. Johnson & Johnson Philippines was likewise able to rverse the negative growth that it had experienced in the past two years.
As a post –crisis strategy, the Company focused on improving profit, productivity and efficiency. Johnson & Johnson adopted the Quality Improvement Process (QIP), the first affiliate in Asia Pacific to successfully implement the program.
1988 – Giving back to the community
With the business stabilized enough, the Company made its first major philanthropic contribution in 1988, sponsoring the expansion and renovation of the Children’s Ward of the National Orthopedic Hospital. The project was completed in April 1989.
1991 – Celebrating 35 years
In 1991, Johnson & Johnson marked its 35th year of operation in the country with a number of milestones. The Company had surpassed the one billion peso sales mark, with sales of P1.2 billion. The Company also received the Johnson & Johnson Presidential Award for Safety in recognition of 10 million man-hours without a single workday lost due to accidents.