Nonpareil International Freight & Cargo Services in the Philippines are celebrating their 25 year anniversary, having started business on the 14th November 1990.

Nonpareil have grown into an established company that are capable of attending to any of their customer's project cargo and heavy lift needs. President and CEO at the company, Mr. Rolando E. Quiambao (pictured in the gallery below with his wife, COO at Nonpareil, Ms. Belen P. Quiambao) describes the origins of Nonpareil; "I was originally a department head for a multinational freight forwarding company as well as their licensed customs broker where I learned the nitty gritty of operating a freight forwarding firm. But my dream was to be more than just an employee - I wanted to be an employer and to sit at the helm and lead a company. This, coupled with my experience as a youth selling many different products, prompted me to create my own company. Gathering together 4 more individuals, I formed Nonpareil, a French word which means 'no equal', as a fully Filipino-owned and customs operated brokerage firm".

Sensing an opportunity to expand their core business, Roland first rented a delivery truck and ventured into freight forwarding. "We rented our first van to be able to deliver goods for our clients and from there, we started to expand further and further into the company we are today but we never forgot where we started. In fact, that exact van was brought and is still in the company delivering goods today. In the early years, Nonpareil slowly built its name as one of the leading firms in the logistics industry, further expanding our core services to include warehousing and other additional services as we wanted to provide a one-stop shop solution to our clients".

In the mid-90's, the mobile phone and wireless communication industry boomed internationally. However, the Philippines lacked the infrastructure and telecommunication companies were keen on developing the country's GSM network. Nonpareil quickly realised this was a golden opportunity to show clients what the company is truly capable of. "We were contracted to deliver the equipment and infrastructure to develop the cell sites across the country. This was an extremely difficult and lengthy project as we were delivering industrial goods to areas which didn't even have roads at that time. Nevertheless, the project was a success and showcased the company's services, marking a boom in our business".

From humble beginnings with only 5 employees, Nonpareil has grown to become a big name in the Philippines freight forwarding industry, now employing nearly 300 staff and handling accounts from large clients, both locally and internationally. Belen Quiambao (COO) attributes the success of the company to its never-ending drive to deliver tailor-made solutions to their clients as quickly as possible. "It's always been the top management that meets with the clients and because we know what our company is capable of doing, we are able to provide all the necessary services our clients require.

The flattening of the corporate structure has also proved to be key for our company. By allowing employees to directly communicate with the top brass, Nonpareil executives get a clear idea of how the company is operating at the grassroots level. My office is always open and employees are free to walk in and update me on any issues and problems that might crop up during operations."

Belen adds "The Nonpareil employees understand that they all have a role to play in the success of the company. We have distilled our beliefs into 3 ideas: The culture of banig, the culture of pie, and the MacGyver principle. The culture of banig promotes hard work being done as a team. Much like the interweaving of individual parts to create a strong finished product, Nonpareil employees are expected to work together to meet the demands of the client. By understanding each employees' capabilities, weaknesses are covered and strengths are magnified. Our employees understand this with the mantra 'bawal magsolo'. The culture of pie gives a sense of communion to the company. By sharing in the blessings given to the company, employees are shown the fruits of their labour. Meanwhile, the MacGyver principle represents the core value of the company of relentless innovation to get successful results."

Having been in business for 25 years, a new generation of employees have begun to fill the ranks of the company and Rolando and Belen's children are now working in the company with eldest daughter Anna Katrina as General Manager. "Nonpareil will continue to deliver our service beyond compare".

Import Manager, Randy Abella summarises the 25 year achievement and contribution by the Quiambao family; "I must pardon my reference to dialogue from TV show, the X-Files, but on this occasion, these words ring so true for Nonpareil: There are extraordinary men and women and extraordinary moments when history leaps forward on the backs of these individuals, that what can be imagined, can be achieved, that you must dare to dream. But that there's no substitute for perseverance and hard work and teamwork because no one gets there alone; and that, while we commemorate the greatness of these events and the individuals who achieve them, we cannot forget the sacrifice of those who make these achievements and leaps possible"

http://www.nonpareil.com.ph