fires, looting, economic and political crisis were not enough obstacles to the King Group, which in its nearly 100 years of existence has always overcome adversity and has succeeded in becoming a business organizations largest and most important of Panama.
The emporium of fresh produce, groceries and dry goods, which began as a grocery store in Columbus, now has about 4,300 employees and sales of about $ 400 million a year. On 20 December next year will mark the centenary of this tour a path not without thorns and weeds, but in which the entrepreneurial desire of three generations of Greek immigrants has been a force unstoppable.
With 50-year-old father of three children, Nicholas is the president Pschoyos Tagarópulos Rey Group and represents the third generation of this entrepreneurial effort that started his grandfather, Don Antonio Tagarópulos.
With his style of dress more casual than formal, which leads to its employees to ask "to go where the boss" when it comes to suits and ties, Psychoyos is passionate when talking about the effort to ensure the growth of a emporium named "King", as nicknamed Antonio for their entrepreneurial spirit and drive. LESSONS LEARNED
business experience Psychoyos Nicholas began at age nine, when he made his first works in the company, as they have done their children.
experience early on so accustomed to the work "shoulder to shoulder" with others in the team and showed how the basic levels of the chain from the customer at the counter.
Before going to study in the U.S., had already gone through several departments Upon his return to Panama in 1982, after complying with graduate studies at Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), INCAE and business studies at Southern Methodist University, Nicholas Psychoyos joined the organization in the marketing area and in 1986 he became general manager.
In 1989, following the looting that hit the supermarkets and other businesses during the U.S. invasion of Panama on Dec. 20, it was he who had to back up the chain and make it go.
business leadership, which showed by his grandfather and father were Nicholas Psychoyos keys to occupy the presidency of the Merchants Association and Grocery Distributors of Panama (Acovipa) and became a member of the board of the National Council Company (Conep).
"In these 100 years we have been manufacturers, merchants, farmers, distributors, on a road which has learned everything, fires, looting and theft that have affected business, the triumphs , but mostly failures, "says Group President King.
With his drive and determination, the organization has not stopped growing and is now listed on the Stock Exchange of Panama, which has allowed it to have about 300 shareholders, 150 of which are part of their group by contributors. BALANCE
Despite the financial crisis, the conglomerate figures show results very positive.
King Group last year reported growth between 13% and 15% in their business, compared to 18% in 2008. "This is positive in the midst of rising fuel prices and other uncertainties and the rising prices of commodities such as corn, and sorghum, rice," says Tagaropulos.
Another aspect to highlight, according to the executive, was that last year the Group completed the integration of Romero, which was added about 25% of sales to Grupo Rey. FAIR POLITICAL
When talking about current government policies, the cluster leader spares no words to express positive considering the last adjustment to the minimum wage set by the national government. In his opinion, "there has been some degree of social peace with the adjustment," because it will allow our people to advance to different levels of workers in other countries. "
In his opinion, one of the issues that the country should pay particular attention to illegal immigration is because Panama has become an attractive place to come and work with the problems suffered by other countries, and improve the educational level of the Panamanians.
Although not completely rule out the possibility of investing abroad, the Group's strategy in 2010 will be king continue growing in Panama, where it is expected this year to open four more supermarkets.
FROM THE "MENTAL SPA"
The so-called "mental spa" as it tells a modern room in the offices of Street Group 50 of the capital, designed to relax and help the ideas flow business, carrying a giant screen and a light lunch buffet at the entrance, the president of Grupo Rey that his grandfather Don Antonio, a native of the city of Chalkis, Greece and then 15, and two of his cousins, 16 and 17 years, saved to travel to Panama in Martinique, a cargo ship that was also capable of carrying passengers. An uncle, whose experience encouraged them to set sail, received at the port of Colon. His first job was "water carriers", as it was to those who carried water to the dock workers. In the book "My best legacy of Don Antonio Tagarópulos Autobiography," published by journalist Gil Blas Tejeira, is that a bruised foot with a wheelbarrow full of cement forced the girl to go to work in a bakery, while cousins \u200b\u200bwho were with him in the venture went to the United States, discouraged by the difficult weather and hard work. In the bakery, Tagarópulos realized he might have to bring them the extra income after bread and other groceries to families in Columbus. His entrepreneurial spirit encouraged him to open a grocery store, and took his irrepressible energy to venture into other businesses, such as installation in 1917 of a pasteurization plant to supply Columbus and the former Canal Zone. Shortly thereafter
acquired a fleet of ships to carry goods to retailers of coastal towns, and carry passengers and mail.
In 1926, a Columbus fire destroyed part of one of its business. However, adversity does not daunted his spirit and that same year bought shares in the manufacturer of the Orange Crush drinks.
In 1939, another fire in Columbus affected the business again, but stayed the course, he recovered and continued to grow. In 1958 he founded the first supermarket King, Via Spain, and since then the chain has not stopped growing. STRUCTURE
King Group consists of:
supermarket chains King, Romero, and Mr. Price. Meat
Rey, meat processing company.
Agroindustrial Rey, vegetable processing company, which advises and provides services to farmers who give support to the chain. Agricultural
Rey, purchasing and processing cattle. Confectionery
Rey, which processes and distributes distributes bakery chain.
two distribution centers located in Panama and David and 37 supermarkets.
Source: Luis Alberto Sierra. La Estrella de Panama.
The emporium of fresh produce, groceries and dry goods, which began as a grocery store in Columbus, now has about 4,300 employees and sales of about $ 400 million a year. On 20 December next year will mark the centenary of this tour a path not without thorns and weeds, but in which the entrepreneurial desire of three generations of Greek immigrants has been a force unstoppable.
With 50-year-old father of three children, Nicholas is the president Pschoyos Tagarópulos Rey Group and represents the third generation of this entrepreneurial effort that started his grandfather, Don Antonio Tagarópulos.
With his style of dress more casual than formal, which leads to its employees to ask "to go where the boss" when it comes to suits and ties, Psychoyos is passionate when talking about the effort to ensure the growth of a emporium named "King", as nicknamed Antonio for their entrepreneurial spirit and drive. LESSONS LEARNED
business experience Psychoyos Nicholas began at age nine, when he made his first works in the company, as they have done their children.
experience early on so accustomed to the work "shoulder to shoulder" with others in the team and showed how the basic levels of the chain from the customer at the counter.
Before going to study in the U.S., had already gone through several departments Upon his return to Panama in 1982, after complying with graduate studies at Harvard Business School, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), INCAE and business studies at Southern Methodist University, Nicholas Psychoyos joined the organization in the marketing area and in 1986 he became general manager.
In 1989, following the looting that hit the supermarkets and other businesses during the U.S. invasion of Panama on Dec. 20, it was he who had to back up the chain and make it go.
business leadership, which showed by his grandfather and father were Nicholas Psychoyos keys to occupy the presidency of the Merchants Association and Grocery Distributors of Panama (Acovipa) and became a member of the board of the National Council Company (Conep).
"In these 100 years we have been manufacturers, merchants, farmers, distributors, on a road which has learned everything, fires, looting and theft that have affected business, the triumphs , but mostly failures, "says Group President King.
With his drive and determination, the organization has not stopped growing and is now listed on the Stock Exchange of Panama, which has allowed it to have about 300 shareholders, 150 of which are part of their group by contributors. BALANCE
Despite the financial crisis, the conglomerate figures show results very positive.
King Group last year reported growth between 13% and 15% in their business, compared to 18% in 2008. "This is positive in the midst of rising fuel prices and other uncertainties and the rising prices of commodities such as corn, and sorghum, rice," says Tagaropulos.
Another aspect to highlight, according to the executive, was that last year the Group completed the integration of Romero, which was added about 25% of sales to Grupo Rey. FAIR POLITICAL
When talking about current government policies, the cluster leader spares no words to express positive considering the last adjustment to the minimum wage set by the national government. In his opinion, "there has been some degree of social peace with the adjustment," because it will allow our people to advance to different levels of workers in other countries. "
In his opinion, one of the issues that the country should pay particular attention to illegal immigration is because Panama has become an attractive place to come and work with the problems suffered by other countries, and improve the educational level of the Panamanians.
Although not completely rule out the possibility of investing abroad, the Group's strategy in 2010 will be king continue growing in Panama, where it is expected this year to open four more supermarkets.
FROM THE "MENTAL SPA"
The so-called "mental spa" as it tells a modern room in the offices of Street Group 50 of the capital, designed to relax and help the ideas flow business, carrying a giant screen and a light lunch buffet at the entrance, the president of Grupo Rey that his grandfather Don Antonio, a native of the city of Chalkis, Greece and then 15, and two of his cousins, 16 and 17 years, saved to travel to Panama in Martinique, a cargo ship that was also capable of carrying passengers. An uncle, whose experience encouraged them to set sail, received at the port of Colon. His first job was "water carriers", as it was to those who carried water to the dock workers. In the book "My best legacy of Don Antonio Tagarópulos Autobiography," published by journalist Gil Blas Tejeira, is that a bruised foot with a wheelbarrow full of cement forced the girl to go to work in a bakery, while cousins \u200b\u200bwho were with him in the venture went to the United States, discouraged by the difficult weather and hard work. In the bakery, Tagarópulos realized he might have to bring them the extra income after bread and other groceries to families in Columbus. His entrepreneurial spirit encouraged him to open a grocery store, and took his irrepressible energy to venture into other businesses, such as installation in 1917 of a pasteurization plant to supply Columbus and the former Canal Zone. Shortly thereafter
acquired a fleet of ships to carry goods to retailers of coastal towns, and carry passengers and mail.
In 1926, a Columbus fire destroyed part of one of its business. However, adversity does not daunted his spirit and that same year bought shares in the manufacturer of the Orange Crush drinks.
In 1939, another fire in Columbus affected the business again, but stayed the course, he recovered and continued to grow. In 1958 he founded the first supermarket King, Via Spain, and since then the chain has not stopped growing. STRUCTURE
King Group consists of:
supermarket chains King, Romero, and Mr. Price. Meat
Rey, meat processing company.
Agroindustrial Rey, vegetable processing company, which advises and provides services to farmers who give support to the chain. Agricultural
Rey, purchasing and processing cattle. Confectionery
Rey, which processes and distributes distributes bakery chain.
two distribution centers located in Panama and David and 37 supermarkets.
Source: Luis Alberto Sierra. La Estrella de Panama.
