Raul Concepcion to hand over reins to 3rd generation

After 40 years in the family business, prominent businessman and industrialist Raul T. Concepcion is preparing to retire from the helm of Concepcion Industries, setting the stage for the takeover of the third generation of the Concepcion family.

Concepcion, known fondly to mediamen as "RTC," said that he was ready to turn over the leadership of Concepcion industries to a new generation of Concepcions whom he said he hoped would usher the company into the information age.

In a letter to STAR editors, Concepcion said his 40-year stint in the business and industry was bolstered by the values imparted by his father Jose Concepcion Sr., who founded Concepcion Industries at the age of 60, when many others would have opted to retire.

"His time honored values of hard work, attention to details, drive for perfection, excellence and integrity are the same values that have helped me in my 40 years in business," Concepcion said.

Concepcion said he would like to see Concepcion Industries in the information age, participating in e-commerce, on-line trading, outsourcing and expanded participation in agriculture

Unlike his brother Jose Concepcion Jr. who at one time, ran for public office, Concepcion cut a relatively low-profile although he played an active role in various advocacy groups, specifically the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), an industry group of over 200 manufacturing companies.

Known among his peers as "the true industrialist," Concepcion has consistently been at the forefront of vigorous campaigns on critical issues such as globalization, trade liberalization oil prices consumer rights and the economy.