The test of time

MANILA, Philippines - A visitor is greeted by rows of tall grandfather clock cases, hand carved, the reddish-brown wood gleaming. Inside, the tiny screws, chains and myriad other parts that make up the clocks are neatly kept in their own compartments, waiting for well-trained hands to fit them together, to form the timepieces that the company specializes in and that clients around the world treasure.

It is really not surprising that brothers Alfred and Francis Adriano have ventured in the clock business – it is almost poetic. The Adriano brothers, after all, are upholding the Adriano family tradition, a legacy that has been passed down through generations for a hundred years.

Their great grandfather Sulpicio Adriano began his furniture business in 1911, the year that Avelino, his youngest son, was born. Growing up together with the business, Avelino showed the most interest in furniture making among the Adriano siblings, which made him the favorite. The family business went on to become one of the most popular and trusted brands in the industry, even being given the great honor of designing chairs for Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II during their visits to the Philippines.

Adriano became the top name in Philippine furniture making, with Avelino Adriano dubbed “Dean of Philippine Furniture.”

“My dad Ricardo worked with our grandfather as the general manager,” says Alfred. “Then we shifted to clocks in the mid-70s.”

The Adrianos’ clock business took off when an Australian businessman looking for grandfather clock cases passed by the company’s old Makati showroom on his way to the airport. “He dropped by and talked to our dad,” says Alfred. “That’s how the business started.”

Alfred recalls, “Our father was a workaholic. He even worked on Sundays.” As kids, Alfred and Francis would join their father at the factory, learning the intricacies of clock making. “Most of the time we were in the bodega (warehouse).”

“It was good training,” Alfred adds. “We learned all of the parts needed to make furniture and clocks, from the screws to the face.” When Ricardo passed away, it was the brothers’ turn to take over the family business. 

Dad joined the business right after college,” says Alfred, noting some of the differences between the family business then and the way it is run now. Alfred joined the business as well for a few years after college, but was advised by his mother to get some experience outside of the family business. “She encouraged us to be exposed, try working with other companies.”

Now, both Alfred and Francis have their “day jobs,” but continue to run their family business the best way they know how – applying what they learned from their father and grandfather on operations and management.

“We have highly skilled and well trained staff,” says Francis. “So it takes minimal supervision for us. But we have to maintain a high level of quality. We have the final say before anything is shipped out.”

Like their father before them, “when we have a chance after work or on weekends, we make sure to visit and monitor them,” says Alfred. “Before releasing an item, we have to check the quality ourselves because we have our standards.”

The brothers describe their Australian business partner as “very meticulous.” It was hard at first, the brothers say. “Our business partner was probably thinking, ‘Can these guys produce the same quality that Ricardo was producing?’” says Alfred. But, he reports, “For the past five years, we have been getting very good feedback from him.”

Achieving customer satisfaction is very important for the company, but the brothers recall it was even more challenging to get their father’s approval. “Before when my dad got sick, we already took over the quality check and then reported to him,” says Alfred. “Mahirap makuha ang trust ng Daddy (It was hard to earn Dad’s trust). You have to prove yourself first.” He adds, “We’ve learned a lot from him.”

Alfred and Francis have also learned to work well together. “We try to talk over our problems, no intrigues,” says Alfred. “We try to be open and have a clear division of labor.”

Though their children are not yet interested in the business, the Adriano brothers hope to one day pass on their legacy to the younger generation. “This is the best thing we can give to them, aside from a good education,” says Alfred. Looking forward, the brothers are also trying to expand the company even further in both the local and international markets. While there is a big market abroad, right now, the brothers are trying to enter the Philippine market with small clocks.

For the brothers, carrying the Adriano name means living up to the expectations of the customers in terms of quality. “We have to protect the quality and our reputation,” says Francis.

“If you compare our clocks to those made by Germans, our price is a lot lower, around one fourth of the price,” says Alfred. “In terms of the quality, our clocks are very good.”

Quality, in fact, is what they believe is the secret to 100 years of a successful family business. “We really take care to maintain the good quality of the product,” says Francis.

“We never sacrifice the quality,” Alfred adds.

“We are very proud, yet nervous. There are still so many challenges,” the brothers say on facing the future of a 100-year legacy, as they continue to make clocks that stand the test of time, bearing the Adriano name.