With innovations: Construction entrepreneur meets competition head on

CEBU, Philippines -  â€œThere is no limit to innovations.”

To survive in the fast-paced construction industry, Magna CMGN Solutions president Mary Lou Ngo-Ang capitalizes on innovation to respond to the evolving needs of the market.

With her love for construction that started 13 years ago, the lady president managed to run and operate a business for already a decade now.

She started to be exposed in the field with her family-owned projects and then began supplying to interior designers and architects.

She was properly trained by her father and challenged by her mother’s keen eye for detail which then prompted her to grow her passion in the industry and pursue her quest for the right materials to use in her products. Savings and quality have been her top priorities in her business.

“My parents want their projects to be on time and are affordable in budget. So I look for alternative ways wherein we could cut short and save costs,” she shared.

From then on, Ang aimed to produce products such as paint-free and scratch-proof boards that would help eliminate construction costs, time, manpower and consumables. She also intended to help lessen the hassle for her every client.

“Our boards are made of high gloss on one side and the other side with matte. There’s no need to paint which makes it affordable,” she explained.

Magna CMGN UV/Acrylic waveboards are also pre-finished and ready-to-use products that can be used for ceiling and wall paneling, door frames, and partitions among others.

“We are introducing boards that are going to be pre-cut already at the factory and will just merely bulk it in the client’s space. We’ve done away with the cutting and welding works. The Philippine market is different. If it can be used for a cabinet, it can be a wall, a ceiling, it can be everything,” Ang said.

Most of Magna’s finishes are imported in China and assembled in the Philippines. It then supplies its products to its clients in Cebu, General Santos, Davao, Bohol and Manila.

Ang further described the present marketplace as a promising with the expansion of hotels, condominiums and residential projects.

The advent of social media would also require an entrepreneur to introduce new products and services or else, she may be left behind.

She also said that it is also best to carefully listen and diligently work with the clients in order to discover what they need and provide the market with more options.

Aside from innovation, Ang banks on the functionality and flexibility of her products to stay ahead of the game.

She pointed out that once an entrepreneur innovates, she practically eliminates competition against other industry players.

“You’re not exactly selling the same thing already. And when you put in service, you’re totally out of the competition,” she concludes.

Established in 2003, Magna CMGN Solutions is a specialty importer and contractor of interior and exterior construction materials, quality furniture, hardware and accessories.

It also offers panels suitable for almost every application in retail outlets, shopping malls, offices, multiplexes, restaurants and entertainment events, reception centers, conference rooms, condominium units, and houses.

Its mother company, Dynamic Castings, is the country’s leading manufacturer of internationally-classed and high-quality non-ferrous metal castings.

Magna CMGN Solutions was awarded the best exhibit during the 5th PhilConstruct Visayas that was held last June 5 to 7 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. (FREEMAN)