Lim, who aspired to be remembered "as someone who could elevate the standard of living for farmers in Southeast Asia," left a remarkable legacy.
His career spanned both enterprise-building and leading the largest and most prestigious association of Filipino-Chinese businessmen. He left behind not only a legacy of grit and perseverance but also valuable life and business lessons, all rooted in the Lim family virtues of loyalty, obedience, patience, and generosity.
Overcoming challenges
“I grew up in an ordinary family,” recalled Lim in an interview with CHiNOY TV. “I had my ups and downs.”
He recalled being bullied in childhood but found strength and guidance in his mother, Maria Co Chiao Tim Lim, after whom Doña Maria Premium Quality Rice was named.
He remembered fondly how his mother would tell him the histories of great Chinese men, allowing him to learn from their stories.
Meanwhile, Lim attributed his business acumen to his father, Lim Seh Leng, a Chinese immigrant who founded Central Bookstore in 1946. “He challenged me,” he said.
Coming from a large family of eight brothers, his father’s modest bookstore in Binondo paled in comparison to the businesses of his siblings who already ran factories.
“Deep inside, at the back of my mind, [I knew] we would become as big or even bigger,” said Lim.
When Lim Seh Leng died unexpectedly at age 49, causing fears that their business would close, Henry, as the eldest at 24, had to take over.“I wanted to prove them wrong,” he further said.
With the help of his brother Joseph, he managed to expand their struggling business to what would eventually become the Sterling Paper Group of Companies that marked its 70th anniversary in 2016. Today, Sterling includes, aside from Central Bookstore, Sterling Paper Enterprise, Inc., SP Properties, Inc., Sterling Global Call Center, Inc., Expressions, SL-Agritech Corp., among others.
On November 17, 2000, tragedy again struck the Lim family. Coming from a department store opening in Olongapo, the van they were riding was hit head-on by a container truck, killing his mother, his brother Willy, and, a day later, their driver. Henry himself was seriously injured, with five broken ribs.
Never stop learning
A voracious reader, he said that his father wanted him to take up either economics, marketing, or management in college.
“Economics, which is supply and demand, no challenge; marketing, which is buy and sell, no challenge; management, which is common sense, no challenge,” Lim recalled telling his father.
Instead, he graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Philippines, going against his father’s wishes.
However, he soon realized, "I can't even interpret a balance sheet.”
This led Lim to the Ateneo, enrolling in short courses in management and accounting for non-accountants. In addition, he took Dale Carnegie courses to enhance his communication and leadership skills.
In exploring the possibility of hybrid rice cultivation in the Philippines, Lim did extensive research, visiting the International Rice Research Institute or IRRI and sought advice from Professor Yuan Longping, a key figure in developing hybrid rice in China.
Their friendship led Professor Yuan to send three of his experts, including scientists and technicians, to assist Lim.
Despite facing numerous difficulties and setbacks, their perseverance eventually paid off: they succeeded in developing SL-8H, the first Philippine tropical hybrid rice variety under SL-Agritech Corp., marking a milestone in local agriculture and agribusiness.
“See different cultures… learn from the Chinese, Japanese, Americans— adapt,” said Lim.
Sell high, sell more
Lim Seh Leng diverged from the usual Chinese business approach of selling cheap to boost volume. Instead, he believed in high pricing to achieve greater sales, a strategy his son applied in producing Sterling notebooks and Doña Maria Premium Quality Rice.
“You have to reach the top category otherwise it’s a waste of time,” said Lim, referring to how premium pricing can lead to product leadership.
For Sterling notebooks, this meant employing artists for the best cover designs while using only the finest quality paper with no crooked lines.
Lim was also a believer in customer intimacy, maintaining a good relationship with one’s customers; and in innovation, which he said translates to a competitive advantage, as well as in product excellence.
Becoming a leader
Lim acknowledged that he wasn't a born leader and that it was something he had to train himself to be.
“I forced myself to believe in what I can do,” he said in a piece from Empirics Asia. “My family taught me that the only way for me to achieve my dreams is through hard work and perseverance.”
Truly, in his lifetime, Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong was able to reach his dreams and more, touching the lives of countless individuals from all walks of life.
“He was a source of hope and of inspiration to many, and his legacy will continue to influence and guide us,” said Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, FFCCII president, in a statement.
Features Reporter
