Bernard Wong, the Managing Director of Panaflo Controls, has exemplified entrepreneurial resilience and innovation throughout his journey. With 24 years of experience in Flow Controls, Wong’s leadership philosophy centers around persistence and the belief that failure is simply a stepping stone to success. His journey began when a Dutch multinational company faced financial difficulties, prompting him to leave and found Panaflo Controls in 2004, a company that would grow into a leader in the flow control solutions industry.
Building a Strong Foundation
From its humble beginnings as a three-person operation, Panaflo Controls has grown to a team of 20 employees, achieving over $20 million in annual turnover. The company specializes in providing flow control solutions, such as valves and controls, to key industries like marine, petrochemical, chemical, oil, and gas. Despite the challenges of competing in a market dominated by European and American players, Panaflo Controls has carved out its niche in Asia, positioning itself as an emerging leader in the valve distribution industry.
Wong attributes much of Panaflo’s success to his dedicated team, stating that a business is only as strong as its people. His approach emphasizes the importance of systematic learning and growth within the company. “Knowledge will be the key driver, and people are our greatest asset,” he emphasizes. To maintain this momentum, Wong has focused on creating a company culture that encourages continual learning, development, and innovation.
Embracing Business Excellence
Under Wong’s leadership, Panaflo embarked on the path to “Business Excellence,” adopting a comprehensive integrated leadership and management system. This framework, which encompasses critical elements like leadership, strategy, people development, information and knowledge management, safety, service delivery, product quality, and financial results, allows the company to continually assess and improve all aspects of its operations.
The company’s vision is to become an international leader in the provision of total solutions for piping systems and flow controls. Wong’s strategy is to stay ahead of the competition through technology and innovative ideas, with a focus on a knowledge-driven system. Key to this success is the ongoing development of Panaflo’s people, ensuring that they have the tools and skills needed to meet market challenges and customer expectations.
Leadership and Entrepreneurial Qualities
For Wong, a successful entrepreneur is not just a business owner but also an innovator—a creator of new ideas and business processes. He believes that management skills, strong team-building abilities, and leadership are essential qualities for any entrepreneur. A visionary who recognizes the importance of adapting to market changes, Wong also views himself as an inducer of success, seeking to inspire and engage his staff in the company’s growth.
Looking to the Future
Panaflo’s continued success is rooted in its commitment to learning, development, and employee engagement. Wong plans to ensure that the company is prepared for the future by developing its human capital, encouraging staff to grow with the business. He envisions Panaflo Controls as not just a provider of products but as an influential player in shaping the flow control industry in Asia, with a reputation for innovation and excellence.
Through his leadership, Bernard Wong has transformed Panaflo Controls into a successful business that exemplifies the importance of persistence, innovation, and a strong, engaged team. His approach to entrepreneurship offers valuable lessons in resilience, leadership, and the power of continuous improvement in building a business for long-term success.
