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CEBU CITY, Philippines - He started with three printing machines in a small space on Sanciangko Street, Cebu City in the early 1980s. Now more than two decades later, Donato Busa runs a printing plant equipped with 6 primary machines and 10 accessory machines.
In January 1983, Busa started printing souvenir programs, wedding invitations and calling cards with three machines in a small space on Sanciangko Street.
Because he was a new player in the business, Busa became both an employer to his three workers, and an employee to himself. His job for his printing business included being a collector and a salesman.
Busa, an Industrial Engineering graduate of the University of San Jose Recoletos, only had P6,000 as working capital.
The money was his separation pay after resigning as marketing personnel for a multinational company.
Since he did not want to work for another company, Busa, in his mid-twenties then, decided to open his own printing business — DMC Busa Printers.
Busa was inspired by his previous experience working as manager and machine operator for Balintawak Press, his father's business. He was then 16 years old.
The Busa family was originally from Butuan. They migrated to Cebu in 1968.
Since he was known by suppliers, due to his exposure in his father's business, Busa was able to run the business with his P6,000 with the advantage of being given a credit line by the suppliers.
Running his own business exposed Busa to an industry where the battle lies on giving the right price, printing good quality materials and on time delivery.
“If you fail in all three, you fail your customers. These three are our drivers, our motto,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Eleven months after his new venture, Busa married Rosalina, a certified public account, who helped him make ends meet in terms of finances and marketing.
Technology
This year, Busa said they closed the Sanciangko office to concentrate on the Mandaue plant.
In 1988, DMC Busa Printers opened a plant in Barangay (village) Tipolo in Mandaue City while the Sanciangko office was still operating to accept orders.
The three machines, which he used in the early phase of the business, were rented from his father.
From there, Busa embraced different technologies.
In the early 90s, he started using computer programs such as microprocessor Pentium 1. In 2000, he purchased full-color machines and image setters.
The printing center has 24 employees manning 6 primary machines and more than 10 accessory machines.
“This is a technology-intensive industry so you have to keep up. It's hard but if you just stay true to the three factors of price, quality and delivery, you won't go wrong,” he said.
Busa admitted that the industry is currently hard-hit by rising prices of commodities and power.
“The past five months have been very difficult. Our sales hit rock-bottom...our sales was cut to half. The market is depressed. Everybody is holding on to their money,” he said.
The present financial situation also resulted to the closure of some printing centers because of losses leading to bankruptcy.
Busa, who was past president of Cebu Association of Printers Inc. (Capi), said he went over the list of Capi member printing stores in Cebu two years ago and saw a significant decrease in the number of operating centers.
“Of course, there are new ones coming in but based on the record, out of the 100, only 20 are left,” Busa said.
To compensate for the losses and to beat the competition, DMC Busa Printers see to it that the existing clients remain loyal by improving on the three drivers.
Busa also opened doors to new markets.
Twenty-five percent of their existing portfolio are newspapers and newsletters, 25 percent goes to books and 50 percent is a combination of calling cards, calendars, receipts and souvenir programs among others.
They have also printed boxes and bags, which are sold in the local market.
DMC Busa Printers was also chosen by Jline Comics Center to publish the Filipino version of Doraemon, a popular Japanese manga and anime series.
Works are also underway to print the Pokemon series, another Japanese anime series.
Growth ahead
Busa said the industry will be more sophisticated in 10 years.
“This is the reason why we have asked the help of a PUM expert to help us in upgrading our system and possible turnover of the business to the next generation,” he said.
PUM is a non-government organization that gives free technical support and advice to private and public institutions.
Busa said expert Albert Emmink, who also owns a printing center in Holland, is helping them out in establishing a more productive system and structure.
“He (Emmink) told us that we should eliminate some production lines. He also told us the sad state in Asia when printing owners even at 85 years old is still managing the company,” he said.
“Albert is teaching us how to anticipate the clock so that we can carry out proper turnover to our children,” Busa added.
His sons, Diego, Rodrigo and Daniel are working with the printing center.
Busa, now 50 years old, said the culture of working closely with employees is a main ingredient in the company's success.
“We do a lot of prayer. Employees have morning formation and we have weekly Kasaulogan sa Pulong. It's nice to work in one direction with your employees,” he said.
