Harjo Sutanto, RI’s Oldest Tycoon Succeeds Thanks to Soap

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

When it comes to dabbing soap, Indonesians will definitely remember Wings. This product that has been present from generation to generation was born from the hands of one richest man RI, Harjo Sutanto.

Harjo was born in 1926, when Indonesia was not yet independent. At the age of only two, Harjo moved from Tulungagung to Surabaya.

He decided to ‘migrate’ to a neighboring town to set up a homemade soap factory with his partner, Johanes F Katuari.

The factory was founded on September 21, 1948 and was given the name “Fa Wings”. Quoting from the official site Wings, “Fa” comes from the phrase “fa thong fat” which means success and prosperity together.

Together with 6 workers, Harjo produces bar soap. Not long after, Harjo and Johanes innovated by producing dab soap for washing clothes which was selling well in the market.

Harjo sells soap from house to house by bicycle around Surabaya. After that, Harjo started selling his products in the market through agents and stalls in East Java.

In 1971, Fa Wings produced Wings-Economy cream soap which also sold well. This is used by the company to maximize marketing and distribution channels.

After three years, Harjo and his colleagues decided to open a marketing office in Jakarta. They want to spread their wings in the capital city.

In 1976, the company established a subsidiary, PT Sayap Mas Utama, which produces soap and plastic wrap.

The 1980s was a time for Wings to do a massive expansion. In this era, the company started to produce So Klin detergent. The company also sells the popular Giv bath soap.

After that, Wings built a number of new factories and distribution centers so that its products could be purchased from Sabang to Merauke.

Wings cooperates with foreign companies to make its products more diverse. In 1981, the company established PT Cipta Segar Harum which later became PT Lion Wings.

Through this company, Wings collaborates with the Lion group from Japan to produce various products ranging from Emeron shampoo to Mama dishwashing soap. In 1991, the name Fa Wings changed to PT Wings Surya until now.

Currently, Wings is one of the giant producers of soap and various household needs. Wings has also entered the food and beverage sector by producing packaged drinks, powdered drinks, and instant noodles.

There are at least five Wings product groups, starting from Wings Care, Lion Wings, Wings Food, Calbee Wings, and Glico Wings. Its products can be easily found in stalls to supermarkets.

Not only producing household goods, the company also holds franchise rights to minimarket from Japan in Indonesia, Family Mart, and fast food restaurant Yoshinoya.

Wings’ success added to Harjo’s coffers of wealth. Last year, he was ranked as the 48th richest person in Indonesia.

As of Friday (12/11), Forbes noted that the 95-year-old man’s wealth reached US$530 million or around Rp7.5 trillion (Rp14,250 per US dollar).

In his old age, Harjo chooses to spend time with his family and away from the media spotlight. It is evident from the lack of information and news about Harjo and his family.

[Gambas:Video CNN]

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