Asia is the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing economic region that will shape the next phase of globalization. Global cross-border flows have been shifting towards Asia, leading to a proliferation of products and services. While Asian consumers are increasingly overwhelmed by the burgeoning choices, suppliers must contend with steep competition in the market that can only be overcome with quality, market penetration and customer satisfaction. Myanmar is the 26th most populous nation in the world at 55 million (Year 2022), with a median age of 29 years old. Many businesses have tried hard to connect with these consumers but they do not always have the right medium to establish the connection. This is where Myanmar Distribution Group (MDG) has stepped in to provide a solution.
Myanmar Distribution Group (MDG) from Myanmar has gained widespread trust in the country because of its specialized market expansion plans for clients. “Our comprehensive Market Expansion Services have allowed our partners to unlock the market’s potential. We can support our partners with various services, such as product registration, importation, customs clearance, brand and product management, sales, marketing, field marketing, procurement, warehousing, physical distribution, logistics services, invoicing, cash collection, after-sales services, and others”, mentions Aung Maw Thein, Founder and Managing Director.
Even though MDG has a long history in the field (23 years before COVID pandemic), it is duly challenged by the unprecedented upheavals and turmoil over the last three (3) years. The company had to mobilize all resources, experience, and knowledge (a case of all hands on deck) to navigate through the troubled times, operate with boldness to pursue new opportunities, and invest in distinctive capabilities, in particular technology and organizational talents. Against all odds, MDG completed significant IT transformation with a successful rollout of sales force automation, cloud-based performance analytics, built new e-Commerce capability, and launched new products with existing and new global brand owners. “We had to operate with flexibility, adaptability, dexterity, and resilience in the face of fluctuating operating conditions. Our rallying cry of 'Work As One, Win As One' reflects a unifying focus across the organization that band us together and galvanize our team into actions, and kept our operation running and thriving”, he adds.
Eyes on Excellence
Over the last 26 years, MDG has evolved from a trading company with limited geographical footprint into a leading national distributor for well-renowned international brands in Myanmar such as Nestle, Milo, Sunkist, Mamee, Mister Potato, Danisa, Kopiko, and many more.
MDG has established own integrated marketing agency and built manufacturing facility in its effort to enrich product and service offerings. MDG does not consciously judge itself against its peers in the industry. Instead of doing so, the company prefers to listen to both external and internal stakeholders’ feedback and take action in search of continuous improvements.
MDG’s strategic approach has always been to invest and focus on core areas, from people, technology, partnership, products, and business processes. The company consciously aims to inculcate a sense of ownership, instill pride, and harness all these core areas for optimal effectiveness and efficiencies for its route to market execution and after-sales customer support. Most important of all, it also regularly celebrates and rewards the team for key milestones and successes.
MDG’s partners, being well-renowned international brand owners, have vast experience and enviable successes globally. They expect MDG to meet, if not exceed, their growth aspiration in Myanmar through a strong route to market, consistent and reliable service delivery, and targeted geographical coverage. “At MDG, we adopt a comprehensive approach to ensure that we are clear in defining our strategic growth plan, invest in software and hardware to strengthen the operational capability, and apply detailed analytics to track and monitor a host of performance KPIs closely.
We are also mindful to stay nimble and adaptive to potential changes in the operating environment. MDG team will do what it takes to meet, if not exceed, partners’ expectations through a well-tuned operating rhythm that ensures optimal operational efficiency and effectiveness”, states the Managing Director.
Whilst staff turnover has been challenging for fast-moving consumer goods companies like MDG, the company has a core team of leaders in various areas to provide essential leadership and stewardship for business continuity and continued business growth. The consistency of leadership was especially critical during a tumultuous period, filled with unprecedented upheavals and challenges. “We can rally and mobilize our organization to stay focused and keep delivering our service promise to our key stakeholders”, he further adds.
Our comprehensive Market Expansion Services have allowed our partners to unlock the market’s potential
Future Endeavours
Companies will need to prepare for a continued period of flux, uncertainties, and constant changes. Companies like MDG have to stay on their toes, with a preparedness to evolve and adapt whilst building resilience, efficiency, innovation, and integrity in critical areas such as business models, organizational talents, technology, business process, supply chain, partnerships, and financial management. As the saying goes, “change is the only constant”, we cannot rest on our laurels.
“We need to constantly re-assess, re-evaluate and re-configure our business to stay progressive, innovative, and relevant to meet future challenges! The last three years have been particularly important for us to instill this urgency to act across the organization. Our strong positive result trajectory in recent years is a testament to this important mindset shift and will stay essential for our future growth”, concludes the Managing Director.
Aung Maw Thein, Founder & Managing Director
Aung Maw Thein is the Founder and Managing Director of Myanmar Distribution Group, Fine Wine Distribution, MDG Foods, as well as Myanmar Lion. Additionally, he is a Director of Nestle Myanmar and Asia Pacific Beverages Myanmar. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science from Mawlamyaing University. He has more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing, trading, and distribution industry, starting as a trader and evolving his businesses with extensive service offerings.
Mission & Vision
MDG’s mission is to be the leading platform of choice for its partners to provide quality goods and services to consumers throughout Myanmar. Its vision is to efficiently and effectively enable globally acclaimed products and services to connect over 55 million consumers in Myanmar.
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