The Lam siblings remember their childhood as a busy one. “We would work summer jobs, and sometimes even on the weekends,” recalled Aimee. “During the holidays, our friends would leave town, and we’d be working. Truth be told, back then, there was resentment. Why did we have to work?” What the trio didn’t realize was that they were part of a family legacy. Their parents are Joey and Herminia Lam, the husband-wife power duo who founded Fighter Lock Philippines Corporation (FLPC) in 1986, one of the country’s leading distributors of hardware, construction, and electrical materials in the country. While their peers were enjoying the simple joys of childhood, Alvin, Aimee, and Alrich, were training to take on the keys of the family kingdom.

The journey wasn’t easy. Unlike other COOs (Children of Owner), their parents strongly believed that their children needed to start from the bottom. As early as grade school, the siblings were asked to man the stores, make deliveries, and learn the behind-the-scenes nature of their homegrown company. Alvin, the firstborn, was the first to find his footing within FLPC. “He was a bit of a wild child,” Aimee shared with a laugh. As a way to deal with his rowdiness, Alvin was sent to China to learn Mandarin. It wasn’t long before he was homesick. The eldest son begged his parents to let him come back to the Philippines, promising that he would finally shape up. He kept his word, and soon began running the business’ daily operations.

Aimee had a similar journey. She went to Canada to study, as a way of escaping the dullness of a daily routine. Although she was looking to do something entirely different, she realized her heart belonged back at home. “Honestly, I sort of missed it, because the values were so [instilled] in me,” she nostalgically shared. “They told us time and time again, that this was our bread and butter. They frequently told us what they went through—their rags to riches story. I felt that it was such a waste to throw this opportunity away if we didn’t continue it.” She moved back home, ultimately taking her place as the company’s head of finance.

Their youngest sibling, Alrich, also felt a sense of resentment as a child. While all he wanted to do was play with his friends, he was asked to work instead. Growing up around his older siblings (Aimee is 4 years older than him, while Alvin is 10) and seeing them contribute to the company’s success, he came on board after college, handling the FLPC’s marketing department. “I realized, all the experiences we had mattered, because it helped us become who we are today,” Alrich says.

Although it’s easy to look at their story as the typical Chinese kids who were forced into their family business, the Lam siblings don’t feel that way at all. The truth is, they are grateful to their parents for instilling in them the importance of having a family legacy. What started as a humble home-based business is now a well-oiled machine, with three passionate company heads eager and happy to build it up to its full potential. “While my job in this company was a source of resentment and annoyance back then, right now it’s a source of pride,” Aimee shared. “When I used to wake up, I felt such dread. But now, I feel so excited. The foundations were solidified in us at such an early age. My siblings and I also use this company as a place to bond. We aren’t only able to build the company up, but up our familial relationships as well.” Business talk now feels like a bonding session for the Lam’s. They view each day as a new and exciting challenge to overcome.

When they are in the office together, they handle their own jobs with ease, knowing that the other two siblings are there whenever they need each other. The Lams admit that whenever anyone has a problem, they drop everything and make themselves available. “We make each other the priority,” they share. “We knew we had to be united. Our mom especially told us, if you’re all going to fight, nothing is ever going to happen. That’s the number one thing we had to learn.” Another important lesson instilled into them by their parents is that they are all equal. While many traditional Chinese families believe that the eldest should be the most respected, the Lams reject that dogma. Because of this, they are able to challenge each other’s perspectives, which have been instrument in the company’s continuous growth.

As a trio, Alvin, Aimee and Alrich, have been able to bring FLPC into the modern age. “Our company was very traditional,” explains Alrich. “When we started working there, we noticed that there wasn’t a strong sense of company culture. There was no hierarchy. That was one of the biggest things we established.”  The three put their minds together to build a professional image, as well as streamline operations, that propelled the company from a small family business to a thriving corporation. Soon, they were able to tap bigger clients, such as depots and large developments. Under their watch, FLPC has expanded from being more than a distributor, but also a creator of their own brands. Amongst them is LAMCO (plumbing needs), Aimee (locks and keys), and Kantt (LED lighting).

While FLPC is getting bigger, the siblings admit that they still hold their parent’s ideologies close to their heart. “We don’t want to lean so much towards that hierarchal company culture where the bosses can’t be seen anymore,” said Aimee, speaking for herself and her brothers. “We feel that balance is the most important thing all the time. It’s also the most difficult thing to achieve. Originally, we rejected our parent’s traditional style. But eventually, we noticed that there were some great values in what they did. So now, we’re at an equilibrium. Not only do we feel like we constructed the company, but there’s still that personal touch of family.”

When asked if they’d want their own children to work for the company, the three were quick to agree that they hope that they’d actually want to. But even if they didn’t, they would never force them into it. This would give them their own opportunity to find their own passions. “I would respect their passion,” said eldest brother Alvin. “But I would also require them to work for Fighter Lock for a short bit, just so that they learn the culture we learned from our parents. This is so we can pass it on to them, so that if they want to work outside, they get that strong foundations that we did.” Although their success was born from resentment, the Lam siblings are certain that they are where they’re supposed to be. “We can do anything when we’re together,” Aimee shared. “It feels really nice and very fulling to go through this together.” As they continue to construct their empire, the Lams have embraced their destiny with open minds and a smile.

Get in touch with Alvin, Aimee and Alrich Lam through:

Aimee – aimeelam@flpc.com.ph
Alvin – alvinlam@flpc.com.ph
Alrich – alrichlam@flpc.com.ph

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