By Kathleen Pokrud
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously led the commemoration of BGrimm's 145th anniversary of conducting business in Thailand. An organization deeply integrated into Thai society, its business philosophy is based on compassion, and thus the event had as its theme, "BGrimm: 145 Years of Compassionate Business, Serving and Growing Hand in Hand with Thailand".
Mr. Harald Link and the Bgrimm executive team welcomed Her Royal Highness to the "145 Years of B.Grimm" exhibition held at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (Temple of the Dawn). The exhibition narrated the history of BGrimm, an organization spanning the reigns of six Chakri dynasty monarchs that has been dedicated to conducting business that fosters friendly relations with civil society. The exhibition transported visitors back to the year 1878, marking the inception of the journey to Thailand by the German pharmacist Bernhard Grimm and his Austrian partner Erwin Mueller. Their venture led to the establishment of a pharmaceutical and chemical product distribution centre on Soi Oriental Hotel, Charoenkrung Road, known as the "Siam Dispensary", the first Western apothecary in Siam. It was also appointed as a Royal drug store during the reign of King Chulalongkorn The Great (Rama V).
BGrimm has experienced substantial growth and expansion across diverse business domains, navigating significant changes marked by the passing of pharmacist Bernhard Grimm, political events, alterations in partnerships and the impacts of war. Despite confronting various challenges, BGrimm has adhered to its business philosophy, persistently engaging in compassionate business practices. The commitment to serving and growing alongside Thailand remains unwavering through the passage of time to the present day.
Under the leadership of Mr Harald Link, the third-generation heir of the Link family, BGrimm continues to uphold the work ethic instilled by its ancestors, characterized by the principle of "conducting business with compassion". This year, BGrimm boasts a remarkable 145-year legacy of operations in Thailand.
BGrimm's business operations are organized into six main groups, encompassing a diverse range of industries. This includes their Energy Business, where the company operates power plants, and Industrial Business, which focuses on providing comprehensive solutions for energy management and connecting systems in both the construction and industrial sectors. The Industrial Business is further divided into distinct categories, namely, construction products and building solutions, cooling systems, air conditioning systems, energy equipment and transportation. Their Health Business focuses on delivering medical supplies, health products, and advanced medical services. In the realm of Digital Technology, the company is dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technology and fostering new innovations for the development of products and services in the market. Additionally, BGrimm is actively engaged in the Lifestyle Business, distributing various fashion products and extending its presence to the Real Estate sector.
The engaging exhibition, "145 Years of BGrimm", adorned the Phra Prang area of Wat Arun. It skilfully unfolded the rich history and intricately woven stories of BGrimm, spanning from the reign of King Rama V to the present era. A delightful culinary journey accompanied the historical showcase, featuring booths that presented food typical of each reign.
In addition to the grandeur of Wat Arun, the event was further enriched by a captivating Khon performance. Specifically, the performance delved into the "Battle of Saeng Artit" (Battle of Sunlight) episode from the Ramayana, creatively interpreted by Pichet Klunchun, a renowned contemporary Thai artist. This mesmerizing presentation unfolded against a backdrop of contemporary classical music composed by Prof Dr Narongrit Dhamabutra, a National Artist, and skilfully performed by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO), under the baton of the esteemed conductor, Dr Vanich Potavanich.
This exhibition served as a testament to the invaluable history and enduring spirit of BGrimm’s ancestors. Over the course of the past 145 years, BGrimm has consistently been dedicated to conducting business with a profound sense of service to the country.
