About Chemcare Group
Chemcare Group is a truly national company with operations in every major town in PNG. Chemcare Group Ltd is currently comprised of seven businesses: Chemcare Pharmacies, Niugini Wholesale Drug, Andersons Foodland & Andersons Express, Rabtrad, Printfast, Morobe Bakery and Primary Healthcare Clinics¹. The seven businesses combined supply pharmaceutical and supermarket goods for both retail and wholesale to a number of markets including: health, FMCG, mining, residential, corporate, hospitality, and sports and recreation. In addition, Chemcare offers digital photo-processing, framing and print services¹.
Chemcare Group was founded in 1978 by Kerry McDonough, who is still the chairman of the company⁴. The company has grown from a single pharmacy in Lae to a diversified group of businesses with over 1600 staff, 97% being PNG nationals¹. Chemcare Group has a strong commitment to customer service, quality products, staff training and development, and corporate social responsibility¹.
Achievements and Strengths
Chemcare Group has achieved many milestones and accolades over the years. Some of them are:
- In 2010, Chemcare was awarded Good Corporate Citizenship status by the PNG government. This recognition signifies the long term commitment that Chemcare has to its business goals and its positive impact on the people of PNG¹.
- In 2012, Chemcare Pharmacies won the PNG Institute of Directors Award for Best Corporate Governance Practices in the Private Sector⁴.
- In 2013, Chemcare Pharmacies launched the first online pharmacy service in PNG, allowing customers to order and pay for their medicines online and have them delivered to their doorstep⁴.
- In 2015, Chemcare Group opened its first Primary Healthcare Clinic in Lae, offering affordable and accessible healthcare services to the community. The clinic provides general consultations, vaccinations, laboratory tests, dental care, physiotherapy, ultrasound scans and more⁴.
- In 2016, Chemcare Group acquired Morobe Bakery, a leading bakery business in Lae that produces bread, cakes, pies and other baked goods⁴.
- In 2017, Chemcare Group launched its own loyalty program called Chemcard, which rewards customers with points for every purchase they make at any of the Chemcare outlets. The points can be redeemed for discounts or vouchers at participating stores⁴.
- In 2019, Chemcare Group partnered with Wantokjobs.com to advertise its job vacancies and attract qualified candidates for its various positions. Wantokjobs.com is a leading online job portal in PNG that connects employers and job seekers through its user-friendly platform⁵.
- In 2020, Chemcare Group donated K100,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment to the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae to support its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation included masks, gloves, thermometers, hand sanitizers and oxygen concentrators⁵.
Chemcare Group’s key strengths include:
- Its diversified portfolio of businesses that cater to different segments of the market and provide a range of products and services.
- Its extensive network of outlets across PNG that ensure wide coverage and accessibility for customers.
- Its loyal customer base that trusts Chemcare for its quality products and professional care.
- Its experienced and dedicated staff that undergo continuous training and development to enhance their skills and performance.
- Its innovative and adaptive approach to business that embraces new technologies and opportunities.
Comparison with Other Employers
Chemcare Group is one of the leading employers in PNG in the retail and pharmaceutical sectors. It competes with other local and international companies that operate in similar fields. Some of them are:
- City Pharmacy Limited (CPL), which is the largest retail pharmacy chain in PNG with over 50 outlets nationwide. CPL also operates other retail businesses such as Stop N Shop supermarkets, Hardware Haus stores and Jack’s of PNG clothing outlets.
- Bismark Maritime Limited (BML), which is a major supplier of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment in PNG. BML also provides shipping services, logistics solutions and fuel distribution across the country.
- Goodman Fielder International (PNG) Limited (GFI), which is a leading manufacturer and distributor of food products in PNG. GFI produces bread, flour, biscuits, snacks, dairy products, cooking oil and more under various brands such as Flame Flour Milling Company Ltd., Snax Biscuits Ltd., Meadow Lea Foods Ltd., Crest Chicken Ltd. and others.
Compared to these competitors, Chemcare Group has some advantages such as:
- Its long history and reputation in the PNG market that gives it an edge over newer entrants.
- Its diversified portfolio of businesses that reduces its reliance on a single sector or product line.
- Its focus on customer service and care that sets it apart from other retailers and wholesalers.
- Its partnership with Wantokjobs.com that helps it attract and retain talent for its various positions.
However, Chemcare Group also faces some challenges such as:
- The high cost of doing business in PNG, especially in terms of transportation, security, utilities and taxes.
- The fluctuating economic and political situation in PNG that affects consumer demand and confidence.
- The increasing competition from other local and international players that offer similar or cheaper products and services.
- The changing customer preferences and expectations that require constant innovation and adaptation.
Comparison with Global Employers
Chemcare Group is a national company that operates mainly in PNG. However, it can also be compared to some global employers that operate in similar sectors or markets. Some of them are:
- Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), which is the largest retail pharmacy chain in the world with over 21,000 stores in 25 countries. WBA also operates other businesses such as wholesale pharmaceutical distribution, health and beauty products, optical services and digital platforms.
- Walmart Inc., which is the largest retailer in the world with over 11,000 stores in 27 countries. Walmart also operates other businesses such as e-commerce, grocery delivery, financial services and health clinics.
- Nestlé S.A., which is the largest food and beverage company in the world with over 2,000 brands and products sold in 187 countries. Nestlé also operates other businesses such as pet food, bottled water, coffee, nutrition and health sciences.
Compared to these global employers, Chemcare Group has some similarities such as:
- Its diversified portfolio of businesses that cater to different segments of the market and provide a range of products and services.
- Its extensive network of outlets across PNG that ensure wide coverage and accessibility for customers.
- Its loyal customer base that trusts Chemcare for its quality products and professional care.
However, Chemcare Group also has some differences such as:
- Its smaller scale and scope of operations that limit its reach and influence beyond PNG.
- Its lower level of resources and capabilities that restrict its ability to compete with larger and more established players.
- Its lack of international presence and exposure that reduce its opportunities for growth and expansion.
How Wantokjobs.com Can Help
Wantokjobs.com is a leading online job portal in PNG that connects employers and job seekers through its user-friendly platform. Wantokjobs.com can help Chemcare Group with its recruitment needs by:
- Providing a wide pool of qualified candidates for its various positions across its different businesses.
- Offering a cost-effective and efficient way of advertising its job vacancies and screening its applicants.
- Enhancing its employer brand and reputation by showcasing its achievements, strengths and values.
- Supporting its staff retention and development by providing career advice, training opportunities and feedback.
Wantokjobs.com is more than just a job portal. It is a partner for Chemcare Group in achieving its business goals and vision.
Final Remarks
Chemcare Group is a leading national company in PNG that operates in the retail and pharmaceutical sectors. It has a diversified portfolio of businesses that supply a range of products and services to various markets. It has achieved many milestones and accolades over the years and has a strong commitment to customer service, quality products, staff training and development, and corporate social responsibility. It competes with other local and international companies that operate in similar fields. It has some advantages and challenges in the PNG market. It can also be compared to some global employers that operate in similar sectors or markets. It has some similarities and differences with them. It can benefit from partnering with Wantokjobs.com, a leading online job portal in PNG that can help it with its recruitment needs.
Chemcare Group is a company that deserves recognition and respect for its contributions to the PNG economy and society. It is also a company that offers exciting and rewarding career opportunities for those who share its vision and values. If you are interested in working for Chemcare Group, visit Wantokjobs.com today to find out more.
¹: https://www.chemcaregroup.com.pg/
²: http://www.chemcaregroup.com.pg/contact-us
³: http://www.chemcaregroup.com.pg/subsidiaries/chemcare-pharmacies
⁴: https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.chemcare_group_limited.d5628db40365f89c784868e9662ad093.html
⁵: https://thepngbulletin.com/tag/chemcare/
: https://www.cpl.com.pg/
: https://www.bismark.com.pg/
: https://www.goodmanfielder.com/our-businesses/papua-new-guinea/
: https://www.walgreensbootsalliance.com/
: https://corporate.walmart.com
Source: Conversation with Bing, 11/07/2023
(1) Home | Chemcare Group Ltd. https://www.chemcaregroup.com.pg/.
(2) CHEMCARE GROUP LIMITED Company Profile – Dun & Bradstreet. https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.chemcare_group_limited.d5628db40365f89c784868e9662ad093.html.
(3) Chemcare Archives – The PNG Bulletin. https://thepngbulletin.com/tag/chemcare/.
(4) Contact Us | Chemcare Group Ltd. http://www.chemcaregroup.com.pg/contact-us.
(5) Chemcare Pharmacies | Chemcare Group Ltd. http://www.chemcaregroup.com.pg/subsidiaries/chemcare-pharmacies.