As with many start-ups, Group O began with humble origins.\u00a0 The company was founded as Bi-State Packaging on October 1, 1974, when Bob Ontiveros quit his job to start his own business selling packaging supplies out of his family station wagon.\u00a0 As one of 10 children born to second-generation Mexican immigrants in the working-class Floreciente neighborhood of Moline, Illinois, Ontiveros knew that he wanted something more \u2013 and that he could create his own opportunities.
Ontiveros started by knocking on doors selling packaging supplies and equipment.\u00a0 Around the same time, corporate clients started to practice supplier diversity initiatives and suggested that Ontiveros look into getting certified as a minority business enterprise.
\u201cI started researching supplier diversity and went to our first minority trade fair in Chicago,\u201d said Ontiveros.\u00a0 \u201cWe joined the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) in 1981, and those connections helped us grow our business even more. Supplier diversity has grown from a federal requirement to a new philosophy based on demographics. Companies today see that it\u2019s good for business and a win-win.\u201d
As the company grew through the 80s and 90s, it added new businesses and entered new markets.\u00a0 Bob\u2019s wife, Blenda, and sons Chris and Gregg joined the family business, and the Group O corporate umbrella was formed in 1992.
\u201cCustomers would ask us \u2018what is it that you do?\u2019\u201d said Gregg Ontiveros, Bob\u2019s son and current CEO. \u201cOur answer has always been \u2018what is it that you need done?\u2019 That can-do attitude toward solving problems and helping our customers do things better, faster or less expensively is baked into the company\u2019s DNA.\u201d
Today, Group O solves problems for its clients across a wide spectrum. The Packaging Solutions team continues to help clients optimize their containment results through a custom mix of materials, equipment, service and analysis. The Supply Chain Solutions unit, meanwhile, does everything from bottling and shipping coolant worldwide to assembling custom repair kits for heavy equipment to managing high-tech devices and merchandising for retail locations. The Marketing Solutions group provides large-scale customer reward and rebate solutions, including data management, sourcing, creative services, and web and mobile application development. A 250-seat customer care center provides branded, high-touch support and sales. And the Business Analytics team recruits and manages more than 190 technology professionals both at client sites and offshore to help clients make better business decisions.
Gregg Ontiveros expects that recent facility additions in Minneapolis and Dallas will enable Group O to expand through the midsection of the United States and return to its employment high of more than 1,800 people, despite challenges that affect minority and other businesses alike.
\u201cBased on factors like rapidly emerging technologies, business cycles have compressed from three to five years in the past to 18 to 36 months today,\u201d says Ontiveros.\u00a0 \u201cYou really have to be diligent about understanding where your customers are going and what they\u2019re doing. If you\u2019re not evolving with them, you could find yourself facing your own ice age. That\u2019s not exclusive to diversity companies. It\u2019s the world we live in today.\u201d
Based on its record of growth, Group O has done well evolving with its clients. NMSDC selected Group O as National Minority Supplier of the Year and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) recognized the company as one of the top-five Latino-owned businesses in the country. Group O has also earned top-supplier recognition from several of its clients.
Both Bob and Gregg Ontiveros have also been recognized for their professional achievements, business mentoring and community involvement. Gregg was named USHCC Hispanic Businessman of the Year in 2012 and to the 50 Influentials list published by Hispanic Business. Meanwhile, Bob Ontiveros has received a variety of recognition, highlighted by a 2013 Order of Lincoln award \u2013 the state of Illinois\u2019 highest honor.
Awards like that recognize the Ontiveros\u2019 family\u2019s commitment to serving its community and mentoring other minority business entrepreneurs. Gregg Ontiveros has participated in the President\u2019s Hispanic CEO Roundtable at the White House. And the company also announced the second of five $10,000 scholarships for Hispanic MBA students at the USHCC national convention September 23 in Salt Lake City.
\u201cOur philosophy is that everyone wins when people are given an opportunity to show what they can do,\u201d said Ontiveros.\u00a0 \u201cThe next generation of Hispanic business leaders will need to be prepared to lead and compete on a global level \u2014 and we\u2019re excited to partner with USHCC to help make that happen.\u201d
As Group O celebrates its 40th anniversary, its CEO also looks forward to building on the company\u2019s success and helping pave the way for future growth.
\u201cWe\u2019re like any other 40-year-old,\u201d says Ontiveros. \u201cWe need to stay in shape, keep flexible and listen to others \u2013 namely, our clients. If we continue to build on our strengths, we\u2019ll be in great shape for the coming years.\u201d
About Group O
Group O is a diversified business process outsourcing provider specializing in marketing, supply chain, packaging and business analytics solutions. A Corporate Plus member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (nmsdc.org), Group O is an NMSDC National Minority Supplier of the Year honoree and is recognized as a Top 5 Latino-owned Business by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.\u00a0 Headquartered in Milan, IL, Group O is one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the United States and employs more than 1,500.\u00a0 To learn more, visit www.GroupO.com<\/a>.<\/p>
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