R. Budi Hartono

Early Life

Robert Budi Hartono, also known as Oei Hwie Tjhong, was born on April 28, 1941, in Semarang, Central Java, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). He is the second child of Oei Wie Gwan, the founder of the Djarum cigarette company.

Rise to Success

Hartono inherited the family business, Djarum, a small clove cigarette company, at the age of 22. Following a fire in 1963, he and his brother, Michael, rebuilt and modernized the company, expanding its product line and market reach. By the 1970s, Djarum began exporting internationally, introducing machine-produced brands like Djarum Filter and Djarum Super, which propelled the company to become the world's third-largest clove cigarette manufacturer. In the late 1990s, the Hartono brothers acquired a significant stake in Bank Central Asia (BCA), further solidifying their financial standing.

Key Business Strategies

Key strategies included modernizing the manufacturing processes and expanding the market reach of Djarum. They also diversified the family's business interests into banking through Bank Central Asia (BCA) and electronics with Polytron. Furthermore, they invested in real estate.

Philanthropy

Robert Budi Hartono is known for his philanthropic activities and support for education and healthcare initiatives in Indonesia. He has established several foundations and donated significant funds to various charitable causes. Hartono founded the PB Djarum Foundation in 1969, which supports sports and has produced many badminton athletes.