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The Marsman Drysdale Group

Started in 1920, the Marsman Drysdale Group is a Philippine-based conglomerate driven by a deep commitment to economic growth, social responsibility, and excellence. The Group operates in agribusiness, medical equipment, travel and tourism management, real estate, and mining under a unified management structure. Its headquarters in Makati’s Central Business District serve as the center of operations, supporting its presence in Metro Manila and across the country from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

What began as a gold mining enterprise has evolved into a multi-industry powerhouse, with agriculture and export at its core. The Medical Products division continues to grow, while its Travel and Tourism operations remain an industry leader. Yet beyond the family business’ success, the Group’s true strength lies in its people, valuing integrity, unity, and the dignity of every individual who contributes to its mission.

More than just a business entity, the Marsman Drysdale Group upholds a profound commitment to service through The Marsman-Drysdale Foundation. Dedicated to uplifting communities, supporting education, and fostering sustainable development, the foundation embodies the Group’s belief that progress is most meaningful when shared.

Guided by a legacy of excellence, ethics, and faith, the Marsman Drysdale Group continues to move forward, creating lasting value, strengthening communities, and honoring the principles that define its identity.

Founder
Jan Hendrik Marsman
Mary Blythe Petersen Marsman
THE DRYSDALES

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Jan Hendrik “Hank” Marsman
Mary Angus Blythe Petersen Marsman
George Williams Drysdale
Anne Petronella Marsman Drysdale
George Marsman Drysdale
Mary Blythe Drysdale
Dorothy Isabel Drysdale
HISTORY
Late 1880s

Jan Hendrik “Hank” Marsman, born in 1892 in the Netherlands, was trained as a civil engineer and later worked for Norit, specializing in activated carbon for industrial refining. He was assigned to Indonesia during WWI.


Mary Angus Blythe, born in 1888 in Scotland, migrated to the U.S. (at the age of 13), worked at Marshall Fields Retail Store in Chicago, Illinois. She married Nels Petersen, a Swedish-American engineer, and moved to the Philippines, where Petersen co-owned Benguet Gold Mines, with Metcalfe H. Clark and Henry Clay Clyde in 1915.

1918

Hank Marsman arrived in the Philippines to supervise a sugar refinery project in Malabon for Norit. He later managed the refinery.

1918

Nels Petersen died of influenza, leaving Mary a widow with Benguet gold claims. She met Jan Hendrik Marsman in Manila, and they married in 1920, moving to Baguio to pursue gold prospecting.

1924

After years of prospecting, the couple established Itogon Mining Company, turning it into a successful operation and expanding into lumber and construction.

1929

Marsman & Co., Inc. was formed to support their mining operations and others in Baguio. They later founded Suyoc Consolidated Mining and M.P. Tranco, Inc., the first transport system for mining communities.

1933

Expanding beyond Baguio, they developed large-scale mining operations in Bicol, reopening Spanish-era gold mines and establishing United Paracale Mining and Coco Grove Inc., the country’s largest placer mining operation.

1936

The growing business diversified into engineering, insurance, air transport, hardware, pharmaceuticals, and food. The headquarters moved to Manila, with the Marsman Building in Intramuros later repurposed by the Japanese Navy during WWII.

1939-1941

Marsman & Co. built the Nielsen Tower at Manila Airport, launching Philippine Air Taxi Company (PATCO). The Soriano family later took over the business, evolving it into Philippine Airlines.

1945

WWII devastated Marsman enterprises, losing over $50 million. They rebuilt by reactivating five gold mines and financing food shipments to aid post-war recovery. They contributed to major reconstruction projects, including the UP Engineering Building and Nichols Air Base.

1948-1954

The company expanded pharmaceuticals under Swiss national, Walter Dumermuth, who was hired by Marsman and Company in 1948 to develop its pharmaceutical distribution. In 1954, Palawan Quicksilver Mines became a key operation, shipping mercury to Japan until 1975.

1956-1963

After Hank Marsman’s death in 1956, Mary took over. Financial struggles forced the closure of some mines. She passed in 1963, leaving management to trusted caretakers.

1960-1968

The Retail Trade Nationalization law impacted their distribution businesses, leading them to focus on pharmaceuticals. In 1967, the Mary Blythe Petersen Marsman Foundation was established for education and community development. In 1968, management returned to family hands under George W. Drysdale, husband of Anne Marsman, the only child of Hank and Mary

1969-1976

Shifting from abaca to Cavendish bananas, Marsman Estate Plantation was founded in 1969, becoming a leader in Philippine agriculture. Nova Vista Agri-Ventures and Camarines Minerals Inc. were also established.

1979-1987

Marsman Tours & Travel was launched to support the tourism industry. The pharmaceutical success attracted Zuellig, which acquired Marsman & Co. in 1987.

1990-1999

The eldest child of George W. Drysdale and Anne M. Drysdale, George Marsman Drysdale, was appointed Chief Executive Officer. The group rebranded as Marsman Drysdale Group, refocusing and strengthening its hold on agribusiness, tourism, food processing, and healthcare. They expanded into telecommunications, office furniture and established an organic banana farm.

2000s

The early 2000s presented a series of trials for the company, particularly in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis. Yet, true to its legacy of perseverance, the Marsman Drysdale Group steadily found its footing once again, demonstrating the same fighting spirit that has long defined its journey.

2008 & 2014

The passing of Anne M. Drysdale in 2008 and George W. Drysdale in 2014 marked the end of an era for the Group. Their vision, values, and leadership continue to inspire the company’s direction and enduring commitment to its people and communities.

2020–2023

As with many businesses worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, particularly in workforce management and client service. The company responded swiftly and decisively, prioritizing employee safety through operational recalibration, remote work arrangements, and in-office social distancing protocols. Marsman Drysdale was also among the first to secure large quantities of vaccines for free employee inoculation, later extending access to family members, reinforcing its commitment to health and well-being.

PRESENT

Marsman Drysdale continues to thrive in agribusiness, tourism, and healthcare, employing over 3,500 Filipinos, and remains strongly committed to its social responsibility. Dedicated to growth and community welfare, the company remains a key player in the Philippine economy.