The Untold Story of Panasonic System Solutions in the Philippines with Genaro Castro Jr.

About CBK
Hardware
For almost a hundred years, a
family’s surname has become
synonymous to the country’s
biggest hardware supply
company. Co Ban Kiat Hardware
Incorporated, of the Cobankiat
family has a regular client
network of more than 1,500
industrial organizations; 1,600
traditional community hardware
stores, and 584 home building
specialty chain of stores across
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
This ever-growing conglomerate
traces its humble roots to
Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer
enterprise started by family’s
patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in
1920. Despite the ruins of World
War II, the business goes back
to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a
storefront from the very same
spot where it was known for
three decades.
This ever-growing conglomerate
traces its humble roots to
Manila Chinatown, as a pioneer
enterprise started by family’s
patriarch, Mr. Cobankiat in
1920. Despite the ruins of World
War II, the business goes back
to its feet in 1948, rebuilding a
storefront from the very same
spot where it was known for
three decades.
While the Filipinos continue to rebuild their lives post war, CBK
Hardware sees the opportunity to introduce the retail concept once
unheard for in hardware industry. Cobankiat Hardware brought the
first DIY business in the Asia. A do it on yourself concept that created
Cobankiat hardware in the Philippines. The Hardware Workshop
Store is the fruit if this endeavor. CBK Hardware further cemented
its legendary distribution channel with the creation of Coby’ Design
Center in Edsa Shangi La in 1996, a specialty store that caters to
discriminating taste of modern Filipinos.
In 1997, Mr. Johnny Cobankiat, the 4th generation Cobankiat leader,
set another milestone for the company when he brings a franchise of
Ace Hardware USA to the Philippines, and signs up CBK Hardware
as one of its major suppliers. This further expanded into delivering
quality world class products nearer to families of Filipino overseas
workers in the countryside.
A century’s excellence can quickly pass, and guided by the vision to
be the largest network supplier of the biggest global brands in the
hardware industry, CBK Hardware resolve to source the best products
to supply its customers anytime and every time.
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