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Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Housing development ‘slowly’ lifts hardware sales
Sales in the construction and hardware supply sector may be “increasing in trickles” but the situation is starting to get better, an official of the 30-year-old Cebu Bionic Builder Supply Inc said.
Bernard Vonn Sia, general manager of Steel and Stone, a member of Cebu Bionic Builder Supply group, noted that there are several ongoing construction pro-jects for residential properties and offices, particularly for business process out-sourcing companies.
He said several new small-scale developers have also come up, particularly in the development of small subdivisions.
He said sales went down starting in 1999, when companies in the country began to feel the effects of the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
“The effect was not immediate in 1997, I think, because there were still some projects that have been approved and allotted budget,” he said. “But in 1999, daghan projects gitabunan na lang (many projects were abandoned).”
He said the construction industry has started to grow—although there is a lull in specific areas, such as commercial building construction—but the growth is “in trickles.”
Increments
“It’s (sales) slowly increasing but in small increments. We also have to consider that there are now more players providing competition,” he said in an interview last Friday at Steel and Stone.
To increase its advantage against competition, Cebu Bionic Builder stores have lined up several strategies.
One of these stategies, Sia said, is having unique products that can only be found in Cebu Bionic stores.
Steel and Stone, which aims to cater to the needs of mid- to high-end clients, houses several exclusive brands, including tiles and probably the most expensive (at P225,000 each) and high-tech toilet in Cebu.
Steel and Stone sells Neorest toilets that include a remote control system for flushing, seat heating, washing and drying.
Another strategy of the corporation is effective customer relations.
“There are no big or small clients. We will attend to anyone no matter how big or small their purchases are,” he said. “Our sales personnel can also advise customers which product best suits their needs, so the service is very personal.”
Delivery
He said a customer can also walk in to any Cebu Bionic Builder store and have items that may be available in another outlet delivered to where he or she is.
“Here at Steel and Stone, for example, we don’t display steel rods. But if somebody comes in and order them, we can have the items delivered here or to the location specified by the customer.”
He said customers need not worry about prices because all Cebu Bionic Builder outlets have uniform pricing system.
He said store outlets also offer a wide range of products—from pricey high-end items to basic ones.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Sia said Cebu Bionic Builder Supply launched several promotional programs: an anniversary sale that started last week and will end Sept. 30; anniversary raffle; and a rewards system, among others.
These programs are implemented at Cebu Bionic South in Mambaling, Cebu Bionic Hardware Mall on Magallanes St. and Steel and Stone, all in Cebu City; Build-It in Mandaue City; United Home Finishing Industries in Bogo; and E-Builders’ Atrium in Carcar. (LAP)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 20, 2006 issue)
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