Thursday, September 04, 2008 US-based ice skating rink-maker relocates to Cebu, employs locals By Debra M. Estero Sun.Star Correspondent
WHO would ever think that some of the people behind Disney on Ice are Cebuanos?
The internationally-known travel show is one of the many customers of Ice Rink Supply Corp., a designer and manufacturer of ice rinks with clients from all over the world and which calls Cebu its home.
Michael Rzechula, the company’s chief technology officer, told Sun.Star Cebu that the competency of Cebuanos in English communication was one of the factors that the company considered when it decided to transfer its operations here from the United States.
“Ninety-nine percent of our operations are now in Cebu,” he said.
In the late 1990s, Rzechula said the company decided to transfer its operations due to stiff competition brought about by the North American Free Trade Act.
“We were looking at Mexico and Ecuador until we reached the Far East,” Rzechula recalled.
Rzechula said they saw the Philippines as the only English-speaking country in Asia and he wanted his workforce to be skilled in the language since his company deals with an international client-base.
Worldwide
Worldwide, there are only 15 similar companies supporting around 15,000 ice rinks based in different parts of the world, Rzechula said.
“Ice skating is one of the world’s oldest organized recreation,” he said.
The firm first set up office in Cebu in 2003 and employed Cebuano architects and engineers for its design services.
This year, the company started to rent out a space for its production plant, where various ice skating rink support products are being manufactured.
This includes rink refrigeration pipe grids, chillers, rink perimeter boards, hockey dasher boards, ice resurfacing machines, ice maintenance equipment and products, skates and other ice sporting accessories.
Patents
Ice Rink Supply also holds 11 US and Canadian patents for rink refrigeration pipe grids and ice products.
Rzechula said that although it was also a challenge to look for the right people, the work ethics of Cebuanos is one of the things that he values.
“I tell my clients that we get things done here and it’s done good,” he said.
Ice Rink Supply handles, on the average, two to three permanent ice rinks projects a year. Each project lasts for six months from the initial design stage to the installation.
Another benefit that the company got with its relocation to Cebu is the accessibility of the raw materials for most of their products.
Easier
He said it is now easier for them to import in Cebu some equipment from China and Malaysia.
Rzechula said the company also prioritizes Filipino suppliers to help the local economy.
“(It will) encourage a better and safer community since more jobs will be generated,” he said.
Rzechula is also optimistic that Cebu will finally have an ice skating rink for local residents as talks of a joint venture with local firms are underway.
“We are ready anytime the local partners are ready,” he said.
