BANKING on the continued growth of the residential and hospitality business in Cebu, Intranet Trade International Inc. has opened Architectural and Interior Source (AIS) in Axis Entertainment Ave., Vibo Place, the company’s designer’s go-to store in the country.
The 500-square-meter showroom features a variety of products such as tiles, sanitary wares, bathroom fittings, bathroom accessories and architectural finishes of high-end brands.
Architect Buck Sia, who is iTrade’s president, said they opened an AIS showroom in Cebu to cater to the rising demand of architectural designs. He said that with a vibrant real estate scene, designers are in competition to find the right products that will suit the preferences of their clients.
iTrade, the operating arm of AIS, is a subsidiary of Cebu Bionic Group of Companies, a construction supply distribution firm operating in Cebu for 40 years.
Sia said the opening of the AIS is to increase the choices for designers.
“A lot of frustrations of designers or homeowners is that they go to Pinterest and see all this stuff but they can’t find it (here). No one, except us, is really investing in new and more trendy stuff,” he said.
Social media platforms like Pinterest, Sia said, is helpful a tool for the market to check the latest designs available. He believes the current generation is becoming more aware of what is going on in the global market, as far as design is concerned.
He sees this phenomenon as evident in Cebu in terms of lifestyle and building industry. He said developers are putting a premium on design in their projects.” Design adds value to anything,” Sia said.
The AIS showroom carries premium global brands like Ape and Saloni from Spain for tile collections. It also carries Saniflo, a French brand offering macerator pump technology that can install toilets and other water discharging equipment anywhere without heavy works; Cristina, an Italian brand that offers sanitary fittings; and Genesis, a UK brand offering the full range of floor and wall edge protection, transitions, and tool systems for a perfect finish.
Sia said that unlike other suppliers, AIS has an ample supply of stocks available that can quickly be delivered to clients.
AIS also has a showroom in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Other affiliates of Cebu Bionic are Build It! Building Material Sales Inc., in Mandaue and Danao cities, Cebu Bionic Hardware Mall, Cebu Bionic South and ZSCAPE Development Corp.