Rooted from its humble beginning that started in 1920, Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. was founded in the heart of Binondo, Manila’s own Chinatown, due to the business acquisition efforts of the Cobankiat family patriarch. The wholesale buy and sell hardware business was no exception and was highly devastated when World War II happened. Hanging by a thread after the war, Co Ban Kiat resumed business in the makeshift shanty and began helping people in rebuilding their homes and establishments by providing hardware materials.
In 1952, CBK Hardware was incorporated and an endless market expansion effort was made. Business flourished and prospered due to the fourth generation of the Cobankiat family under the leadership of Johnny Cobankiat, who introduced the retail concept for hardware products in the country. His accomplishments include the inauguration of Hardware Workshop as the first retail hardware chain of stores, Coby’s Design Center as a means to answer the increasing demand of high-end architectural hardware products, and the accreditation and introduction of Ace Hardware USA in the country with CBK Hardware Inc. as one of its suppliers. Today, CBK Hardware has gone nowhere else but up in its journey to supply the country with world-class, life-improving technological and hardware solutions.
Its promising milestone of achieving a century of excellence was made possible with a wide-ranging portfolio of products. Over the years, Co Ban Kiat Hardware consistently expanded its products with one common personality: the highest quality only to achieve its vision to be the largest supplier of the biggest hardware brands in the world.
This vision was made possible by partnering with 68 trusted global brands of building materials, electrical, houseware, power equipment, outdoor, plumbing, and hand and power tools. It supplies products from Stanley, Lincoln Electric, Baldwin, Chubbsafes, Dormakaba, Facom, Fairbanks Scales, Nilfisk Professional Cleaning Equipment, Westinghouse, Yale Locks, and more. These brands are all being smoothly distributed to customers who want to get more bang for their buck.
The founding belief of the company to provide the Filipino access to quality products was translated by the expansion of its geographic presence, supplying to over 2,000 partner wholesale and retail stores nationwide, which includes D.I.Y stores, traditional hardware stores, depots, and much more. CBK Hardware utilizes a wide array of its product portfolio to realize market leadership in every market segment.
Solidifying its distribution network is the integration of well-known business sectors, boasting an expansive list of automotive, hospitality, service, and other industry clientele as well as distinguished real estate developers and construction companies. Reaping the benefits of e-commerce, CBK Hardware prides itself to be the first hardware distributor to aggressively offer products online through several e-commerce platforms.
Business in the hardware industry is not the only way the brand is helping the world become a better place. CBK Hardware Inc. is also partaking in multiple advocacies because the company is committed to contributing to the growth of society and the environment.
Many have benefited from CBK Hardware Inc.’s initiatives, from the intensive CSR programs to the hardware donations for the improvement of living facilities. The goodwill of CBK Hardware Inc. has also benefited the neglected children and elders by teaming up with many GOs and NGOs. As part of its 100 years celebration, Co Ban Kiat Hardware will deepen its dedication to create valuable contributions to society and the environment by launching 100 Years Donation Drive, a 10-month long CSR project that aims to help 100 organizations.
As the company enters a new century, there will be even more local and global brands to acquire and form partnerships with, more ways to help out and give back to the community, more homes and buildings to improve, and more individuals to help.
Going forward, the Philippines will expect Co Ban Kiat Hardware to remain true to its heritage of providing more years of world-class hardware solutions.
To inquire online, visit https://www.cbkhardware.com/. Follow their social media account: www.facebook.com/CBKHardware and join the CBK Viber Community: https://bit.ly/2S4N8KB.
