(Source: Sunstar.com | July 1, 2017)
Home improvement and construction supply retail giant Wilcon Depot opened its newest branch in this northern Negros Occidental city, the firm’s biggest store in the Visayas.
Wilcon founder and chairman Emeritus William Belo, who led the grand opening rites on Friday, June 30, said the company has poured in about P180 million worth of investment for the development of Wilcon Depot Bacolod-Talisay situated at Barangay Zone 5. It forms part of the eight branches to be opened in the country this year accounting to a total expansion budget of about P1.5 billion, he said.
“We aim to bring here our 40 years of experience in the industry mainly the brand of excellence in customer service,” Belo said, adding that it is also the company’s way of helping boost the economy of the province, especially Talisay City.
Currently, there are 38 Wilcon Depot branches nationwide. Of which, three are in the Visayas including those in cities of Mandaue and Talisay in Cebu. Last January, it opened a branch in Butuan City while those in cities of Cagayan de Oro, Cavite, Cabanatuan, Tacloban, Zamboanga, and Iloilo are also up for opening this year.
These stores are covered by the company’s expansion allocation of about P6 billion in the next five years. Belo said the company has acquired the property in Talisay City seven years ago, but “it is now the best time to open the store.”
“We see the positive development in Negros Occidental, especially in Metro Bacolod which covers Talisay City,” Belo said, adding that they decided to invest in the province also because of the “spending capacity” of the Negrenses.
In the next two years, the firm eyes to open another branch in the southern portion of Negros Occidental, most probably in Bago City.
Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, senior executive vice president-chief operating officer of Wilcon Depot, said it is their company’s vision to create market and spread development. Talisay is an emerging city thus, it is strategic for the retail business, Bosh-Ong said.
“Wilcon is committed to actively promote its advocacy of sustainability. We are bringing closer to Negros products and solutions of superior quality,” she added.
For his part, Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Lizares III said the investment could really help the local economy especially in terms of generating more employment in the city. The firm reported that its venture has provided jobs to at least 350 people, mostly from the host city, since the construction period towards the current operation.
“By having Wilcon, we will have a new landmark not only in Talisay but also for the whole of Negros Occidental,” Lizares said.
Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who was also present at the store’s opening, expressed gratitude to the company for investing trust on the province. The development will help improve the middle class sector, he added.
Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/business/2017/07/01/home-improvement-retail-firm-opens-branch-negros-occidental-550520
