(Source: Business World, by Claire-Ann M. C. Feliciano | October 11, 2015)
Wilcon Builders Supply, Inc. is planning to open two new branches by the first quarter of 2016, as the demand for construction materials and hardware supplies continues to grow.
“We have to expand and put up more [branches]. Right now, there are two in the pipeline,” Ms. Ong said recently on the sidelines of the Philippine Shopping Festival 2015 in Pasay City.
Ms. Ong said the two new branches will be located in Molino in Bacoor, Cavite and Sta. Rosa in Laguna.
“Hopefully, we can open them by the first quarter of next year. Our plan is to put up four stores every year,” she said.
Wilcon’s expansion rides on the continuous growth in the property sector.
“We benefit from the growth in the property sector. Even the malls are growing and the trend now involves mixed-use developments,” Ms. Ong said.
“All of them buy from Wilcon. We cater to those builders and even those that are renovating and improving their homes,” she added.
The official claimed that Wilcon remains to be the market leader in the business and the company hopes to cement this position.
“We keep on introducing new products and new trends. Most of them, we source from abroad since we’re not a manufacturing country. But we also sell some local brands,” Ms. Ong said.
E-COMMERCE
She added the company is also interested in going into e-commerce in order to cater to the growing needs of consumers.
“We have to prepare for that though because that’s a lot of work. It should be able to cater to customers 24 hours a day,” Ms. Ong said.
Wilcon started as Wilcon Builder’s Supply in 1977 with its first branch near Muñoz in Quezon City, and has since added several retail outlets in strategic locations within Metro Manila and in the provinces.
In 2003, Wilcon Builder’s Depot — which has a bigger selling area and more product lines — was launched. Its first outlet was located in Las Piñas City.
Both brand names, Wilcon Builder’s Supply and Wilcon Builder’s Depot, have been simplified in recent years under the name Wilcon Depot.
Aside from hardware and construction materials, Wilcon outlets sell appliances, automotive accessories, door fixtures, electrical supplies, furniture, houseware, outdoor accessories, paints and sundries, plumbing supplies, sanitary wares, tiles, and other tools.
