Finnish sauna heater manufacturer enters RP market via local partner

The fast growing wellness industry in the Philippines has encouraged one of the world's leading manufacturers of sauna heaters, Sawo Incorporated to penetrate the Philippine market, through a partnership with Paragon Immagine Inc., to distribute its products in the country.

Sawo Inc., a Finnish company, with a production capacity of 150,000 units of sauna heaters a year at its factory inside the Mactan Export Zone (MEZ-2) is currently serving 60 countries around the world including the Philippines.

Traditional sauna bathing has become a part of modern day living not only to help rejuvenate and relax, but more importantly to help maintain good health, said Sawo Inc. managing director Teijo Kuiri.

He said to partner with a local distributor in the Philippines, is a good indication that Sawo products could penetrate further in the country.

Paragon Immagine, which just opened its showroom recently in Cebu is also the distributor of Copat Kitchen Systems from Italy. The showroom is located along M.J. Cuenco Ave., Barangay Carreta, in this city.

Sawo Inc. general manager Uwe Roessiger stressed that contrary to the belief of many, the electric consumption of saunas is very minimal that could only run up to about 15 to 20 pesos per hour.

For his part, Kuiri, said that the company has also incorporated modern technology into the installation of the saunas that would make them work at their optimum level.

He added that what is the most important thing about having a sauna is maintaining good health and keeping young and fresh-looking skin.

Sawo Inc., sauna rooms sell from as low as a little over P100 thousand, which already includes heater and installation.

Cebu is lucky to host the Sawo manufacturing plant here, as the province is positioning at the wellness or Spa center in Southern Philippines.

Paragon Immagine, Inc. is a very young company owned by a group of Cebuano businessmen, who want to offer products to the discerning market in Cebu and the rest of the Philippines.

Renato "Oly" S. Dychangco, Jr., president of Paragon Immagine, Inc. said that the venture started when he bought a kitchen system from Copat of Italy. He never realized that it would be the start of a new venture.

Paragon Immagine showroom was formally opened last week, giving Cebuanos a one-stop shop for kitchen systems, saunas, and other home furnishings.

Dychangco said that his company's partnership with the top providers of kitchen systems and sauna heaters and accessories will give the Cebuanos and the customers from other parts of the Philippines an opportunity to have world-class amenities in their homes.