American manufacturing firm opens Cebu showroom

CEBU, Philippines — The promising construction and real estate sectors in Cebu have prompted American bathroom and kitchen fixture maker Kohler to open its largest showroom facility in Cebu.

“We see more opportunities here in Cebu being an urban capital where hotels, resorts, condos and commercial developments are on the rise,” said Angel Yang, president of Kohler Asia Pacific. 

 Kohler is working in partnership with Cebuano construction and finishing retailer and distributor Filmon Hardware Inc.

The showroom is located on a 600 square meter property at the Filmon Finishing Studio along Molave street, Lahug.

 Kohler has already established 51 showrooms in the Philippines, but these are more concentrated in Luzon.

This time, Yang said the growth of Cebu and its nearby regions cannot be ignored. She even hinted of a possibility to open a manufacturing plant in the Philippines.

 The new showroom, first in Southern Philippines, showcases Kohler’s extensive range of kitchen and bath products including its latest innovative products in intelligent toilets, bidet seats, whirlpools, showering and PVD vibrant finishing faucets.

According to Yang, the strong appetite of investors especially five-star, luxury hotels, condominiums, as well as growing number of affluent families, make the Philippines, and particularly Cebu one of the promising countries for Kohler, in terms of growth.

“Philippine customers are captivated by design and always pursue the latest trends in technology,” added Adam Quek, general manager and commercial director of Kohler Southeast Asia.

Clement Go, president of Filmon Hardware Inc., said that the company is open for more collaboration with Kohler, as Kohler is looking at other locations in Southern Philippines.

 Established in 1873, Kohler is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. Its Kitchen and Bath Group has more than 42 manufacturing locations worldwide.