Rodzon, CocoArk tie up to launch new brand of virgin coconut oil

Consumer distribution firm Rodzon Marketing Corp. (RMC) formally entered yesterday into a partnership agreement with CocoArk Inc. to launch a new brand of virgin coconut oil in the market.

RMC, a subsidiary of Samuya Corp. which is the sole distributor of Ludy’s Peanut butter and Coco Jam, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with CocoArk Inc. to distribute Don Pedro Virgin Coconut Oil to leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide.

The partnerhip aims to bring to the market a new brand name that is as well known and as affordable as Ludy’s.

CocoArk vice president Bobby Habaluyas said the company invested P10 million to manufacture its new line of VCO and that it is now aiming to make the Don Pedro brand a household name for VCO.

"When you ask a consumer what brand of VCO they take, they will immediately mention the Don Pedro brand," Habaluyas said.

Current domestic sales of VCO is around 150,000 a month.

CocoArk is hoping to capture at least 10 percent of the domestic market with sales of 18,000 bottles a month.

CocoArk is hoping to eventually export its VCO to the United States and Australia by April this year.

CocoArk Inc., makers of the Wild Country brand, projects that their partnership with RMC will enable them to reach out to more Filipino consumers.

"With their 29 years experience in the distribution of fast moving consumer goods, we know that Don Pedro is in good hands and is on its way to becoming a well-known VCO brand," Joey Villa, president of CocoArk added.

RMC was organized in 1977. It is the sole distributor of Ludy’s Peanut Butter and is now considered as one of the largest consumer distribution firms in the Philippines.

RMC now has 16 warehouses in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and has a network of 30,000 retailers of all types.

Aside from Ludy’s Peanut Butter and Coco Jam and Don Pedro, RMC also distributes Twin Oaks, Chowking Noodles, Oishi Snacks, and Snowtime Ice Pops.