Italian modular kitchen supplier hits RP market with local partner

Bullish about the growth of the residential market in the Philippines, Italy-based modular kitchen provider Copat Group International pursues market penetration in the country despite the current economic slowdown.

Copat Group International manager for Southeast Asia Carlo Zoccolari said that the Philippines is one of the countries in Asia that needs quality kitchen system.

In the Philippines, the company is adjusting its product rates and offers customized packages, depending on the requirements, in order to capture not only the high end clientele but also the middle to low end markets.

Through its new exclusive distributor for the Philippines, Paragon Immagine Inc., the company expects to post significant growth in its kitchen system offering, as accessibility of the product is one of the focuses of its Cebu-based distributor.

"We serve all market types, from low-end to high-end. For as low as P80,000, you can have a kitchen, complete with amenities such as built-in cabinets, refrigerator and thermo-ventilated oven that also includes a microwave oven, range hood and cook top," said Zoccolari in an interview recently.

He noted that Filipinos are now starting to embrace the western-style of kitchen setup, wherein the whole system is installed into one, including the refrigerator, cabinets, among others.

The Internet and Copat's robotic plant in Italy, he said makes it easy for the company to design and manufacture kitchen sets for clients all over the world.

Copat has been in the Philippines for three years now, he said the company together with Paragon Immagine would like to expand its reach to other regions in the country, especially those in major cities.

The other Copat products distributed by Paragon are vanity sets, bathroom fixtures, whirlpools and shower casing. Paragon also distributes products of Sawo Inc.

Paragon president Renato Dychangco Jr. said the company plans to open the company for franchising in Luzon and Mindanao. Paragon is now looking for franchisees in Manila, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

In Southeast Asia, the company posted an average growth of 20 percent or 30 percent a year for kitchen fixtures, he mentioned.

He expects to post encouraging sales growth in the Philippines starting this year, as the residential marketing is actively moving, coupled with the house renovations.