CEBU, Philippines - Encouraged by the upbeat growth of private vehicle ownership, tire and auto service one-stop-shop chain Tri-J Marketing Inc. plans to expand its reach in the Visayas market, emphasizing its strong penetration in the countryside areas in Cebu.
“The market for car needs and services is promising. We believe we have an edge over the growing competition in this industry,” said Tri-J strategic manager John Rey Guadalquiver.
He said Tri-J has managed to carve its name in the market, because of its renowned service and affordable wide array of products, specifically tires.
The company, which started as a small vulcanizing shop in 1990, now has grown into a seven network chain, of which locations are spread in Metro Cebu to as far as Toledo City in the western tip of Cebu.
Now, in its 20 years in the business, Tri-J is looking at opening more branches in the huge community-based areas, such as Guadalupe, CarCar, and in other countryside locations in the southern and northern parts of Cebu.
Tri-J plans to add at least three more shops within Cebu area, while expanding into other provinces in the Visayas.
Today, Tri-J is celebrating its 20th year anniversary, upholding its theme, a company “With a Heart,” of which the word HEART, stands for Honesty, Excellence, Appreciation, Respect and Teamwork.
According to Guadalquiver despite the competition in the car needs and services business, Tri-J is able to get ahead, while the company is putting emphasis on service, and taking care of its close to 200 employees.
Aside from establishing its name in the Cebu market in this particular industry, Tri-J has also made its name to the out-of-town customers, as it also supplies car accessories, tires and machineries for re-alignment, and vulcanizing to clients outside of Cebu.
Although, franchising is also one of the options being considered by the company, in order to expand its business. However, Guadalquiver said Tri-J is extra careful in giving in on the franchise concept in order to uphold the quality of its brand. If ever, there is a strong demand for franchising, the company might opt to give in to a strategic partnership, especially in its out-of-Cebu future outlets.
In 1994, Tri–J opened its second branch in M.J. Cuenco in Cebu City and two years after, a branch in Mandaue City opened to the public.
By 1999, the Tri–J family grew bigger with the expansion in Lapu – Lapu City. The growing number of branches signifies and elaborately illustrates Tri – J’s great service and excellent quality products that made Tri – J the most trusted ally when it comes to vehicle needs.
Years later in 2006, a branch in Banilad, Cebu City was opened to reach more customers in the northern part of Cebu. In the same year, Tri–J was awarded with the National Product Quality Excellence Award as the “Best Tire Supply in Metro Cebu”. This recognition had inspired the company to further improve its services rendered to the people and to assure the quality of every product there is for the public, he said.
Tri–J started its journey back in 1990. The family business was headed and founded by passionate and vibrant couple, Mr. & Mrs. Angel Guadalquiver, who invested to start off a small and ordinary vulcanizing shop with only two employees that supplies second – hand and recapped tires in Basak Mambaling, Cebu City. (FREEMAN)