Co Ban Kiat Hardware: 100 Years of Providing World-Class Hardware Solutions

From introducing a do-it-yourself concept that birth to the retail concept in the hardware market in the Philippines, Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. kicks off a year of celebration for its 100th founding anniversary. The trusted distributor of global hardware and home improvement brands continues providing more years of world-class hardware solutions.

The humble beginning

Rooted from its humble beginning in 1920, Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. (CBK Hardware) started in the heart of Binondo, Manila’s own Chinatown. The wholesale buy and sell hardware business was no exception in the devastation brought by World War II. It, however, resumed business in the makeshift shanty and begun helping people in rebuilding their homes and establishments by providing hardware materials. 

The incorporation

In 1952, CBK Hardware was officially brought into existence following the many market expansion. The business continues to flourish especially under the care of Cobankiat fourth-generation Johnny Cobankiat. He introduced the retail concept for hardware products in the country. His accomplishments include the inauguration of Hardware Workshop as the first retail hardware chain of stores, Coby’s Design Center as a means to answer the increasing demand for high-end architectural hardware products, and the accreditation and introduction of Ace Hardware USA in the country, with CBK Hardware Inc. as one of its suppliers. Today, CBK Hardware has gone nowhere else but up in its journey to supply the country with world-class, life-improving technological and hardware solutions.

The trusted global brand partner

Its milestone in achieving a century of excellence was made possible because of its openness to expand its products. The company, though, focuses on the highest quality products only, with the vision to be the largest supplier of the world’s biggest brands for the hardware industry. To date, it has partnered with 68 trusted global brands from building materials, electrical, houseware, power equipment, outdoor, plumbing, hand, and power tools. A few of its global hardware champion products are Stanley, Lincoln Electric, Baldwin, Chubbsafes, Dormakaba, Facom, Fairbanks Scales, Nilfisk Professional Cleaning Equipment, Westinghouse, and Yale Locks among others.

It helped as well that the company expanded its geographic presence, supplying to over 2000 partner wholesale and retail stores nationwide. A few of its partners are DIY stores, traditional hardware stores, depots, and more than 68 brands and over 6,000 SKUs. The company also solidified its distribution network to well-known business sectors from automotive, hospitality to real estate developers, and construction companies nationwide. CBK Hardware prides itself as well on being the first hardware distributor to aggressively offer products online through several ecommerce platforms and its social media accounts.

The 100 Years Donation Drive

Business in the hardware industry is not the only way the brand helps the world become a better place. CBK Hardware Inc. is also partaking in multiple advocacies, philanthropic endeavors, humanitarianism, and charity work. Hundreds, if not thousands of people from different walks of life, have benefited from CBK Hardware Inc.’s initiatives, from the intensive CSR programs to the hardware donations for the improvement of living facilities. The goodwill of CBK Hardware Inc. was also gifted to the neglected children and elders by teaming up with many GOs and NGOs. And as part of 100 years celebration, CBK will launch 100 Years Donation Drive, a 10-month long CSR project that aims to help 100 organizations.

The new century

As the company enters a new century, there will be even more local and global brands to acquire and form partnerships with. The new century also signifies more ways to help out and give back to the community and more homes and buildings to improve using many tools and appliances the brand has at its disposal. And as CBK Hardware advances, the country can expect it to remain true to its heritage of providing more years of world-class hardware solutions.

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