Daily TribuneFrom its humble beginnings as a traditional hardware store in Cebu, OBC has evolved into a full-scale builder’s center, combining affordability, design sensibility, and customer service in one stop.
Cebu Overseas Hardware Company Inc. (COHCI), with a 70-year legacy in the building supplies industry and a recent showroom opening in Kawit, Cavite, believes that as more Filipino families join the middle class, the demand for home ownership will rise.
The evolving mindset is what Overseas Builders Center (OBC) seeks to capture through its newest “level up” builder’s showroom concept, which targets premium-quality home finishes and fixtures at prices within reach of the growing middle class.
Last 3 October, COHCI opened its newest flagship retail hub, OBC, in Kawit as part of its strategyto capture the rapidly expanding home improvement and construction market in Southern Luzon.
The company invested in a 5,847-square-meter facility, which includes 4,125 square meters for DIY and showroom spaces and 1,722 square meters dedicated to furniture.
From its humble beginnings as a traditional hardware store in Cebu, OBC has evolved into a full-scale builder’s center, combining affordability, design sensibility, and customer service in one stop.
Its latest store in Cavite represents this transformation, blending the efficiency of a hardware store with the style and experience of a lifestyle showroom.
“We want Filipinos to enjoy the lifestyle they aspire for: stylish, modern, but still affordable,” said COHCI Modern Trade-Manila chief operating officer Ferdinand Co. “We leveled up not just our products, but also the way we present and serve. Our goal is to make quality accessible without sacrificing service.”
Serving a growing sector
OBC’s expansion comes at a time when the middle class is fast becoming a driving force of consumer demand. In a study released by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) in 2023, around 39.8 percent of Filipinos were considered middle-income in 2021, defined as households earning roughly P25,000 to P145,000 per month for a family of five.
Many of these households are concentrated in rapidly urbanizing areas like Calabarzon, which include Cavite and Central Luzon, where new housing developments and subdivisions continue to expand.
These are the families OBC wants to serve: homeowners and builders who want to upgrade their spaces with better design and durable materials without paying luxury prices.
A report from Fitch Solutions’ BMI last year projected that consumer spending on household goods will grow to P270.4 billion in 2024, rising to P354 billion by 2028, underscoring how home improvement is becoming a lifestyle priority for middle-income Filipinos.
Affordable luxury
OBC’s “level up” concept seeks to bridge the gap between affordability and aspiration. Instead of warehouse-style aisles stacked with products, the store highlights curated spaces with complete bathroom setups, kitchen displays, and tile sections that allow homeowners to visualize how each piece could look in their homes. The products are either imported or locally sourced, all meeting Philippine Standard (PS) certification to guarantee quality.
“We’re after being competitive. We are offering products we personally choose, that meet international standards but are still within a reasonable price range. You can walk in here, feel like you’re in a high-end showroom, but go home with products priced for the middle class,” COHCI chief executive officer Michael Co said.
The decision to open in Kawit, Cavite was both strategic and symbolic. Cavite’s rapid urban growth, proximity to Metro Manila, and steady influx of new homeowners make it a prime area for a concept that celebrates Filipino ambition and practicality.
“We’re not after a swift expansion. We want to grow sustainably, area by area, adjusting to what each community needs. What matters is delivering the best experience at a fair price,” the CEO added.
