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THE JTKC
GROUP OF COMPANIES
The JTKC Group of Companies was forged with an attentive eye for
innovation and a driving passion for hard work. It began in 1947 when John
Tiu Ka Cho established Union Hardware in downtown Manila. Despite the challenges of a
post-war economy, the store made a name for itself by selling a variety of
lock sets and tools.
By the early 1950s, Union Hardware had quickly earned the success that
allowed Tiu Ka Cho to open one of the first nail factories in the Philippines,
the Manila Steel Manufacturing Company. Goodwill Steel and Wire Company and
Goodyear Steel Pipe Corporation then followed in the early 1960s with the
latter being the cornerstone of the JTKC Group of Companies' steel
manufacturing operations. Today, this business has expanded to include
Stronghold Corporation and listed company TKC Steel Corporation with
subsidiaries Treasure Steel Corporation in Iligan
City and Zhangzhou Stronghold in Xiamen, China.
To complement these companies is Kent Floors which has been at the
forefront of the vinyl tile industry since 1983. It has since expanded to
include products such as wood laminates (HDF), engineered wood and solid
wood.
After the establishment of Goodyear Steel Pipe Corporation, the
manufacturing business ventured into other industries. Among them chemicals
and plastic with the birth of Philippine Calcium Industries, Winston
Industrial Corporation, and Winsteel Industrial Corporation.
With his businesses flourishing, Tiu Ka Cho did not rest on his laurels
and endeavored to expand into real estate. In the mid-1970s, he opened his
first of serviced apartments called Dakota
Mansion which was soon followed by
Mabini Mansion
in Manila, Amorsolo
Mansion in Makati,
and Boulevard Mansion in Manila.
In 1990, the historic and famed Gilarmi Apartments along Ayala Avenue was added to the
fold.
The real estate arm of the JTKC Group of Companies further grew with the
birth of the Discovery brand which started with Discovery Suites in
Ortigas. This was then followed by Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay and
Discovery Shores in Boracay, both leaving a
lasting impression on its discriminating guests.
Today, the JTKC Group of Companies continues to diversify with the
establishment of Sterling Bank of Asia and Iremit Inc. Sterling Bank of Asia is a new savings bank that opened in February
2007 and aims to revolutionize the banking industry by offering world-class
and professional level of service by creating a strong sales culture and
customer orientation. On the other hand, Iremit Inc. is engaged in the
business of money remittance aiming to capture a significant market share
in the inward remittances by Overseas Filipino Workers around the globe.
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