Co Ban Kiat seals partnership with Lincoln Electric for welding expertise in the Philippines

Most industries which are continuously expanding such as construction, infrastructure and development mining find welding process as a vital part of their operation. Moreover, the welding process is also one of the widely used procedures in manufacturing with promising production demands from the automotive, shipbuilding, aerospace, furniture, and agriculture industries, to name a few.

Like all other countries, welding in the Philippines continuously serves as a critical enabling technology. Unfortunately, with the existing project of the current administration, the Build, Build, Build (BBB) program, it has been found out that the country is in need of experts among our skilled workers – and that includes reliable tools and the latest technology in the welding industry.  

Thus, the recent collaboration between Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. (CBK) and Lincoln Electric comes as an answered prayer for the Filipinos, at least in the welding department. Co Ban Kiat, known as "The Hardware Solutions Provider", and American company Lincoln Electric venture together to change the game in the welding industry in the Philippines.

For a hundred year now, CBK has established its name to be the largest distributor of trusted global hardware and home improvement brands in the Philippines. Lincoln Electric, on the other hand, is the world’s leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market for over 120 years.

Celebrating the partnership, from left: Victor Lim, Scot Strawn, Johnny Cobiankiat,
Carl Peters and Nahanni Nagle. 

CBK and Lincoln Electric show the certificate of partnership, from left: Gil Saulon, Scott Strawn, Anna Soriaga, Jan Wesley Cobankiat, Johnny Cobankiat, Nahanni Nagle, Victor Lim, Rod de Dios, Jackson Ong posed for the presentation of Lincoln certificate to CBK.

Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric has 47 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. Its proven expertise and worldwide domination make it ahead of the game.

The partnership will not end with just having CBK as the largest authorized distributor of Lincoln Electric in the country. Johnny Co Ban Kiat, CBK president, proudly announced that his company is coming up with its own foundation which main objective is to teach the younger generation to become the expert welders which the Philippines needed most. Lincoln, through its senior executive, Carl Peters, agreed to do so.

“I was so amazed that welding is such a lucrative job abroad and welders are highly regarded. We can also do that in the Philippines. We will train 5000 maybe 10000 welders who shall become experts in this field,” the president said.

Aside from its advanced equipment and technology, Lincoln Electric will continue to hasten its proven track record as the world’s leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and have a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. 

This author looks forward to the day when the training of young Filipino welders starts courtesy of Lincoln Electric. Welding is a lucrative profession in most progressive countries. It is time for Filipinos to look up welding -- a specialized skill and part of technical-vocational education -- as a dignified job.