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Holding firm for Islands brand set up
Cebu Daily News (October 1, 2008) — Cebu City, Philippines – Entrepreneur Jonathan Jay Aldeguer is setting up a holding company to strengthen the Islands brand, which started in 1992 with T-shirt maker Island Souvenirs.
“This is really for management purposes and branding so we are not hurrying up. We are consulting our lawyers here and abroad because at present, there are many investors who want to join the group” Aldeguer told Cebu Daily News.
Aldeguer said the holding company, which will be called The Islands Group, is expected to launch on the second or third quarter of 2009.
“We are also examining how are franchisees will be set up, whether it will be handled by the holding company or the specific subsidiaries,” he added.
“All subsidiaries will carry the Islands brand”, Aldeguer said.
Island Souvenirs, which starting out in selling souvenir T-shirts, will be the flagship subsidiary of The Islands Group.
Other companies under the group are Islands Pasalubong Center, Islands and More, Islands Design and the recently launched, Islands Banca Cruises Corp.
“When you’re traveling, there is a bit of uncertainty on where you want to go. We want to make it (Islands brand) a premium travel and tourism brand in Cebu (to give tourists) a sense of familiarity,” he said.
Islands Pasalubong Center, which has one outlet in Lapu-Lapu City, sells local products, while Islands and More sells beach and travel essentials such as shirts, bags and water bottles.
Aldeguer said they are looking at opening another pasalubong center in Cebu City.
Islands and More has three branches in Lapu-Lapu City. They hope to open two outlets in Boracay before the year ends and another branch inside Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3.
Aldeguer said Islands and More stores are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. but will eventually adapt to the market.
The branch inside newly established Microtel Mactan, for instance, will open until past midnight.
Islands Design develops and design uniforms for tourism-related establishments.
Aldeguer said they have developed several merchandise for companies such as Jollibee, Shangri-La and Microtel.
Islands Banca Cruises Corp. offers sightseeing tours to different islands in Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental.
