Pinoys make jewelry firm shine

Its name originated from its founding owners, who include a group of Filipinos and five Italians in 1989.

Italkarat18 was set up and located at Mactan’s Economic Zone and produced top of the line fine jewelry pieces made of Italian 18 karat gold for international markets.

However, at present, Italkarat18 is known for their novelty and gift items made of ordinary and semi-precious metals such as brass and silver.

Back in 1989, Italkarat18 only had 30 people on board working on fine jewelry pieces made of gold, said Noel T. San Pedro, head of the research and development department of the company.

diversify

San Pedro joined the firm in 1991 when they started diversifying their products from fine jewelry lines to novelty items, home accessories, plaques or corporate awards, gift items and other personalized products for corporate and individual clients.

“The owners then decided to diversify because they want to tap a bigger market other than just those who want fine jewelry pieces,” San Pedro said.

100% PINOY

In 1993, the company became 100 percent Filipino owned.

It was the beginning of a more cultural-based direction of its product developments and designs.

“There was a big market for our products especially before the 9/11 crisis in the United States, which hit not only us but other companies that have a market in the United States,” he said.

The 9/11 crisis showed the resiliency of the company and its management.

The company however had to cut some workers from 100 people on board at the time before the crisis when orders were high to the 70 people left today.

“We sometimes get people on call if there are huge orders but it’s not as high as before,” he said.

optimistic

San Pedro, however, is optimistic of the market starting 2009 as orders have started to come in again.

“We also cater to companies here that manufacture furniture and we produce some components for them. We think it is getting better each year now and we are optimistic about the prospects in the future,” said San Pedro.

Being a company that has committed to continue to delight their customers with timeless and quality product lines, which are excellent work of art, San Pedro said they would continue to bring in new ideas and designs in their collections.

“Now we are into Filipino-themed novelty items like this piece which depicts the Filipino culture of the bayanihan spirit,” said San Pedro.

STO. NIÑO ITEMS

Another product line that San Pedro is very proud of is their Sto. Niño collections which is a hit not only among locals but foreign nationals as well.

“We have many walk-in buyers who come to our showroom here and they really like these new novelty lines that we have especially the Sto. Nino which is made of brass, silver or other metals,” said San Pedro.

Even local politicians like Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia orders gift items she brings and gives during her visits to other countries.

“We also have corporate awards products like the plaques which most companies here order from us so basically anything that have to do with metals, we try to do them here,” he said.

REINTRODUCED

Two years ago, San Pedro said the company slowly reintroduced their jewelry line, but this time the line was more into designer-fashion jewelry pieces made of brass, silver or other metals.

“We have inhouse designers like my son Neil Felipp who helps us come up with innovative, classy and timeless pieces that are wearable and people will be willing to buy,” he said.

Neil Felipp is known for his pieces which are worn by beauty queens in Cebu. The most recent of his collection was worn by Miss Cebu 2012 First Runner-up Rachel Chloe Palang.

DESIGNERS’ VENUE

With more and more young aspiring designers like Neil Felipp, San Pedro said they also hoped to provide a venue for them to practice their art.

“We now carry a whole line of designer jewelry pieces by Neil Felipp which we display in our showroom,” he said.

THRUST

San Pedro said the firm’s thrust this year would be to strengthen its jewelry line and promote it to clients abroad.

“At present our main market is still the United States. We are also slowly entering Australlia and other Asian countries,” he said.

He is also optimistic on the growing local market with more local clients appreciating their products and buying directly from them by visiting their showrooms.

“We also accept orders for specific designs here for those who wants to personalize them for giveaways,” said San Pedro.

FACILITY

Their facility is located in a 2,000 square meter lot within the Mactan Economic Processing Zone.

San Pedro said it is a strategic location for them as they can also cater to other companies holding offices in the area.

Another thrust of the company is to get patents for the firm’s designs to protect them from counterfeiters and to maintain their values.

“I wish, however, that the process could be less tedious and less complicated for companies like us that produces highly artistic pieces,” said San Pedro.