Family specializes on devices, equip’t to help put out fires

They say in business that one shouldn’t put out the burning flames to keep the fire of passion burning and make it grow more.
For Mark Gregory P. Garcia and his company, however, helping put out the fire, literally, is their core business.
Garcia is chief executive officer of RCP Manufacturing Co. Inc., a firm that manufactures and sells fire extinguishers under the Tropical brand and fire protection equipment under the Rescue brand.
Garcia said his grandfather, Rufo C. Pastrano, founded the company 38 years ago.
His grandfather started the firm in 1973 after the Pastrano family moved from Ozamiz City to Cebu.
“The office was then located in a small space along Salinas Drive in Lahug, Cebu City, while the production area used to occupy a parking lot-sized area along Rosal Street near Escario,” said Garcia.
Pastrano with his brother Rey Pastrano started with fire extinguisher products using recycled cannon cylinder shells as containers.
pioneer
Garcia said the firm would be considered a pioneer in manufacturing and selling fire extinguishers catering to companies and offices.
“We are the first fire extinguisher company in Cebu with a PS mark granted in 1974, only a year after it was opened. The PS mark signifies that we are the only company that’s classified as a manufacturer of these products that follows safety and product quality standards,” he said.
In 1979, RCP Manufacturing Co. Inc. was also asked by the Bureau of Product Standards to help them draft the manual for fire extinguisher manufacturing standards.
“It meant that we are recognized as a model for best practices,” said Garcia.
Having achieved success in their Tropical Fire Extiguisher brand, Garcia’s family then decided to launch another brand Rescue in 1989.
“Rescue was initially another brand of fire extinguishers but eventually it was shifted to become a brand for fire protection equipment because my father, who managed the company before we did, realized that we couldn’t make another brand that would compete with our existing brand,” said Garcia.
From only a handful of production and  sales people when his grandfather started the company, the company now has 37 employees.
They have also moved to a bigger place within the Pastrano Compound in San Miguel in Apas, Cebu City.
The 250 square meter area now houses the production, sales and administration offices.
products
“Our capacity is somewhere from 700 to 800 cylinders a month and that includes brand-new cylinders and those for refilling,” said Garcia.
Their products include fire extinguishers ranging in sizes from 1 kilo to 25 kilos. They also have smoke alarms, fire boots, fire helmets, fire axe, fire cabinet, firemen suit and trousers, fire hose, angle valve, fire safety signages, fire blanket, fire gloves and fire sprinklers.
Their clients in the last 38 years were major establishments like resorts, hotels, offices and malls.
They are now considering to pursue the homeowners’ market.
“We have seen an opportunity to tap the homeowners’ market, which currently are not so inclined to buy fire protection equipment and products simply because some are not aware that such products are available,” said Garcia.
The firm has partnered with retail shops and hardwares to have their products on consignment on these establishments.
Tropical and Rescue products are now available in Gaisano Metro Ayala, Colon and Super Metro Mandaue, Belmont Hardware in Legaspi, Industrial Tools and Depot in Mandaue City, and Savers Home Depot in Mactan and Mandaue City.
“We will soon be available in Yale Hardware and Gaisano Grand Mall,” said Garcia.
Garcia said they were also planning to intensify their information campaigns about their products.
“We plan to go to different subdivisions and just simply orient the homeowners on how they can help protect their homes and loved ones from fire and show them the products that we can offer them,” said Garcia.
support
Garcia said what set them apart from their competitors was their after sales support services.
“Our clients always enjoy the best support services because we always visit them and check their equipment, especially establishments like hotels. This is how we set ourselves apart from others,” said Garcia.