Innovative Roof Manufacturing Business Created by Engineers
A team of dedicated civil engineers came together to form a homegrown company that is now a major player and innovator in the local roofing industry. Rey Batomalaque, Noel Pablito Gregore, Ariel Chavez, Wilson Guado, and Mario Dennis Lumpay, all from working-class backgrounds, started their journey at Jacinto Iron and Steel Sheets Corp—Batomalaque in research and development and the others in sales and engineering.
When Jacinto Steel reorganized, this group of engineers took a leap of faith and launched their own roofing supply business. It wasn’t easy—they had to raise funds by making cash advances from their credit cards to meet the required paid-up capital. Originally seven founders, two later left the company.
Founded on December 16, 1994, Colorsteel Systems Corp. started in a small 24-square-meter office in Makati with just a secretary as their first employee. Beginning as a trading firm specializing in prepainted steel roofing, their first customers were in Cebu. As they expanded to offer colored roofing with free installation services, Colorsteel established itself as a major player in trading prepainted long-span steel roofing.
To stay afloat, they catered to all kinds of customers, from residential to commercial and industrial markets. Their President, Fidel Ramos, also a civil engineer, helped drive their growth during a construction boom, attracting the interest of Chinese investors. A joint venture allowed Colorsteel to set up its own rollforming plant, but the 1997 Asian financial crisis posed challenges, leading to a parting of ways with the investors.
Juliet Castro-Cabatingan, now the President of Colorsteel, rose from within the company and played a vital role in securing a loan from Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. to build a new production facility. With this funding, they acquired their first rollforming machine and warehouse in San Fernando, Pampanga. By designing their own coils and offering personalized after-sales services, Colorsteel made a mark in the market.
A significant milestone for Colorsteel was securing a contract to install the steel deck for the construction of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Their technical expertise set them apart from other bidders, leading to their selection as the subcontractor for the project. By investing in product design and purchasing advanced equipment, Colorsteel continues to innovate and lead the way in the local roofing industry.
