Up Close And Personal with a Company That’s Been Part of Our Lives for Generations

Here’s a closer look at a company close to my heart—and maybe yours, too.

I recently had the opportunity to visit and take a closer look at a company that has been a part of our family’s life for decades. I’m pretty sure, they’ve been a big part of the lives of many Filipino families and businesses too.

Concepcion Industrial Corporation (CIC) invited me to a factory tour, and a roundtable conversation with its current leaders. This company is behind some of the brands of appliances I grew up with and still depend on today—like Carrier, Condura, and Kelvinator. There’s a big chance you’ve grown up with them, too. My family has trusted these brands for many years. They’re so practical and dependable, we barely give them a second thought. Whenever we need an air conditioner, we automatically buy a Carrier. Or when it’s time to upgrade our fridge, Kelvinator is number one on our list. It’s a no-brainer. They work, they last, and they never let us down.

Honestly, I’d never really given much thought to how these products are made or what goes on behind the scenes. But my curiosity was piqued, so I said yes—because why not?

First Impressions

Our day started in Makati, where CIC representatives picked up our group. From there, we enjoyed a fast and smooth ride to the CIC Manufacturing Plant and R & D Center located at the Light Industry & Science Park I (LISP I) in Cabuyao, Laguna.

I was instantly impressed the moment we arrived at our destination. This is where Carrier products are made, and the facility spans almost two hectares. Everything’s bright, super clean and organized—just what you’d expect from a company known for making practical, globally-competitive products that make modern living more comfortable.

Before the guided tour began, company representatives led a brief orientation to share an overview of our itinerary for the day and to cover important safety guidelines. Once that was done, we were given our tour badges and set off to explore the CIC manufacturing facility.

Made to Chill: A Peek at the Process Behind the Product

General Manager Mr. Val Valero, gave us a snapshot of the manufacturing process involved in the production of Carrier products before he led us through the various sections and assembly lines.

What stayed with me was CIC’s unwavering commitment to innovation, quality and efficiency, as can be seen in its state-of-the-art technology and meticulous production process. From the metal press to the final assembly line, to the performance tests in their specialized laboratories, everything is well-systematized and standardized to make sure of fast production and consistently high-quality output.

Mr. Valero explained that CIC is ISO Certified. Basically, that means the company follows international standards to make sure its products are safe, high-quality, and made with care. This certification also allowed CIC to develop its own local operating system to better protect its customers, products and bottom line.

ISO 9000, which is, in simple terms, a certification for quality. It ensures whatever CIC produces or offers to customers meets global standards, and that the manufacturing process is consistent and standardized.

ISO 14000 certifies that CIC implements environmentally-friendly products, parts, and manufacturing processes.

ISO 45000 certifies the overall health and safety of the factory workers, ensuring a safe working environment.

Mr. Valero also shared an interesting stat: during the summer season in the Philippines, when demand for air conditioning spikes, the factory produces 120 window-type units per hour—that’s roughly one unit every 28 seconds! These units roll off the final assembly line, where all sub-assembled and critical parts are put together, to the warehouse, ready for distribution to dealers nationwide. Now that’s efficiency.

During the tour, I also learned that making a product is basically about putting parts together. Sounds easy, right? But nope, it’s not that simple. There’s actually a detailed and layered process involved before all the main parts come together on the final assembly line, such as the production and assembly of critical parts and key components.

It’s interesting to note that locally made Carrier products—from the smallest 0.5 horsepower window types to the large ones used for commercial spaces—are almost entirely built from scratch. Mr. Valero said that “CIC manufactures the main components using raw materials like raw aluminum, copper, and steel sheets.” Imagine that! Pretty cool, right? That alone is a true testament to Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity, and the company’s commitment to nurturing and elevating it.

There are also some parts sourced from other countries, but every single one undergoes rigid quality inspection. Everything goes through test procedures done by local engineers before it becomes part of the finished product.

Behind The Cool: A Look Inside The House of Greatness

After the factory tour, we headed out to Sta. Elena Golf & Country Club for a sumptuous lunch and conversations with CIC’s current leaders, Mr. Raul Joseph Concepcion, Chairman and President, Mr. Ariel P. Fermin, Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Rafael C. Hechanova Jr., Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.

I got to learn about the CIC’s long and rich history—from the launch of its very first brand, Carrier, in the 1960s to the introduction of new brands today like Stark and Shark Ninja—and how far the company has come with the support of a strong team and valued business partners, all while staying true to its roots.

RJC shared, “We were founded 63 years ago by my grandfather. I won’t explain how we started, but his vision was really to create a lasting impression on the lives of the Filipinos. Very deep-rooted family values, a strong belief in the Filipino community, and an unwavering commitment to the nation.”

For more than six decades, CIC has played an integral role in improving the quality of everyday life for Filipinos by delivering reliable, energy-efficient appliances, as well as innovative systems and smart solutions that meet the real and ever-changing needs of Filipino households and businesses. The company has brought in global brands, built cutting-edge factories, and championed Filipino craftsmanship and workmanship.

“From being a cooling solutions provider, we have expanded our portfolio of products and services to meet the needs of every Filipino in the business. Today, we are the leading home and enterprise solutions provider in the Philippines. We are the leader in the air-conditioning world, in refrigerators, and some other appliances. But more than that, we are the leader in providing solutions to customers,” said RJC.

Needless to say, CIC has come a long way, and it continues to grow and evolve, showing no signs of slowing down.

“We have expanded our offerings. Our products and solutions cover both consumer and commercial needs. As you can see, with home solutions, we’ve expanded to almost every appliance. On the enterprise side, we’re very strong in commercial, elevators and escalators, building management systems, and then eventually we’re moving into other things as fire security, lighting, and then smart security systems. It’s important for us to build an infrastructure of basic solutions for our commercial customers. This will also expand our capabilities…Today, we have end-to-end capabilities that allows us to focus on providing a one-stop solution. So not only can we go in, we can install, we can service, we can replace, and then we will do the whole thing with generating designs and everything, ” RJC elaborated.

CIC has also put a strong focus on sustainability. It’s truly at the heart of everything the company does. In 2025, the company transitioned to powering 80% of their Alabang offices with renewable energy, in partnership with ACEN RES (Renewable Energy Solutions). It’s a great step toward a greener future—proof that the company isn’t just thinking about today, but also about future generations.

Wrapping Up: A Legacy That Lasts

CIC has built a meaningful and lasting legacy rooted in genuine care, family values, and a strong belief in what Filipinos can achieve. As stated in the company, “Concepcion” is a trusted name with a reputation built on deep-rooted family values, Filipino ingenuity, and an unwavering commitment to nation building.

Even as CIC continues to expand and innovate, it stays grounded in its purpose to build better lives for the Filipinos. It doesn’t just offer products and solutions, it shapes lives, supports communities, and helps raise the standard of modern living in our country.

This was truly a day well-spent. It opened my eyes and made me more aware and appreciative of how this company, its people, its products, and its brands, enhance our lives. It’s inspiring to see a company that has been part of many Filipino homes and businesses for generations continue to grow. I went home feeling excited to see what CIC will come up with next!