40 April 2016 - Business View Caribbean
on the same level as the national chains. In addition,
as a Supply Force Owner member, CIB is able to par-
ticipate in integrated supply contracts on a national
level, as well.
While CIB does have competitors, Quijano believes
that what sets his company apart is its devotion to
good service for its customers. “Service means try-
ing to keep the best inventory and to deliver what they
need,” he says. “We also try to deliver on time so that
our customers can go on with their business as they
need to.”
The Great Recession was “a very difficult time for us,”
Quijano remarks, “and it’s not yet over in Puerto Rico.
We still haven’t seen the bottom, yet. At the moment,
we are trying to cut costs and increase our sales.”
While times are still tough for the sector, as a whole,
Quijano remains confident that a better economic cli-
mate is imminent and that business will improve over
the next several years. “I would like to see that we are
able to survive this depression, as I call it, because it’s
been more than eight years we’ve been in recession.
So, I would like to know that we were able to make the
right adjustments so that we can survive,” he states.
“And I believe – I’m always hopeful – that by that time,
the economy would have recovered and we are gaining
the fruits of those efforts.”
For over 55 years, CIB has contributed to the economic
development of Puerto Rico, having been selected to
supply the projects of many of the island’s major com-
panies. Quijano and his employees intend to continue
the company’s tradition of excellent service through
technological innovation, hard work, and commitment
– “Doing Business Our Customer’s Way.”
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