The CWC Interiors president and COO also talks about their new Eames-inspired building, which he says is part of their commitment to their industry.
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The pandemic has brought about a shift in how people work. What was used to be confined to an office space has now been brought home, and this way of working is expected to continue well into what is called the “next normal.”
Fred H. Yuson, the president and COO of CWC Interiors, is known in industry circles as a trailblazer, and as such, already has a vision toward the future direction of the company.
The company supplies office modular systems and interior finishing for both commercial and residential use.
“CWC is synonymous to working spaces even before the pandemic. We have built a reputation of having fulfilled clients’ needs in this aspect and will continue to do so in the years to come,” Yuson says, adding that CWC certainly evolves and adapts to changing needs.
“Productivity is now not defined just by being or going to your old office space,” he shares. There has been significant change in the workspace environment in the past two years, and Yuson believes that it will continue to evolve even as the world starts to open up.
At work anywhere
What is important to Yuson and his team is remaining in tune to these needs, and making sure to always add value and options.
“As an example, Work From Home is a concept that will continue on post pandemic,” he explains. “Any area in your home, as long as properly-equipped, can be just as productive or sometimes even more.” They worked at communicating this to their clients, assuring them that they had access to the best tools to achieve their productivity goals.
Yuson knows all about being productive at work, having his first worked as a cashier in his father’s grocery store. “I learned the ins and outs of running a business. I always knew that gaining success in any field meant learning as much as I can, be it through school or practical experience, and putting in the hard work,” he says of this time.
The skills that were honed in Yuson in those years helped him see the potential of the CWC portfolio later on. He first worked as a salesman for CWC way back during its inception 30 years ago.
“The office fit out category was booming because it was the time when multinationals were expanding and branching out to the Philippines. CWC started as an office furniture company offering mainly workstations and task seating,” he shares.
In 2016, he bought out the company from the previous owner and transformed it to offer more work and home solutions, dealing not just furniture but also architectural products such as floorings and partitions.
Their company philosophy has always been grounded on providing value to customers and industry partners. Under his leadership it has evolved these past years, strengthening its commitment to give back more to the industry.
Yuson says that they want to encourage a culture of learning and growth in the industry. “In fact, we just did the ground-breaking ceremony for The CWC Design Center, which is part of our commitment to a constantly evolving and growing industry,” he says. “We want to bring the best that the world has to offer under one iconic Eames-inspired building in the heart of Makati.”
Next generation
The CWC Design Center, Yuson describes, is a testament to the evolution and growth of the company.
“From a firm that was dealing initially in just furniture, it now offers over 32 world-renowned brands,” he says. “CWC is also now offering a wide range of architectural products and will make the CWC Design Center a one stop shop for all fit out requirements featuring only premium brands to ensure that we stay true to our company DNA.”
One of the center’s features will be a furniture museum that will be open to the public for regular tours and viewing.
“We envision a regular roster of schools and design groups that will be able to see the history of furniture design and the design intent of the modern and classic pieces,” Yuson says. “We wish to always refresh these tours, regularly feature design talks and provide a venue for seasoned architects and designers to share their thoughts with the younger generation.”
Similarly, they want to feature young designers as well and provide a backdrop for nurturing their creativity, skill, and thought process.
To this lofty ideal, he adds that through the center, they will “not only break ground on new soil but also break ground by investing in the future through a new home that will showcase the most iconic modern designs, as well as encourage learning and an exchange of ideas. This creative hub will enable CWC and its partners to be at the forefront of change.”
The full story on Fred Yuson is in Volume 2 of Lifestyle Asia 2021.
