PRIVILEGED to have worked with the fishing industry while I lived in General Santos City for nearly three decades—less the number of years that I had engagements outside of the city—and establishing professional relationships even deepening into friendships with the key actors of the industry, I am delighted to write about the journey of Immanuel Tuna Traders (ITT). Theirs is a story that inspires as they grew and continues to evolve and expand beyond Philippine borders.
Let us begin with the name: `Immānū’el.
`Immānū’el, a Hebrew word, which means “God with us” was the inspiration behind this single proprietorship. Beginning with simple plans, little did the owners know that “God with us” would bring them places outside of their comfort zones, and beyond borders in international relations, physical infrastructure, operational expansion, and sturdy growth throughout their business voyage.
The early beginnings: 1993-2003
Capitalizing on the boom of the Tuna Industry in General Santos City, ITT commenced its business life in the city of General Santos in 1993 as a trading company sending whole Tuna to Manila buyers. Following this initial step, in 1993-1994, they opened their store in Naranjita Street, General Santos, specializing in Tuna products.
By 1993-1997, they began supplying Tuna to Airica Exim, Inc., a Japanese-Filipino company that processed and exported Tuna Sashimi to Japan. They then started exporting Tuna to Japan in 1994-1996. The business moved forward by supplying Tuna (raw material for export) to Santa Cruz Seafoods in 1997-1999. A series of developments followed: 1999-2002—Supplied Tuna (raw material for export) to Pacific Seas, Inc.; 1999-2002—Supplied Tuna (raw material for export) to Phillips Seafoods; 2002-2003—Reopened the Tuna store in General Santos.
The phase of expansion: 2004-2014
The years 2002-2004 were unprecedented in the life of this single proprietorship as they embarked on a significant fishing operation with eighteen handline boats. The following years were productive in terms of growth and expansion: 2004-2008—Supplied Tuna (raw material for export) to Frescomar Seahelm Corporation; 2009-2012—Supplied raw production material to Well Delight Network Corporation; 2012-Present—Start importation of Tuna products from Asia; 2013-present-Opened Immanuel Tuna Seafood Store in General Santos City.
Beyond borders: 2015 and onward
Another milestone emerged in 2015 when ITT owners purchased the Solid Millennium Ice Plant which was inoperative at the time of purchase but fully rehabilitated in six months! The ice plant was renamed Immanuel Tuna Ice Plant in 2016 and became operational up to this day serving the needs of Tuna exporters, handline fishing boats, and Tuna processors located at the General Santos Fish Port Complex in Tambler, General Santos.
In 2017, the owners together with family and friends, began an export and import company named JFRCO Corporation exporting octopus to South Korea. Seeing more potential, in 2021, ITT initiated importing different seafood products from Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.
Moreover, in 2017, ITT started an informal partnership with Yvann Chua, who took charge of marketing the seafood products imported by the company and JFRCO Corporation. This year saw ITT further growing its reach regionally by selling and delivering their products all over Mindanao.
In yet another unprecedented move, in 2021, with Yvann Chua, ITT conceptualized the construction of a 420-metric ton cold storage facility—Geevan Cold Storage—to accommodate its increasing product line. This plan was set in motion in mid-2022 when construction kicked off with the goal of commencing operations in January 2024.
This year, 2023, the company began exporting fresh pineapples to South Korea.
From its humble beginnings in 1993, Immanuel Tuna Traders has seen how God has expanded its territory, literally, including nurturing a workforce of forty-five personnel!
For queries and orders, please contact: Immanuel Tuna Traders, 25 Naranjita St., General Santos City. Tel/Fax No. (083) 302-3248.
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My personal thoughts for Christmas 2023:
It is a happy season for me compared to the ogres of Christmases past. I gently pat my back and say, “You did it, girl! Just keep a steady pace and focus on the next goals. Thank you, LORD, for keeping me in your bubble of love.”
Merry Christmas to all my readers. Let us all have a joyous Christmas season!
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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
