| 1960 | Zenco Enterprises emerged into existence on April 15 at 673 Tabora St., Binondo, with barely seven (7) sales workforce selling a modest product lines as sandals, rubber and leather shoes, plastic combs and towels. |
| 1961 | Amid its fourishing business, Zenco Enterprises was hit and razed into ashes by disastrous fire; but Mr. KP Yao, its founder par excellance in his own right, armed with strong determination and optimistic business foresight, rose back from the ruins and reopened at Claro M. Recto, known as Footstep Divisoria. |
| 1962 | UNO FOOTWEAR, a branch engaged in retail and wholesale, opened at Zenco's original site at Tabora. |
| 1967 | Provincial branch expansion was initiated which catered to the establishment, one after the other, of store outlets mostly involved in wholesale trading in Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Naga. |
| 1972 | Cubao outlet was opened and the trade name "FOOTSTEP" was introduced and integrated in the retail store's sinage. |
| 1973 | Zenco Sales Inc. as a corporate identity is adopted. |
| 1980 | Zeus Marketing which engages in the distribution of raw materials and supplies for the production of leather shoes became an affiliate organization under Zenco Sales corporate umbrella. Assuming a supportive role, selected sapatero shoemakers of Marikina and Binan supplied Zenco shoe stores with leather products. |
| 1981 | As predictably inevitable, Zenco-Rubberworld tie-up was forged. This move to harness the manufacturing potentials of RWPI and marketing capabilities of Zenco was prompted by Mr. KP Yao's unstinted commitment to gain and ensure Zenco's prominent place and lead in the domestic shoe industry. |
| 1982 | A young but daring breed of a lady executive, the heir-apparent to Zenco's corporate helm, Mrs. Julie Yao Ong, confidently accepted the challenge of business demands and pressures and assumed the position as Zenco Sales' EVP-GM. |
| 1983 | Computerization Program
geared to its fullblast with main thrusts centered on systems design and
analysis and program developments. This brought about the usage of
Branch Operations System (ZBOS), Data Summarization and Inventory Consolidation
(ZSUM) to speed up sales and inventory analysis and feedback on account
receivables.
To date, as a matter of consequence, 100% of the branches are on computerized operations. |
| 1984 | Company marketing strategies shifted priorities to small-scale branches -- the franchise system. An initial of five (5) franchises, mostly in the metropolis, were launched as pilot outlets. |
| 1985 | Zenco celebrated its 25th Anniversary. By then, seventy-seven regular branches were in operation nationwide. |
| 1986 | Complementing the growing
number of Footstep stores, Regional Warehouses were set-up in several key
cities like Santiago, Dagupan, Legaspi, Cebu, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and
Davao.
Also, from the busy area of Divisoria, Zenco Head Office moved to a more sophiscated and modern venue in Makati. This same year, among others, ushered, for the first time, the Company's launching of a fun-filled sports and athletic program among Head Office employees dubbed as "SHOELYMPICS". |
| 1988 | Zenco Sales, Inc. held its FIRST BRANCH MANAGERS CONVENTION at Midtown Ramada Hotel. In the same event, the new Footstep store prototype, including sinage and branch interiors, was introduced to the delegates, executives and guests. The first outlet to adopt the new branch structure and design is F-Aurora in Cubao. The affair culminated with the relevant skill-building workshop and exercises focused on the convention theme: "Building Excellence in Sales Thru Teamwork". |
| 1989 | K.P. Tower, a 25-storey
commercial-residential building project located at the heart of business
convergent Divisoria area, moved in full swing.
On the other hand, Product Research and Development Department tasked in the development and design of HOUSEBRANDS was revived and successfully launched the DESIGNER ladies' premium shoes, the 100%KYDD shoes for children and CAMBRIDGE shoes for men. To back-up PRDD's merchandising scheme, the Special Projects Department was likewise created. Company's advertising, too, went on an intensified campaign and promotions as it embarked into sponsorships that made FOOTSTEP become the official shoes for different Beauty Pageants like BB. PILIPINAS, MUTYA NG PILIPINAS, MS. PHILIPPINE PHOTOGRAPHY, and SUPERMODEL. Along this advertising thrust, Zenco had likewise contracted several TV and movie personalities to increase and promote product awareness and visibility. |
| 1990s | Under Construction... |
As
an avid goal and target achiever, our corporate strategies and direction
should be guided deeply by that vision, inspired
by our beloved founder and chairman, Mr.
K.P. Yao, which has become Zenco's marked
tradition, values, and way of life chracterized by sustained industry,
responsibility, dedication, teamwork, competence, and a steadfast
will which serve as necessary incentives in facing the challenging years
ahead of us, thus surpass more than what we had accomplished in the past
40 years.
With new technologies, more resources, and better
sales concepts within
our reach, no doubt, we will hit even greater
achievements and
success in the years to come.