In 1985, five close friends pooled their time and resources to set up a small trading company that imported and then sold a wide variety of merchandise.
They did not imagine then that almost 35 years later, the simple buy-and-sell venture called Primer International Corp. would become one of the fastest-growing and most formidable names in retail, with operations in 10 countries and relationships with over 150 leading global brands in outdoor, travel, action sports, footwear, fashion, wellness and urban lifestyle.
1985
The founding directors formed Primer International Corporation (PIC) as a trading company, importing seasonal merchandise.
1989
Luggage Trading and Services (LTS) was established as The Primer Group's first retail company.
1992
The Primer Group ventured into apparel licensing of Disney and Warner Bros.
1992
Uniglobe Travelware Co., Inc. (UTCI) was established, opening the Primer Group's first retail concept store specializing in luggage, The Travel Club.
1993
Kenrich International Distributor Corp. (KIDC) was established, marking the debut of the Primer Group in the footwear industry.
1994
Primer International Holdings and Management Inc. (PIHMI) was established as a holdings company of the group.
1996
Primer Printing Services Inc. (PPSI) was established as a textile printing company.
1997
Union Inks and Graphic Philippines Inc. (UIGPI) was established, venturing into the production of silkscreen and plastisol inks.
1997
The year the first Bratpack store, a unique lifestyle concept store for the young, hip and bold generation of today, was launched.
1998
The Primer Group’s second footwear company, PhilGear International Inc. (PGII), was established.
1998
Stellar Equipment and Machinery, Inc. (SEMI) was established to formalize the company’s venture in the air-conditioning business.
2003
UIGPI became ISO 9001-2000 Certified.
2003
Aircond. Network Philippines (ANPI) was established as an aircon service provider.
2005
Full scale creatives and services company Brushstroke Creatives was established.
2006
Primer International Management Limited (PIML) was established to handle brand distributorship covering multi-territories in Southeast and Far East Asia.
2006
The Primer Group launched its first fully-owned brand of luggage – World Traveler.
2007
The Primer Group obtained multi-site ISO certification.
2007
Primer Resources Corp. became the Regional Operating Headquarters.
2007
Res|Toe|Run opened with an innovative store concept.
2007
The first Recreational Outdoor Exchange (R.O.X.) store was launched at Bonifacio High Street as the largest outdoor superstore in Southeast Asia.
2008
The Primer Group moved its headquarters to Primer Star Center in Malate, Manila.
2010
The Primer Group launched its newest addition to its roster of concept stores; LadyBag is a specialty store for the ladies’ discerning taste in bags.
2010
Under the Primer Group of Companies, the first FitFlop store in the world opened in Mall of Asia.
2012
The jetsetter's favorite source for travel products since 1999, Flight 001, touched down in the Philippines.
2014
Marking its first store in Asia, Fox opened its first store in the Philippines under Primer Group.
2015
Interior design solutions hub Designery opened in Ortigas, Pasig City.
2015
Originally Saujana Premiere in Cavite, The Park (formerly Primer Management Conference) was acquired by Primer Group and transformed to a resort for company events and seminars.
2017
Brushstroke Creatives opened its first ever store and showroom at the SM Mall of Asia.
2017
UIGPI obtained ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard, confirming UIGPI as the first and only company certified for silk-screen manufacturing with digital printing and cutting services.
2018
Academy for Professional Excellence received accreditation from the Professional Regulation Commission as a Continuing Professional Development Provider.
2018
Primer Group enables cashless payments in its stores through partnerships with mobile payment options WeChat Pay, GCash and Paymaya.
2018
Travelon opened in the Philippines its first global store under the Primer Group of Companies.
2018
Primer Group partnered with e-commerce service provider giant Buy Quickly to strengthen its e-commerce venture.
2018
The Primer group brings true luxury glamping lifestyle by its introduction of the first world-class outdoor glamping shelter in the region through its partnership with Adria Mobil of Slovenia and GlamPro.
2019
The Primer group acquired Portland-based Outdoor brand, Poler Outdoors, through its US subsidiary Pacific & Everest Lifestyle Company making Primer a global competitor in the outdoor and adventure lifestyle.
2021
The Primer group industrial business units - SEMI, ANPI and BEST conclude their partnership with NYSE-listed company, Johnsons Controls International, cementing its position as the country's leading smart and green building tech solutions provider.