The birth of MINCO (Mindanao Industrial Confectionery Corporation), was due to the necessity to utilize the abundant durian fruit supply in the area. Out of a meager savings of P32.00, Mr. Domingo, Sr. started in September 16,1950 the confectionery production using this unique raw materials – the Durian pulp as its main ingredient. It was the first product of durian sweets and durian preserves tha
t Davao City, a durian lover area, has accepted and cherished the MINCO product as local delicacy. The acceptance of MINCO durian sweets and preservers has soon spread to the neighboring cities, towns and provinces in Mindanao. The great demand of MINCO Durian products in Cebu and Manila areas was also brought by visitors in the Mindanao area as giveaways or “pasalubong” to the relatives and friends. The ultimate recognition of MINCO durian products with its original (founder/inventor) conceptor – Mr. as a National Awardee granted by the NACIDA (National Cottage Industry Development Authority) was confirmed consistently for 6 years 1970 to 1975. Recent awardee of Datu Maguindanao the most prestigious award in Davao City. From the initial production of durian toffee and durian preserves – MINCO has expanded its products to durian bars, durian sticks, durian cubes, durian puro (pure) and on off-season of durian fruits, embarked on the manufacture of mangosteen preserves; ube jam; mango dried fruit; pineapple dried fruit; ginger powder (instant salabat) and peanut butter. All these product mix has gained acceptance in the market for the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. Offers for exclusive supply for fresh durian preserves came from Magnolia and Selecta, both leading ice cream manufacturers in Manila, Philippines., to make durian ice cream for the summer month flavor. Other offers to market all MINCO products abroad was not possible due to the constraints of very strong local demand. In 1996, MINCO was re-organized as a corporation – MINCO Industrial Confectionery Corporation, a closed family company with sons and daughters as well as Mr. Jose DJ Domingo, Sr. and Mrs. Gilda J. Domingo as original incorporators. During the transition of MINCO from a single proprietorship to a corporation – it has expanded its operation and has availed of loans from financial institutions the proceeds of which were utilized as added working capital and the acquisition of plant machinery and equipment from Taiwan. Additional vehicles were acquired for delivery of products to neighboring cities and vehicles for hauling of durian fruits from the farms. During these corporate years, however, it was noted a week accounting and financial management and control coupled with the Asian financial crisis which has plunged the corporation into a dormant stage. The restructuring process which was strictly implemented in 1998 is now giving MINCO a new leash in its operational structure. For more than 6 decades, 64 years of existence , MINCO had been the subject of case studies of Asian Insitute of Management (AIM) students taking masteral degree courses. MINCO has also been consistent model project of NACIDA with due recognition of being a pioneering industry in the manufacturer of durian fruits.
