JAPANESE automotive parts manufacturer Metaltech Co. Ltd. has signed a technical-assistance agreement with local company Roberts AIPMC recently as part of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program. The program was signed by President Aquino last year to revitalize the country’s automotive industry.
The CARS Program aims to elevate the country, as a regional automotive manufacturing hub by
encouraging new investments, stimulating demand and implementing industry regulations. Additionally, the program aims to develop the parts-making capability of the automotive industry.
The potential of the program is anchored on the positive-growth momentum of the country’s economy. In the manufacturing sector alone, an 8-percent average-growth rate has been stated for the period of 2010 to 2014.
“The Philippine economy has been growing…especially in the country’s major markets,” said Cory Dichosa, BOI OIC—executive director of Industry Development Services during the agreement signing. “Sales of consumer goods like cars will continue to breakthrough in the Philippine market where middle income earners are increasing or even improving their incomes.”
The technical-assistance agreement between Metaltech Co. Ltd. and Roberts AIPMC—which is known for its significant contribution to the automotive and industrial parts manufacturing industry—aims to boost local manufacturing capability and create more employment through technology transfer. The companies will work jointly for the design and production of new automotive parts.
President Ryuichi Yajima of Metaltech Co. Ltd. expressed during the signing, “The technologies we will provide are certainly cultivated and acquired throughout our long business and manufacturing history, and we have experienced incalculable guidance from our customers.”
He added, “I am considering this Technical Assistance to have one meaning, and that is we have a chance to give back our technical guidance experience for society advancement.”
Likewise, Roberts AIPMC has established itself as one of the biggest automotive parts manufacturers in the industry through top-notch product development and world-class standards. It is one of the pioneers in the industry that feature integrated production of automotive parts. Still, Executive Vice President for Roberts AIPMC Eddie Gallor believes that the local automotive and metal parts industry has so much room to grow.
He shared, “MetalTech has been in the business for 93 years. We have the saying, ‘Why reinvent the wheel?’ The technology is already there. So it is best to invite specialists who are willing to transfer the technology from Japan to the Philippines.”
Gallor said Roberts AIPMC will expend more than P100 million for the first phase of the agreement. Product development between the two companies is slated to start this year while mass production is scheduled in 2017.