TAIWANESE electronics firm New Kinpo Electronics Inc. will double the number of its 7,000 employees in its Philippine unit starting next year, in view of the establishment of a new manufacturing facility also in 2018.
This is according to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President George T. Barcelon, as the chamber prepares to host a business delegation of Taiwanese manufacturers in September.
“Kinpo Electronics has three locations right now, with a work force of 7,000,” Barcelon said during PCCI’s Metro Manila Business Conference 2017. “They are putting up another plant, but they’re still looking for a site, around 30 hectares.”
This was disclosed by Kinpo Group CEO Simon Shen during a meeting on Wednesday with Barcelon. Shen was part of a preparatory delegation made up of members of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Federation who met with the PCCI.
“There were about 20 members of the delegation, and they were extending an invitation and partnership with [the] PCCI,” Barcelon said adding the federation’s chairman is scheduled to visit the PCCi on September 28.
While the investment amount for the new facility has yet to be determined, Barcelon added it may be comparable to previous investments.
“This is a signal that we’re on their radar,” Barcelon said. “So we really have to make our country even more attractive.” In 2015 the Taiwanese firm invested some P1.4 billion to put up a new factory in Batangas to be operated by its subsidiary Kinpo Electronics Inc. The plant began operations in March last year. As an information and communications technology contract manufacturer, Kinpo Electronics supplies components to the likes of HP and Xiaomi.
The Kinpo Group’s previous investments in the Philippines include the project of its subsidiaries, like AcBel Polytech Inc., for the manufacture of light-emitting diode lighting and smart grid solutions. Another subsidiary is CalComp Electronics and Communications Co., which Kinpo Electronics invested in for the production of handsets, printers and liquid-crystal-display televisions.