Hitachi, Koryo Subic expand operations in Subic freeport

MANILA, Philippines – More foreign investments entered the Subic Bay Freeport as Japanese firm Hitachi Terminal Mechatronics Philippines Corp. (HTMP) opened a new warehouse while electronics firm Koryo Subic Inc. is undergoing plant expansion.

HTMP, a leading manufacturer of automated teller machines (ATMs) and terminal card reading machines, has inaugurated its new warehouse in the free port despite the ongoing global economic slowdown.

The firm, which is located at the Subic Techno Park, unveiled a new 3,564-square meter warehouse. Hitachi Asia Ltd. general manager Hitoshi Goto called the investment an indication of how HTMP workers envision a bigger and brighter operations for the company.

“Success should be attributed to the deeply committed and hardworking workers and officers of the HTMP. We believe this will promote operational efficiency to meet the vision towards global competitiveness,” Goto said during the inauguration.

For his part, HTMP president Kiyotaka Adachi described the new warehouse as part of HTMP’s business strategy to control cost and improve its efficiency to be able to compete strongly.

The warehouse operation involves receiving of goods, stocking, warehouse controlling, keeping and materials handling, picking or withdrawal of parts, delivery of picked parts to production, as well as for shipping.

“The inauguration of this new warehouse marks the start for HTMP to compete in the global market despite worldwide financial difficulties,” Adachi said.

“In order to improve efficiency, companies like the HTMP need to introduce change in the job process. This warehouse will enable us to conserve our resources and also improve our production output,” he added.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza praised HTMP’s expansion project, noting that it was pursued at a time when most businesses are starting to cut back on operations.

“Those who understand the dynamics of business cycles know very well that this daring business decision of HTMP is what will give Hitachi an edge over other companies when economy or market bounces to stand,” he said.

Hitachi, Arreza added, has already proven itself as a dynamic firm when it became one of the biggest exporters in the freeport for 2008 with a total export earnings valued at $76 million, and setting a new benchmark for itself by surpassing its own 2007 export of $22 million.

Arreza added that the opening of HTMP’s new warehouse facility “is a sign of the company’s business foresight and continued competitiveness.” –Ma. Elisa P. Osorio, Philippine Star