EXPANSION PLAN. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V (left) and Tamiya Inc. chairman Shunsaku Tamiya (right) recently met in Tamiya, Inc. headquarters in Shizuoka, Japan. Tamiya has discussed the expansion plan of the company in its manufacturing plant in Cebu. (Photo courtesy of DTI)
MANILA – Tamiya, Inc., a Japanese producer of plastic model kits and radio-controlled cars, remains confident in the Philippines as it plans to expand its manufacturing facility here.
In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tamiya will be investing PHP2 billion for a new manufacturing line inside Cebu Light Industrial Park.
The production plant in Cebu is Tamiya’s only manufacturing operation outside Japan, although the company is also present in the United States, Germany, and Hong Kong.
“The fact that Tamiya has been operating in the country for about 30 years and is now moving forward with expansion plans despite the challenges of the pandemic, is testament to the enabling environment that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with his economic managers, have set up for foreign direct investors,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said.
With this expansion plan, Tamiya aims to ramp up its manufacturing capacity by 20 percent to increase its output by 5 percent over three years.
The Japanese manufacturer targets to commence operation of the new plant by September 2023.
It will create 300 jobs upon completion of the new facility, an addition to its over 1,200 manpower engaged in model assembly.
Tamiya cars are patronized by hobbyists worldwide for their exceptional quality and accuracy.
“We are proud that a company, known to espouse a philosophy of ‘First in Quality around the World’, has entrusted our workers with such a huge responsibility. The quality, efficiency, and productivity of Filipino workers will always remain to be the Philippines’ best and most competitive resource,” Lopez added. (PNA)
