Die and mold sector aims to become top global supplier

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine die and mold industry aims to become a top supplier to automotive and electronics firms by reducing its imports and raising its production in the next five to 10 years, the Philippines Die and Mold Association, Inc. (PDMA) said.

In a press conference for Southeast Asia’s largest international machine tools and metalworking technologies trade and exhibition conference Metalex, PDMA president Philip Ang said the group would like to make the country the top supplier to automotive and electronic firms operating in Asia.

To attain its goal of becoming a top supplier to automotive and electronics firms, the group aims to reduce its imports of mold and increase local production of such.

“From imports of almost $42 million last year, we want to reduce that by $3-to $4-million per year. Our target is to localize production,” Ang said.

While the group aims to hike its output, no export targets have been set so far under the roadmap submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Last year, the group’s exports were valued at around $9 million.

Ang said among the challenges faced by the industry is the lack of manpower.

“Mostly, manpower goes abroad. What is left are those who did not qualify for work abroad,” he said.

With the set-up of the Die and Mold Solution Center facility initiated by the Department of Science and Technology and a government-funded training program, the group is hopeful of increasing its workforce to hike local production.

The group, Ang said, is also looking to work with its counterpart the Thai Tool and Die Industry Association (TDIA) to implement training programs given its expertise, with the country having an annual production of about four million vehicles.

“In Thailand, they have very efficient production because of training centers…In our case, we have good manufacturing facility but training is not there. It is coming from other countries,” he said.

TDIA president Kamon Nakasuwan said in the same event the group is willing to work with PDMA.

“Thailand has progressed in terms of human resource development and Thailand is ready to assist Philippines on training, technology, knowledge and skills,” he said.