Innovation, technological expertise key to Uratex's success

MANILA, Philippines - For the past 41 years, a small factory in Malibay, Pasay City whose outdoor office was located under a Santol tree has since grown into a group of companies with over 10 factories nationwide to date. This is the Uratex Group, and it has set its sights into becoming one of the top foam makers in Southeast Asia.

The company’s growth is highly attributable to several aspects, foremost of which are innovation and technological expertise, research and development capabilities, and quality management.

Innovation and technological expertise is one hallmark of the company’s tremendous growth. It was more than two decades ago when it invested on technologically-advanced foam making machines and other equipment to meet growing demands. Earlier this decade, the company invested in a state-of-the-art foam factory with world-class foaming machine from Germany called Hennecke multiflex foaming machine that can produce consistently high-quality 60-meter foam blocks, considered at par with the world’s finest. Hennecke is deemed top-of-the-line in foaming machinery, head and shoulders above everybody else. Its history dates back to 1945, which included the delivery of the very first polyurethane processing machine supplied to Bayer, the inventor of foam.

Aside from that, newer and bigger facilities were also built to provide better and faster service to customers. These facilities were located strategically in several parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas and thus contributed to uplift Uratex’s stature as a leading foam supplier both locally and internationally.

Research and development (R&D) also form the lifeblood of the company’s success. Uratex’s R&D team, housed in the only complete and certified foam testing laboratory in the country, regularly undergo rigorous training under the tutelage of global foam manufacturing experts and exposed to various manufacturing technologies here and abroad to help them develop newer and better-formulated foam products.

The latest global expert who conducted training and consultancy was Dr. Bruno Melle, a renowned expert who was at the forefront of the foam industry during its early years in the 1950s. Dr. Melle is the holder of many patents still being applied in the global polyurethane industry today.

The company also observed quality management and gave value to customers’ reactions and comments to improve on its performance. Being an ISO9001-certified organization also helped make Uratex enjoy a strong following in the country with its five main factories—Plaridel, Cabuyao, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa and Inoac Philippines Corp., a joint venture with Inoac Corp. of Japan.

The business of foam manufacturing in the country was the brainchild of Robert Cheng, the RGC Group’s founder and visionary leader. Amidst a market full of low-quality foam products, his idea of making foam products that are of high quality and pro-Pinoy affordability was quickly embraced by the discerning Filipino consumer. Cheng’s first-rate foam grade became the company’s banner foam product that made it the best-selling brand in the Philippines and exceeded customer expectations in terms of durability, comfort, support, world-class quality, affordability and total value-for-money.

The same recipe of doing business allowed Uratex to be the country’s primary supplier for foam seats for the quality-stringent automobile and motorcycle industries of the Philippines. Throughout its 33 years of dealing with the automotive OEM industry, the foundations of quality and productivity were further strengthened within the organization.

To date, the Uratex Group’s 10 plants are responsible in bringing to the Philippine market the brand’s famous high-quality yet affordable foam products, making it the leader in the local foam industry. But the company would not rest at its laurels as it intends to be the top foam company in the Asian region in terms of customer satisfaction, quality, technology, market share, and dedication to world-class excellence.

The company believes it would be able to reach its business goals through teamwork, innovation and total quality management system, at the same time satisfy customers’ demand for quality products, affordable yet competitive prices, and always on-time delivery. As a foam maker, Uratex believes that with the right R&D, the right manufacturing process, and the right tools and inspection standards, they can come up with world-class products and services for the Philippine market—and for the world.