Metaphil targets opening of fabrication shop by Q4

The construction arm of the Aboitiz Group, Metaphil, is currently expediting the commercial operation of its modular fabrication shop in Balamban in order to cope with the robust demand for mining and oil refiner pre-fabricated plant devices.

Aboitiz & Company (ACO) director Erramon Aboitiz said that the P500 million fabrication shop is targeted to open in the third quarter or fourth quarter of this year.

The new Metaphil facility is situated in an eight hectare property within the West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP), which makes it easier for the company to ship out its products that are ready for export.

This facility is expected to augment employment demand for more skilled workers, especially welders.

“The mining and oil industries in the world are booming. We expect orders from foreign companies,” said Aboitiz.

Already, Metaphil had been receiving orders for steel and petrochemical products, heaters, and other mining and oil plant device requirements. These countries include; United States, Austria, Vietnam, Germany, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia, China and Thailand.

Last year, Metaphil shipped out five fully assembled mining thickener devices worth 5 million Australian dollars (worth P189 million) to New Caledonia, in North America.

Those were the first fully assembled devices exported by Metaphil to its client Outokumpo Technology Pty. Ltd., a supplier of CVRD Inco Limited, based in Canada, which is the second largest nickel producer.

The huge thickener device designed to separate minerals like gold, silver, copper and others from their host rock materials.

Using modular fabricated facilities is the new trend in the global construction industry as it saves time and money for many construction companies.

Although Metaphil is not the only company that specializes in Electro-Mechanical and Civil projects including steel fabrication works on a design, installation or turnkey basis, and offering outsourcing services to companies abroad, the company will have to do its best to be a serious player in the world’s construction material outsourcing business, Roberto Aboitiz, Metaphil president and chief executive officer (CEO) said in an interview.

The company also makes evaporators and vacuum pans for the sugar industry.

“We are now in the world procurement list,” Aboitiz said adding that with this, the Philippines is on the map as a world-class builder for industrial plants and equipment.

Metaphil started to venture into the export market some six years ago. About 40 percent of the total business of Metaphil goes to exports, said Aboitiz.

The Philippines is competing closely with Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, in terms of supplying construction and mining material requirements for other countries.

The company’s main plant is located in Tipolo, Mandaue City which employs over 3,000 workers. —Ehda M. Dagooc