Epson expands operations to include industrial robots

MANILA, Philippines — Epson Precision Philippines Inc. (EPPI) is investing over P40 million to expand its operations in Batangas to include the manufacture of industrial robots, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

In a statement yesterday, the investment promotion agency said a supplemental agreement was signed by PEZA director general Tereso Panga and EPPI president Yushi Irie for the firm’s new manufacturing project at the Lima Technology Center-Special Economic Zone in Batangas.

The agreement expands EPPI’s registered activities with the PEZA to include the manufacture of various types of industrial robots.

These would include Selective Compliant Articulated Robot Arm (SCARA) and six-axis models, along with their component parts, sub-assemblies for knock-down production, spare parts and after-sales service parts.

Slated to start in March next year, the project is expected to generate around 118 jobs.

Through the new manufacturing project, the Philippines will be further integrated to the global robotics supply chain.

Epson is the world’s top SCARA robot manufacturer and leader in precision automation.

The firm’s 33-hectare hectare facility in Batangas houses three expansive factory buildings and employs over 20,000 workers.

For PEZA, the new manufacturing project signals strong confidence in the country as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

It also reflects PEZA’s efforts to enable global firms to expand into higher-value and future-ready industries given new developments reshaping global production.

“Epson has been part of the PEZA family since 1995, and today we welcome them into an entirely new chapter of reinventing itself and moving up the value chain – from precision printing to precision robotics. This is the kind of growth we want every locator to aspire to: continuously advancing, innovating and finding new ways to compete globally,” Panga said.

“PEZA will always be here to support this kind of forward-looking investment, because when our locators grow bolder, our economy grows stronger with them,” he added.