CEBU, Philippines - A linen manufacturer will invest around P40 million to build four more factories in the Philippines next year to answer to the growing demand for linen products in the hospitality sector.
Wai Lok Fung, president of Globalinens Worldwide Inc., announced this week the company is adding four factories in its industrial area in Cabuyao, Laguna on top of its existing seven.
Currently, Wai said the firm's existing factories can produce about 5,000 pillows and 5,000 sets of bedsheets daily.
"Productivity can't catch up with the demand," the company official said in an interview. "We are looking at increasing our production capacity."
The linen firm currently employs around 500 Filipino workers and with the plan to put up additional factories, it might generate 300 more jobs, he said.
Furthermore, the Chinese executive also underscores that the Philippines' hospitality industry will continue to expand, noting the rise of more hotels and resorts.
The company is supplying more than 250 hotel chains and 300 departments stores and supermarkets nationwide. It is supplying some of the biggest hotels and resorts in the country.
Wai disclosed they are now looking at penetrating Malaysia and Singapore by October or November this year through a product launching there. This will be the firm's first overseas venture, he said.
The linen maker is currently taking advantage of the Philippine market, banking heavily on its expanding hospitality and retail sectors. — (FREEMAN)