Zama’s new 11,000-square meter facility that was built to expand its production capabilities in the PhilippinesGerman machine parts manufacturer Zama Precision Industry Manufacturing Philippines Inc. inaugurated its expansion building at First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) in Sto. Tomas, Batangas on March 14, 2024.

Zama invested $16 million in its additional 11,000-square meter facility, which will house the production of new product segments such as wire harnesses, technical textiles and electromechanical injection systems.

According to Zama vice president Thorsten Koenig, “back then in 2014, when Zama decided to establish a second manufacturing site for carburetors to minimize risks of single sourcing from customer point of view, Zama did look at various countries in the region and decided for the Philippines due to the unique advantages the Philippines had and have to offer. Then the decision for FPIP was done due to the professionalism of FPIP, the services FPIP had to offer and the great infrastructure within FPIP.”

Zama is the world’s largest producer of diaphragm carburetors and a trusted supplier of major equipment manufacturers of gasoline-powered outdoor tools, including Makita, Stihl, Husqvarna and MTD.

In 2014, Zama expanded their manufacturing footprint in the Philippines through their $54.24-million investment in FPIP.

“FPIP congratulates Zama on their latest expansion facility,” said Joval Pantangco Jr., chief commercial officer for FPIP. “We are grateful and honored for the trust they placed on us almost 10 years ago and now that they are breaking ground on their latest expansion.

“This is not just a manifestation of Zama’s continuing commitment towards the advancement of the Philippine manufacturing industry, but also a manifestation of their belief in the capabilities of the Filipino workforce.”

The expansion will generate 200 new employment opportunities.

“These new jobs translate into livelihoods and opportunities that can help uplift the lives of Filipino families. It will also serve as a conduit, transferring the technical know-how to the Filipino workforce, making them truly world-class.

“But what makes us proud even more is Zama joining FPIP in our journey towards r e g e n e r a t i o n and decarbonization,” Pantangco added. “Their new facility was designed using best practices, including the use of green electricity, robust water sourcing and reuse system, and efforts to reduce emissions from Zama product lines.”

FPIP offers free venue for Batangas athletic meet First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) helped the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 4-A in holding a successful 2024 Calabarzon Regional Athletic Association Meet or CRAAM by offering free use of its sprawling ballpark as the venue for all baseball matches of the sports competition. Approximately 1,000 elementary and high school student-athletes from all five provinces comprising the region of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) took part in the weeklong regional baseball matches at the FPIP. The DepEd Division Office in Tanauan City, one of the two host cities of FPIP’s ecozone in Batangas, coordinated with FPIP for the free use of the ballpark. “This [support from FPIP] manifests [FPIP’s] magnanimous concern and contribution in the further development of our learners,” said Atty. Alberto Escobarte, DepEd Calabarzon director. Dr. Lourdes Bermudez, superintendent of DepEd-Tanauan City Division, also sees the ballpark as an ideal venue for future DepEd baseball events. Members of Tanauan City’s high school and elementary school baseball teams, along with their coaches, pose for a group photo after they emerged as champions during the sports competition in April 2024. They will join the Palarong Pambansa to be held in Cebu in July 2024. (Joel Gaborni)

(Story/Photos by:Charizze Henson)