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To strengthen its position, Inland is continuously expanding its network to cooperate with other freight forwarders and shipping companies. Today the company serves an impressive clientele from thriving industries including manufacturing, general contracting, food and beverage and telecommunications.

Isewan Terminal (Nagoya), JAS (Tokyo) and Hayama International and Engineering are just a few of the company’s valued Japanese clients.

From only 20 units in 1976, Inland has grown its trucking services nationwide with a fleet of over 100 trucks. In 2017, the company tied-up with Hino Motors Philippines for its re-fleeting program. Today more than half of their trucks are Hino.

Inland’s contract logistics, warehouse and manpower management businesses have grown gradually and to date the company has six contract logistics projects with multinational companies and more than 300 employees assigned to various projects.

Inland’s VMI business allows its clients to improve their forecasts, scheduling and planning. It has 10,000 sq. meters of storage space strategically located in three major economic zones, allowing clients to enjoy the privilege of duty and taxfree importation while shortening their process flows.

“We continue to try to understand the specific requirements of each of our business clients and partners so that we can serve them better as they grow their businesses in the Philippines,” concluded Roa- Antonio.

www.inlandph.com

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With an average age of 23.1 years, the country has a young, skilled, English-speaking labor force with strong communication, technology and business skills. The number of employees at Tsukiden has increased from 30 in 1989 to over 400 today.

“Thanks to President Duterte’s ‘Build Build Build’ initiative, his support for businesses and strong leadership, the Philippines is experiencing one of the strongest economic periods in its history,” said Jiro Hanzawa, chairman of Tsukiden.

“The government of the Philippines has entrusted Japanese businesses with the task of contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy. We will continue playing our part and create opportunities for people here.”

The combination of Filipino innovation and Japanese discipline create synergies and Tsukiden is providing employees with the opportunity to train and work in Japan. Young engineers from the Philippines are gaining a reputation for excellence and Tsukiden plans to create more employee opportunities.

The company has received various awards from prestigious organizations and agencies, both in the Philippines and abroad, for its excellent performance in IT projects, employee management and business acumen. Aside from this, it is actively involved in corporate social responsibility programs focusing on education, environmental welfare and ethical business practices.

“Our success is founded on strong client relationships, delivery of quality projects, our dynamic teamwork and contribution to society,” said Maria Cecilia Anson, president of Tsukiden.

“We have a holistic approach to doing business and we place great importance on developing employee skills. We see opportunities to develop our business with Japanese and international clients and look forward to continually supporting them.”

Moving forward, Tsukiden will continue to soar high with its innovation, integrity and excellence.

www.tspi.com.ph

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BDO Unibank’s extensive branch network, which includes a presence in industrial zones, ATMs and cash deposit machines benefit Japanese investors across the Philippines.

“We understand the needs of foreign investors and through our comprehensive range of products and services we assist investors and help generate a stress-free business environment for them,” said Edward G. Wenceslao, BDO Unibank senior vice president and head of international desks.

The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry recently disclosed that $1.24 billion worth of investment and expansion of existing projects by Japanese companies is expected to pour into the country’s manufacturing, agriculture, retail, real-estate, automotive and education sectors. This will provide BDO Unibank with opportunities to deliver more banking solutions to investors from Japan.

“In the Philippines, and across the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, we are constantly finding ways to improve our services and capabilities to give the foreign investment community a better banking experience,” said BDO Unibank Chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson. “We fully recognize their importance in strengthening the economy.”

BDO Unibank also has dedicated Europe, North America, China, Taiwan, Korea and ASEAN desks managed by a multilingual team. BDO Unibank’s representative offices in Beijing, Taipei and Seoul continue to assist clients as they invest in the Philippines.

www.bdo.com.ph

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Sharp Philippines continuously strengthens its partnerships with its dealers nationwide, giving them more visibility across their stores, resulting in the company’s annual growth of 20 to 25 percent in recent years.

The company has also held the No. 1 market share for washing machines in the Philippines for many years and it was recently awarded again as the ‘Most Trusted Brand’ of washing machine by Reader’s Digest.

Sharp Philippines also achieved two remarkable milestones this year; production of its 4 millionth TV unit in February and its 9 millionth washing machine in May.

As the first company to introduce the 8K LED TV to the Philippines under the Aquos line, Sharp Philippines will launch a new series this month. In addition, the new personal computer Dynabook will be launched in the Philippines later this year. The company also intends to introduce kitchen appliances that promote a healthy lifestyle.

“Sharp loves the Philippines,” concluded Kito. “We are committed to expanding our local production capabilities, (as well as) providing and delivering quality products to Filipino customers.”

www.ph.sharp

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Inauguration of a new classroom building at the Camayse Elementary School, Samar province.   |  © Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) was established in the Philippines 56 years ago. MMPC, being the most successful Mitsubishi Motors country operations in terms of market share, was able to surpass the turbulent economic challenges such as the recession in the 1980s, the 1997 Asian financial crisis and 2008 global financial crisis and has remained committed to the Philippines.

To date, MMPC is holding its head up high as it continuously achieves various milestones in its Philippine operations. In March 2019, MMPC reached a remarkable 1 million unit sales and a projected annual growth of 10 percent. MMPC intends to achieve the next 1 million unit sales in 11 years.

The Philippine government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program drives the country’s automotive industry and delivers incentives across the industry. MMPC has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry – Board of Investments to accelerate production and take advantage of key incentives.

Currently, the company’s 23-hectare manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, manufactures the Mirage and Mirage G4 and soon will reproduce the L300 model. MMPC’s plans to export these models to neighboring Association of Southeast Asian Nation markets are underway.

“Exporting our products to neighboring countries will enable us to reduce the impact of any turbulence in the local market and importantly, uplift the Filipino people’s living standards through our business activities,” said Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, MMPC president and chief executive officer.

Corporate social responsibility initiatives are extremely important to Mitsubishi Motors. Mitsubishi Motors Corp., MMPC’s parent company, matches voluntary donations made by employees with an equivalent contribution as part of the STEP fund. The initiative led to the inauguration of a new classroom building at Camayse Elementary School in Santa Rita, Samar province, on March 29, 2019.

In line with MMPC and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Sustainable Integrated Area Development program, both entities jointly kicked off a 100-hectare plantation project in March 2018 that is scheduled to last five years. Recently, MMPC also donated vehicles to nongovernment organizations and schools such as the GMA Kapuso Foundation and Santa Rosa Science & Technology High School (SCITECH).

“By offering quality vehicles supported by the highest-level of service and customer experience, we intend to remain an industry leader in the Philippines,” said Oshikiri.

“We are committed to delivering affordable and reliable vehicles. Through our efforts, new customers across the country are becoming more aware of Mitsubishi Motors. We encourage visitors to explore our showrooms and share our enthusiasm for high-quality products and services.”

www.mmpc.ph

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Driven by the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals and growth prospects, particularly in infrastructure, the Philippines continues to rank among the best countries to invest in. This has led to a growing interest from foreign companies, specifically Japan, to invest in the country.

Among the conglomerates that have taken the opportunities is the Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). The bank has recently formed partnerships with three Japanese banks: two from the Kansai Mirai Financial Group, Inc. under Resona Holdings Inc., namely the Osaka-based Kansai Urban Banking Corp. and the Kobe-based Minato Bank; and Shoko Chukin Bank, a Japanese government institution that supports small and midsized enterprises (SME).

These deals seek to encourage and support Japanese businesses, especially SME, to invest in ecozones in the Philippines, particularly in the financial, retail and infrastructure sectors.

This partnership likewise opens better prospects for Philippine companies who wish to do business with Japan — a win-win for the economies of both countries.

RCBC has had a long and solid relationship with the Japanese market since 1974.

This alliance is in line with the bank’s mandate to extend its robust and innovative products and services by way of fostering and strengthening both local and global partnerships, all solidifying its role in improving Filipino lives.

For more information, visit www.rcbc.com  or contact the Japanese Business Relationship Office at +632 894 9000 local 1433.

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Malayan Insurance Company, Inc. has secured its position as a leader in the nonlife insurance industry in the Philippines in terms of gross premiums written (GPW) and assets for 2018, according to unaudited industry figures recently released by the Insurance Commission (IC).

In 2018, Malayan Insurance produced GPW amounting to 10.16 billion pesos. With a significant lead over the next insurer, Malayan Insurance has been the dominant nonlife insurer for Philippine businesses and families for almost 50 years.

Malayan Insurance has likewise led the industry in terms of assets, reporting 34.28 billion pesos in total assets for year-end 2018, according to the IC. This makes Malayan Insurance the largest nonlife insurer in the Philippines.

Malayan Insurance has been introducing new products and services into the Philippine non-life insurance market, with the launch of its Travelite budget travel insurance and Motomax motorcycle insurance, an affordable total loss only cover for the growing motorcycle market.

Malayan Insurance is the only Philippine nonlife insurance company rated by AM Best, a global rating authority for the insurance industry. AM Best has affirmed the rating of Malayan Insurance with Financial Strength Rating: B++ (Good), and Insurer Credit Rating BBB+, providing the Philippine insuring public with world-class insurance protection.

Founded in 1930, Malayan Insurance is a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), and has been the Philippine partner of Japan’s Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Insurance since 1964.

www.malayan.com

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These are undertaken by the private sector in partnership with the government of the Philippines. The bank is well-positioned to syndicate or bankroll funds for companies able to secure other projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program. The Philippines remains awash with cash and we are inclined to support green, sustainable and renewable energy projects.

Cesar E.A. Virata: Our primary goal has always been and will continue to be supporting the people of the Philippines and the economy. We have been focusing on creating opportunities for people who live in provincial areas. These initiatives align perfectly with current infrastructure projects and the construction of airports and hospitals.

SMS: What makes YGC’s business model so effective across multiple business sectors?

Helen Yuchengco Dee: Ingrained in YGC are its core values: forward-thinking, service excellence, teamwork, a sense of urgency, professionalism and accountability. These values drive the business forward. Our business model encourages and facilitates synergies across our business sectors. We are able to take advantage of the strengths of each business unit to help other units within our conglomerate and promote sustained profitability and stability.

Guided by our core values, RCBC continuously works hard to provide investment vehicles, funding options to businesses and opportunities for every Filipino who wants their own home, car and business.

The awards brought home by Mapua University, one of the top engineering schools in Manila, and RCBC are proof that we are on the right track. We continue to implement innovative teaching methods at Mapua University and strive to ensure the university is a place where theory meets practice in order to continue the establishment’s “outcome-based” education system. Mapua University was among the first to implement online lectures for college students and in-class lectures are recorded and uploaded online for students to revisit at their convenience.

Our strategic partnerships with international universities allow our students to explore an expanded “network of learning,” while always keeping Mapua University ahead of the curve.

Cesar E.A. Virata: The healthy lending activities throughout the country have been driven by the excellent economic performance of the Philippines for the past five years. As a result, every RCBC market segment has seen significant growth, including the five year compound annual growth rate for corporates at 9 percent, small and midsized enterprises at 20 percent and consumers at 17 percent. The progressive Philippine economy has allowed RCBC to expand its reach and diversify its business services into fields such as microfinance lending and digital banking. RCBC is committed to empowering Filipinos. We want to be a driving force that contributes to building the economy and developing industries while acting as a bridge to improve every Filipino’s quality of life.

SMS: How has YGC been able to benefit from the recent influx of foreign investment?

Helen Yuchengco Dee: We have received many inquiries from foreign companies to establish joint ventures with us, either in our existing businesses or in new businesses. Malayan Insurance has seen business growth through its travel insurance products. With more Filipinos achieving a higher earning capacity and traveling to local and international destinations, there has also been an increase in awareness regarding travel insurance for their protection.

SMS: What factors are bringing Japan and the Philippines closer together during this ‘golden era of strategic partnership’?

Helen Yuchengco Dee: The Philippines has always expressed confidence in its relations with Japan. The Japanese government announced that it will provide maximum support for rehabilitation efforts in Marawi, the capital of Lanao Del Sur and rolled out a $9 billion investment plan for the Philippines over a five-year period. Commitments such as this confirm that Japan is a strategic ally in advancing peace, progress and prosperity.

As Francis Laurel, president of The Philippines-Japan Society, said, “Honesty, innovation and a strong work ethic” are values that our two nations continue to share when it comes to advocating this important partnership.

SMS: To what do you attribute the successful Japanese partnerships established across YGC’s businesses?

Helen Yuchengco Dee: The success of these partnerships is deeply rooted in respect, transparency and trust. The alliances we have forged have been mutually beneficial for both YGC and its partner companies. The desire for each party to succeed is evident in every partnership and understanding how each company’s strengths can be harnessed for the benefit of each joint venture is one of the most vital components for success.

The long-standing partnership between Malayan Insurance and Tokio Marine (founded in 1879 as the first insurance company in Japan) is a good example. Tokio Marine is able to offer its products and services to the Filipino public through Malayan Insurance with efficient practices that we have implemented. This has allowed us to benefit our customer base and grow our businesses together.

SMS: What future ventures can we expect from YGC?

Helen Yuchengco Dee: Conglomerates such as YGC can convert demands driven by economic growth into opportunities. In line with the “Build, Build, Build” program, JP Systems Asia Inc. (an affiliate of EEI Corp.) is working in partnership with two Japanese construction firms to deliver scaffolding and rent formwork for projects. The venture aims to support the Philippine construction industry by supplying high-quality shoring and scaffolding products while incorporating Japanese techniques, standards and disciplines in construction projects across the country.

As ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration moves forward, we are considering the merger of RCBC and RCBC Savings Bank to build a stronger institution able to compete with international banks. We are confident that by joining the two we can incorporate the best practices implemented by both banks to form a “double-barrelled” corporation.

Cesar E.A. Virata: We believe the Philippines’ robust growth will continue, moving the country toward the upper-middle income category. We will remain sensitive to opportunities and will continue to invest in talent, automation and processes that will further enhance synergies within the group.

www.ygc.com
www.eei.com.ph
www.rcbc.com
www.rcbcsavings.com
www.mapua.edu.ph
www.malayan.com
www.jpsys.com
www.philippinesjapansociety.com

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