Taiwan electronics maker ventures into health care

Taiwan electronics maker ventures into health care

Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star) - April 12, 2020 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The local subsidiary of Taiwanese electronics manufacturer New Kinpo Group (NKG) will produce 1,000 ventilators and 2.5 million medical face masks in the country per month to help combat the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

NKG chief executive officer Simon Shen informed Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo during a recent video conference call about Cal-Comp Philippines's plan to produce medical grade face masks and ventilators solely for the country's use.

Shen said NKG decided to repurpose some of its facilities in Batangas and Laguna to produce the ventilators and medical grade face masks.

NKG intends to roll out the first batch of ventilators by the end of May.

A large part of the output would be for donation to Philippine hospitals and agencies serving in the medical and civic fronts, while the rest will be sold in the market at very reasonable price points.

In addition to the ventilators and face masks, NKG is also planning to produce face shields for medical personnel to protect them from the virus.

NKG subsidiary XYZ Printing manufactures an entire range of 3D printers that can easily produce the frames used for the face shields.

Lopez said the DTI and BOI would work to ensure the smooth delivery of raw materials and supplies to be used for production.

"The DTI has been at the forefront of the government's efforts to convince manufacturers and exporters to repurpose their capacities to produce critical and essential products, which are badly needed to help address the COVID-19 pandemic. This is necessary because the supply of raw materials from the usual suppliers from abroad have become very tight as a result of the same issues brought about by COVID-19," Lopez said.

For his part, Manila Economic and Cultural Office chairman and resident representative Angelito Banayo said NKG is leading the way for other firms with operations in the Philippines.

NKG has made the Philippines its manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.

The group has 18,000 full-time employees manufacturing high-end electronics and smart appliances in the country.

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