Mandaue City has always been proud of its craftsmanship. One of the most notable sectors where this shines is furniture manufacturing, which in the past, accounted for a significant portion of the country’s furniture exports.
Mark Anthony Ynoc, President of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), explained that the Mandaue Industrial Tour is part of the Mandaue Business Month 2024 activities.
“In Mandaue City, we don’t have many tourist spots. That’s why we came up with the industrial tour to showcase the icons, and international brands and multinational companies that are present here,” explains President Ynoc.
He added Mandaue City had once been known as having accounted for 75 percent of the country’s furniture exports. “Some of the remnants are still here and you can see that the products have been made here. It’s also a source of pride for us to have this type of companies among our members.”
MCCI Immediate Past President Kelie Ko, who chairs the MCCI Industrial Plant Tour, said the activity intends to focus on the strength of the Mandaue City business sector.
The industrial tour also aims to reduce reliance on external suppliers by connecting local businesses. “We’re trying to reduce our member companies’ need to source materials externally,” Ko said, highlighting how the event helped some attendees realize the potential of local partnerships.
“I think part of our mandate as a chamber is to promote networking as well. I was encouraged to hear some members saying, ‘Oh, I didn’t realize I could buy my raw materials from this company.’ That’s really what we’re trying to do,” he added.
The four companies participating in the plant tour are Dedon Manufacturing Inc., Uratex, iPak, and International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI).
Founded in 1990 by Bobby Dekeyer, Dedon has revolutionized the outdoor furniture industry through its innovative approach and high-quality craftsmanship. Designed by European and American designers, the company’s products are built according to German durability standards and hand-crafted by Filipino weavers. The Mandaue City facility is Dedon’s only manufacturing plant in the world.
Uratex, the leading manufacturer of foam products in the Philippines, is known for its high-quality mattresses, pillows, and industrial foams. Robert G. Cheng established a modest foam business in 1968, expanding into a diversified enterprise offering sleep, furniture, and automotive solutions. It has since become synonymous with comfort and durability, maintaining a prominent position in local and international markets.
A division of Treasure Island Industrial Corporation, iPak focuses on the production and customization of packaging solutions. It specializes in high-quality metal containers, tin cans, styrofoam boxes, and shrinkable plastic seal caps and labels. It provides durable and reliable packaging options that meet the needs of manufacturers and distributors across different sectors. Committed to quality and innovation. iPak established itself as a key player in the packaging industry.
IPI is one of the country’s largest and most established pharmaceutical companies. Founded in 1959, the Cebu-based company specializes in pharmaceutical and health products, including over-the-counter medicines, personal care items, food supplements, and household products. It has grown into a trusted household name locally and internationally. The company continues to innovate and expand product offerings to meet evolving consumer needs.
The chamber had listed 12 companies as icons that could participate in the industrial tour. Four firms agreed to be included in the first industrial tour.
“It’s not just about networking,” Ko emphasized. “This is also an educational activity for smaller companies. They see how bigger companies run their production facilities and how they’ve expanded, showing how others might grow (their businesses).”
One key takeaway from the tour is the opportunity it provides for educational institutions. Many companies are eager to partner with universities to create career pathways for students.
“It (the tour) gives universities a glimpse of what the industry is like inspiring students to pursue careers in manufacturing,” Ynoc said. Some of the owners said this is quite a good program and if it’s possible to be included in the curriculum and practice standards of employability, even donating some facilities.
While global trends focus on AI and digital transformation, Ko emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening the manufacturing sector. “We have to realize that our food has to be produced, and the products we use daily, like what we use in the shower or our homes, these have to be manufactured and some of them are manufactured here in Mandaue.”