German automotive supplier expands PHL operations, to hire 1,500 Pinoys
German automotive supplier Continental Temic is expanding its operations in the Philippines and is hiring 1,500 Filipinos as permanent employees.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Hanover, Germany-based company said it is expanding the operations of its manufacturing plant in Calamba, Laguna for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) airbag sensors which are fast becoming in demand in the global market.
“I’m especially proud that the company’s Passive Safety & Sensorics Business Unit decided to establish Wheel Speed Sensor manufacturing in Calamba,” Dr. Bernhard Klumpp, Passive Safety & Sensorics Business Unit executive vice president, said in the statement.
“The new projects will create approximately 1,500 new permanent high qualified jobs for operators and skilled engineers in Calamba,” he said.
Continental is one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers for brake and chassis systems and components for power train and instrumentation. The company declared global sales of €33.3 billion last year.
The company also operates second manufacturing plant in Taguig City.
“The two manufacturing plants in Taguig City and Calamba have become instrumental to the company’s global successes,” Klumpp said.
Bilateral trade
Nadine Fund, general manager of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), hailed the developments in Continental’s Philippine operations, saying that the expansion was also due to the efforts of Manila to increase bilateral trade with Germany.
“Continental which is a member of GPCCI, is one of the top German investors in the Philippines and we are very happy with their decision to increase their operations here,” Fund said in the same statement.
She said the expansion in the Philippines was first announced during the recent visit of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo in Continental’s Frankfurt office.
Last year, bilateral trade between the Philippines and Germany reached $4.689 billion or 36.6 percent of the European Union’s total trade with the Philippines 2013.
Reflection of strategy
For his part, Detlev von Ramm, general manager of Continental’s Calamba plant, said the expansion reflects the strategy “to build and strengthen the network and manufacturing operations in Asia where the company intends to make between 20 to 25 percent of its total sales by 2015.”
“The investments confirm the company’s strong commitment to the automotive industry in Asia and thus certifies the growth of business worldwide,” Ramm said.
Lukas Rosulek, general manager of the Continental plant in Taguig said “the Philippines have good resources and people to achieve our mission and commitment towards all stakeholders.”
Continental, which started its Philippine operations in 1974, has invested a total of €197 million in the last four decades and currently employs 1,750 highly skilled employees in the two plants.
German automotive supplier expands PHL operations, to hire 1,500 Pinoys
– Elizabeth Marcelo/VS, GMA News
