Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) recently inaugurated its manufacturing plant in the Philippines at the Carmelray Industrial Park, Canlubang, Laguna, which also coincided with the official visit of Suzuki Motor Corp.’s chairman and CEO, Osamu Suzuki.
The new manufacturing plant, which stands on a 126,599-sqm land area, started full operation last May—two weeks ahead of schedule. It has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units a year and is expected to support Suzuki’s motorcycle production by 2013. Groundbreaking for this plant was held July 2, 2011, and was also attended by Suzuki.
“With the growing motorcycle market in the Philippines and in the region, we thought it was logical to expand operations in the Philippines so we can better and faster serve our consumers’ needs,” he said.
“The Canlubang plant will enhance local parts procurement and its larger production capacity will also make us ready for the growing motorcycle market as the plant is equipped with better machines and processes,” Suzuki added.
Plans for a new plant came about in 2009, when SPH pushed to increase its sales volume by year 2013. Before the Canlubang plant, Suzuki’s assembly plant was a 6,706-sqm facility located in Pasig City, with maximum production capacity of 8,000 units per month. With the relocation of the manufacturing plant, operations moved to the Canlubang plant except for the Automobile and Motorcycle Sales and Marketing Divisions, which will remain in the Pasig office.
“This new milestone is keeping true to our company’s promise to better the Filipino lives in every aspect, not only with quality vehicles at affordable price, but with provisions of an array of jobs for the people,” SPH president Satoshi Uchida said.