Taiwan’s New Kinpo Group to repurpose PHL facilities to produce 1,000 ventilators, 2.5M face masks

Taiwanese global electronics manufacturing conglomerate New Kinpo Group (NKG) is repurposing the facilities of its local subsidiary Cal-Comp Philippines to produce medical-grade face masks and ventilators solely for the Philippine market amid the COVID-19 spread in the country.

NKG CEO Simon Shen told Trade Secretary and Board of Investments (BOI) chair Ramon Lopez and Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo of the Taiwanese firm’s intent during a video conference call arranged by the Manila Economic Cultural Office director and Trade representative in Taipei Michael Alfred Ignacio.

“Mr. Shen informed the trade officials of his conglomerate’s decision to repurpose some of their facilities in Batangas and Laguna to produce 1,000 ventilators and 2.5 million medical-grade face masks every month, in order to provide much needed support for the government’s fight against the pandemic,” the DTI said in a statement Wednesday.

Lopez said NKG’s intent to produce ventilators and face masks 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.

“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,” the Trade chief said.

"I am very pleased to learn of New Kinpo’s very timely decision to shift their high-tech manufacturing capabilities in helping the Philippine health sector effectively address the challenges in combating the COVID-19 threat," he said.

"On behalf of the Philippine government and the entire country, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Simon and the New Kinpo Group for this much needed support and lifeline for our medical front-liners. Thank you for being a shining example among our corporate citizens who have decided to make the Philippines their second home,” he further said.

The monthly production of 2.5 million face masks and 1,000 ventilators in New Kinpo’s Philippine-based facilities are solely intended for the Philippine market, a big portion of which will be donated by the Taiwanese conglomerate to Philippine hospitals and agencies in the frontlines serving in the medical and civic fronts, according to the DTI.

Lopez assured NKG of the DTI and BOI’s full support and dedicated officials to immediately facilitate New Kinpo’s regulatory compliance with all concerned government agencies to enable the quick transition of operations from their traditional businesses to the manufacture of PPEs and medical equipment.

DTI and BOI will also ensure the smooth delivery of raw materials and supplies necessary for the production of these essentials.

Cal-Comp Philippines intends to produce the 2.5 million pieces of medical face masks and to roll-out the first batch of 1,000 ventilators by the end of May.

“The rest of the masks and ventilators will be available to the Philippine market at very reasonable price points, considering that they will be produced locally,” the DTI said.

“In addition to the ventilators and face masks, the group also intends to produce a substantial number of face shields to be used by medical personnel in order to adequately protect them from the virus,” it added.—AOL, GMA News