MANILA, Philippines - Japanese firm SMK Electronics Industries Corp. will open its P800-million expansion project in Clark Freeport zone, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) reported yesterday.
CDC president Benigno N. Ricafort said the expansion program of SMK Industries in Clark will double the current output of electronic products and components when this project becomes fully operational by this year.
According to Ricafort, the expansion of SMK is a testament to the continuing jobs and investments generation in Clark by local and foreign investors.
SMK first opened in Clark in 2001 with 190 employees. With the expansion, it will employ a maximum of 3,500 workers at full capacity.
SMK is a known supplier of touch panels, universal remote controls, IR receivers/blasters with for consumer electronic products like ATM machines, cellphones, copiers, car navigation systems, electronic dictionaries and other applicable products and new generation gadgets.
SMK has been a consistent top exporter in recent years. In 2010, SMK was able to export $67.8 million in its exports volume — a 25-percent increase from the 2009 exports of P40.5 billion or a more than $27.5 million increase last year.
SMK has also embarked on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. It has partnered with Mary Help of Christian in Mabalacat and The Tarlac Training Center of the Don Jose and Demetria Cojuangco Foundation for a student training program which already saw close to 500 students graduating through SMK assistance.
In 2010, in cooperation with the Holy Angel University of Angeles City, SMK has started sending top Engineering graduates to a three-year Technical Training in their SMK factory in Toyama, Japan. It is the only company in Clark Freeport that offers such opportunity to new engineers.