New Kinpo Group expands with new Batangas facility

MANILA, Philippines — Leading consumer electronics manufacturer New Kinpo Group (NKG) is expanding operations in the Philippines by setting up a new facility and developing its manufacturing complex in Batangas to make the country its production hub in Southeast Asia.

The group is likewise planning to introduce robot assistants in the country’s airports.

In a statement, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said NKG chief executive officer Simon Shen revealed the expansion plan during a meeting with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo last May 2.

For its expansion plan, NKG intends to establish a new 24,000-square meter facility in Lipa, Batangas.

It will also develop its manufacturing complex in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Sto. Tomas, also in Batangas.

With the expansion, NKG will increase its workforce to 18,000 in two to three years from the current 11,000.

NKG said the expansion would be undertaken to position the Philippines as the group’s hub in Southeast Asia.

To fund the planned expansion, NKG subsidiary Cal-Comp Technology (Philippines) Inc. will embark on an initial public offering this year.

To support NKG’s planned expansion, the DTI, through the Board of Investments has offered to help find additional land.

As NKG is planning to deploy robot assistants in airports, the DTI is also providing assistance by linking the group to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Tourism.

NKG’s robot assistants are expected to serve as guide for passengers by scanning their boarding passes.

“These robots can be a great feature in some of our newer airports. These technologies also help bring public awareness to the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI). As the Philippines has its eyes on being an AI Center of Excellence by 2025, we look forward to seeing more of these and manufacturing them here in the country,” Lopez said.

The DTI is providing support to the group as it has invested and created jobs in the country.