Adding value to smart infrastructures

MANILA, Philippines — Smart infrastructures that are innovative and environment-friendly are increasingly gaining significance with the global mandate from governments and developers to build based on the principles of sustainability.

International Elevator & Equipment Inc. (IEE), a group company of Mitsubishi Electric, heeds the call to add value in infrastructure development by harnessing world-class technology to create innovative engineering solutions, and provide high-quality installation and after-sales service.

“We make it a priority to always differentiate and work for the better, according to the changing needs of clients, to improve lives and working conditions,” said Itsuo Arakawa, executive vice president of IEE, in charge of the company’s elevator and escalator business and factory automation business.

“Relevant building equipment, installation, and maintenance are the three components that reflect our mantra, ‘Changes for the Better,’” noted Arakawa.

IEE has been introducing elevator, escalator and air-conditioning innovations to the Philippines since it was born out of a joint venture with Mitsubishi Electric of Japan in 1969. Among them were the high-speed elevators running at 210 meters per minute (mpm) in 1970, air-conditioning and refrigeration products in 1978, talking elevators in 1982, 240-mpm elevators in 1984, computerized elevators in 1985, diesel generators in 1993, variable refrigerant flow ACs as well as double-deck and inclined elevators in 1996, elevator modernization and jet towels in 2005, ventilators in 2012, factory automation in 2015, and chillers in 2017.

“Our objective is to add value by giving comfort and enhancing the productivity of people through safe and dependable technology,” explained Melecio Vicencio, vice president of IEE, who handles the air-conditioning business, generator business, and other company departments.

Product innovation

Safety and energy-efficiency guides Mitsubishi Electric’s focus on innovation, which is at the core of the company’s philosophy to provide better products.

The sensors in its automated elevators, for example, can stop on the nearest floor and open the door when an earthquake occurs, according to Arakawa.

For its air conditioners, the company offers different models of split-type packaged ACs applicable to residential houses and commercial establishments, a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system for BPO buildings, water chillers for malls, hotels and other large-space air-conditioning requirements.

Mitsubishi Electric has innovated its split-type ACs by making the big and bulky models of the past small, compact, slim and lightweight. It also improved its features, allowing for ease of installation and less maintenance.

Designed and manufactured to the highest standards, Mitsubishi Electric air conditioners are being used in modern buildings and cater to the market’s demand for energy efficiency, adaptability and reliability. With the release of its Super High COP range of air conditioners, Mitsubishi Electric took a step forward to comply with today’s energy and environmental design needs.

IEE’s other building equipment include high- and medium-capacity, heavy-duty Mitsubishi generators that provide backup power, which are very reliable as they are made with engines that also power marine vessels; factory automation products such as controllers and industrial robots; car and door access control systems for security; ventilators to complement ACs; and jet towel hand dryers.

One-stop service

Meticulous attention to detail is what defines IEE’s brand of service and this was formed out of 49 years of passing on technical knowhow from Japanese experts to Filipino engineering, maintenance and installation staff.

“If we don’t maintain the machine, after five or 10 years, it will not function well,” said Arakawa. “So we take a proactive approach. We render preventive maintenance service every month to anticipate breakdown.”

As a one-stop service provider, the company handles the installation and maintenance of machines. There are over 100 Mitsubishi Electric elevators worldwide that are almost 50 years old but still running. In the Philippines, IEE maintains more than 6,000 elevators and escalators. Its engineers and technicians are also sought-after abroad for installation work. The same standard for quality applies to AC installation and maintenance.

Expanding market share

The company is poised to expand its market share in the coming years. At present, a big part of the company’s revenues come from elevator, escalator, AC, and gen-set sales.

With rosy prospects for economic progress in the country in the next five to 10 years, Arakawa sees steady growth in the construction and engineering businesses.

The construction of the Manila-Clark railway will also open up business opportunities in the towns along the route as the commuter and freight train service will spur development in these areas.

The expansion of Clark City itself in Pampanga may replicate the success of IEE-Mitsubishi Electric in Bonifacio Global City, where the company is already maintaining more than 700 elevators. The growth of BGC continues 20 years after the business district was established and Arakawa expressed optimism that Clark City will similarly develop and spur long-term growth in the construction and engineering sectors, which could be more than five times that of BGC.

On the other hand, Vicencio sees a sustained demand for ACs and gen-sets with the onset of projects like residential buildings, resto/malls, office and BPO buildings, along with the other opportunities presented by economic progress.

The challenge of providing relevant, high-quality, and safe products and services remains. But IEE-Mitsubishi Electric is continuously committed to supplying the requirements of higher industry demands and adapting to changing market needs for sustainable development.