Keep on truckin'

What do we know about trucks? They’re big, they’re used to haul cargo, and they’re not exactly slow when they pick up speed. Cumbersome only because of their size, trucks are the workhorses of the road. They carry all the stuff that, in one way or another, we use in our daily lives. Unless one is a truck driver or owns a trucking business, however, it would seem that the last meaningful contact many have had with a truck was with Tonkas and Matchboxes.

But you don’t have to be hands-on with these machines to understand the huge effect trucks have on the economy. Aside from delivering and transporting an assortment of things we use every day, the trucking industry also creates opportunities for others — ensuring employment for assembly line workers, truck body builders, various parts suppliers, and even truck-manufacturing supervisors.

A recent visit to the world-class manufacturing of Isuzu at the Laguna Technopark in Binan, Laguna, shed light on what seems to be an industry that only contributes to the economic fortitude of the country. Having gained a more comprehensive view of truck building and the industry that it creates, my understanding of trucks is now more than just “those big clunky things that I don’t want to get close to in a traffic jam.”

It is only fitting that the Isuzu Philippines Corporation highlight their trucks, as the N-Series, which has been the Philippines’ best-selling light-duty commercial truck since 1999, is currently holding a record run of 13 years straight. In 2011, the N-Series captured a 69.4 percent share of the country’s Light-Duty Truck segment as the model sold 1,196 units, according to figures released by the Truck Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. Last year’s total is higher than the 1,030 units sold in 2010, with the N-Series taking a 67.1 percent share of its segment that year.

Get the ladies in on it: The truck industry isn’t as male-dominated as one may think.

“We at Isuzu Philippines Corporation cannot stress enough how important the role that trucks play in many businesses, and so these vehicles must be reliable, durable and of high quality—things that cannot be offered by used, imported trucks,” says IPC president Ryoji Yamazaki. “By showing our manufacturing processes that create Isuzu trucks, we assure customers that they get only the very best vehicles to serve their businesses.”

The N-Series is highlighted for its multi-purpose applications: first the NHR and NKR narrow cab models which can be configured as refrigerated vans, cargo vans, flexi-trucks, school service vans, ambulances, drop-side trucks or multipurpose vehicles; and the NPR and NQR wide-cab models which are usable as fire trucks, drop-side trucks with power lifter, bottle carriers, or a minibus.

Concern for the environment is definitely addressed by IPC, with these models being powered by two types of Euro II-compliant turbo-charged direct injection diesel engines, which release less harmful emissions. The plant itself, having recently been granted ISO certification 14001: 2004, implements environmental management practices in its manufacturing operations. IPC boasts of wastewater management as the company treats all processed water so this complies with governmental regulations before releasing this to public sewage; chemical storage management as it maintains a separate storage area for chemicals to prevent contamination, keeping the toxic materials away from products and employees; and solid waste management as it ensures that only the companies or organizations that comply with environmental regulations are contracted to perform solid or hazardous waste disposal.

World-class facilities ensure the construction of world-class vehicles.

But perhaps the best thing about the plant is that it generates a fully-Filipino- assembled vehicle that we can truly be proud of. Not only is this a showcase of our people’s talent and skill, but also a testament to the Filipino worker’s high standard of work and craftsmanship. That’s the kind of pride that fosters a true sense of nation building.

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For more information about plant tours and for their products, visit www.isuzuphil.com

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E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@gmail.com.