By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat
Dow Philippines, the local subsidiary of US-based Dow Chemical Co., expects continued robust growth this year on strong demand from the construction sector.
Bobby Batungbacal, country manager of Dow Philippines, said they experienced big increases in sales from 2017-2018 due to the growing domestic demand for packaging, consumer products, appliance and construction.
“We expect the growth to continue as well as challenges this year,” said Batungbacal without divulging any amount or growth percentage.
Infrastructure is a significant driver for a wide range of construction materials, he said.
In addition, private construction continues to provide growth opportunities for its products as demand for food, household and personal care products steadily increase due to the large consumer market. Dow operates a latex emulsion facility in Las Piñas City for the local market.
“The Philippines is one of the fastest growing markets for the Dow group in the Asia Pacific,” said Batungbacal.
Recently, Dow opened a new office in Alabang to provide more sales and customer service capabilities for its growing customer base in the country.
The relocation is to support rapid growth of the company and customers by moving the office closer to customers’ manufacturing sites following the trend of more industrial operations moving out of Metropolitan Manila.
“The new Dow is putting customers at the center of what we do. Moving closer to customers will enable us to explore their needs and enhance our collaboration to succeed,’’ said Batungbacal.
“Alabang is the perfect location. It is cited as one of the most competitive cities in the country and also known for its green and sustainable environment.
I hope our ambitions for sustainability will complement each other for the better of the people in the city and the business.”
Not only is the new office located closer to its customers, it is also closer to where the majority of its employees live, thus offering shorter commute time and better work-life balance.
Dow started operations in Manila 55 years ago in 1964 and has expanded the business across the country since then. The Philippines is one of Dow’s fastest growing locations in the Asia Pacific.
Dow combines science and technology knowledge to develop premier materials science solutions that are essential to human progress.
For more than 120 years, Dow has strived to create value through its diversified, market-driven portfolio of specialty chemicals, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses.
Its website states, Dow is committed to advancing science and innovation in response to the world’s most pressing challenges – enhancing the quality of life for current and future generations, while creating long-term sustainable value for the Company, its customers and its shareholders.
Dow delivers differentiated solutions that address these challenges and unmet market needs by leveraging cost advantage, scale and geographic presence, customer collaboration and industry-leading R&D expertise.