The EPPI manufacturing plant showcases Epson’s global standards in green and environmentally sound processes. The plant produced around 4.5 million printers and 1 million projectors in 2012, and distributed them to 24 countries. A number of Epson’s new projectors and their L-series genuine ink tank system printers are manufactured at this plant. The plant currently employs 10,000 people.
“Seiko-Epson Corporation (SEC) formally announced the PHP 4.5 billion expansion of our manufacturing plant in March 2010. We inaugurated Factory II in December 2011, and since then, we have significantly increased Epson’s manufacturing capacity by 150% for 3LCD projectors and 50% for inkjet printers,” EPPI President Kazuyuki Amano said.
“Through this event, we are proud to show the harmonious partnership of Japanese precision engineering and Filipino ingenuity and craftsmanship that resulted in world-class products like the new Epson L-Series genuine ink tank system printers and entry-level projectors. Also, we have been dedicated to the cause of environmental protection by following environment-friendly procedures & policies, nondetrimental manufacturing and developmental processes, and collaborative co-existence between business and the global environment,” Epson Philippines Corporation (EPC) President/Country Manager Toshimitsu Tanaka said. Epson’s commitment to the environment has been company policy for many years. In the 1940s, Epson made a thorough processing of the wastewater of Lake Suwa, near one of their manufacturing plants. In 1988, Epson announced that it would remove chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from its products, with full elimination of CFCs coming in 1993. Epson introduced a specific Epson Environmental Policy in 1994, and revised it in 1999 to enhance its conservation efforts from product development to recycling.
Epson’s environmental policy states that Epson will integrate environmental considerations into its corporate activities and actively strive to meet the highest conservation standards in fulfilling its responsibilities as a good corporate citizen. Epson has conducted many eco-friendly programs in all the countries where it operates.
In the Philippines, EPC and EPPI have introduced the Inkjet cartridge recycling program, and the investment in the expanded manufacturing plant has also helped it keep pace with the global standards in productivity, precision, and environmental protection. Under the Epson CARES project, EPPI has donated recyclable canteen waste to support persons with disabilities at Tahanang Walang Hagdan, participated in the repair and maintenance of schools in communities through Brigada Eskwela, donated books to support the education of young children, planted and nurtured trees, participated in coastal cleanup and have also participated in relief operations in disaster-hit areas.
The EPPI has won quite a few awards in its time here in the Philippines. The EPPI has been awarded the Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards, including one Citation Award (December 2007) and two Outstanding Awards and Outstanding Energy Manager Awards (December 2008 and December 2009). The Pollution Control Association of the Philippines (PCAPI) has awarded two EPPI employees the Outstanding Pollution Control Officer (PCO) award: Joyce Tan (April 2008, April 2009) and Ad Ryan llagan (April 201 0). EPPI has also won the Outstanding Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Performer Award (April 2008, March 2011 ); the PCAPI Success Story Award (April 2009, April 201 0); the SEC Environment Excellence Award (May 2008, May 2009, June 2011 ); and the TWH Handog sa Kalikasan Award (December 2009). EPPI has also placed first runnerup in the PCAPI Mother Nature Award (April 2009, April 2011 ).
First published in Gadgets Magazine, April 2013
Words by Jose Alvarez