By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata
MANILA, April 8 (PNA) — “We believe that we should always be one step ahead our competitors,” noted Derrick Villanueva, general manager, Crown Asia Chemicals Corp.’s Pipe Division during the IPO investors briefing held recently in Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas.
He said the company keeps on taking the next level by reinvesting in new machines, investing in research and development and by outsourcing new materials.
The management also said that it was the first international manufacturer of HDPE (high density polyethylene) pipes. These pipes are chemical resistant and feature thermal properties.
Meanwhile, Crown also boasts its PPR pipes. “The advantage of PPR pipe is that you can use it for both hot and cold water, and it does not corrode, unlike GI pipes which corrode overtime,” Eugene Lee Villanueva, Crown president, told PNA.
Q1 revenue increase
For the first quarter of 2015, Lee Villanueva said the company gained 10-15 percent increase in revenue compared with the same period last year. Also, from about Php 802 million revenue in 2013, it rose to Php 850 million in 2014. Lee Villanueva attributed the hike to the good economic activity. “Actually, our target is just 8-10 percent,” he said.
Asked why the public should invest in Crown, Lee Villanueva cited to look at Crown’s performance for the last 25 years. “We believe that we have always led good governance, good returns and equity to our investors,” he said.
Lee Villanueva also said, “One thing is for sure, we are a manufacturing company, so we are not a company who doesn’t have assets or can be fly-by-night.”
According to him, they have a very professional working force. “We deal with our clients with integrity,” he emphasized, and added that they always stay true to their commitment, consistently providing quality products to their customers.
Like any company, Crown also faces challenges. Lee Villanueva told PNA that these include imported items that do not conform with specifications and are smuggled in the country.
To address the issue, he said that the company works with big developers who do not compromise quality. (PNA)