Asahi Glass Philippines Inaugurates Its New Float Glass Plant

In the frontline of this event is no less than Executive Secretary Eduardo R.Ermita who is the event’s Guest of Honor. He will cut the symbolic ribbon which will launch the new float glass plant into full operation. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani F. Fernando are also expected to lead the inaugural activities. Other top-level national and city government officials, media representatives and business industry leaders are also expected to grace the affair.

AGP has been in the glass business for more than four decades. It manufactures and distributes architectural glass products such as float glass, figured glass and mirrors for the construction, automotive and other industries. Other products like coated glass, fire-resistant glass, tempered glass, laminated glass, double glazed glass are likewise available as supported by its worldwide network which includes USA, Belgium, Japan and others.

Most recently, it started the manufacture of solar glass cover, a new high-value added export product used in flat plate solar collectors that convert solar energy to electrical energy.

The company’s new facility is capable of producing an estimate of 520 Metric Tons of float glass products per day and is expected to churn out other high-value added glass products at quality levels that are higher than global standards. With this recent development, plans are already underway to make AGP as one of AGC’s glass export hubs in Asia.

The company is also set to receive an ISO 14001:2004 Certification for compliance to its environmental management system in a program that will follow the ceremonial rites. Related to this, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will also be awarding a Permit to Operate for the company’s flagship project for environmental preservation, the Exhaust Gas Treatment Plant (EGTP). The EGTP is an anti-air pollution device that would significantly reduce pollutants resulting into emissions that are compliant to the Clean Air Act of the Philippines.

Another highlight of this special event is the signing of the Registration Agreement between AGP and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) which appoints the former as the Operator and Developer of the Asahi Special Economic Zone. This emanates from the Presidential Proclamation No. 957 declaring the 28.13 hectare manufacturing complex into a special economic zone. PEZA Director-General Lilia B. De Lima is expected to attend the affair and represent the aforementioned government agency.

The continually changing business landscape has also paved the way for a significant organizational change in the company where current President Mr. Renato R. Ermita will move to the Chairmanship of the AGP Board of Directors. The Presidency will be relinquished to Mr. Emmanuel Y. Go, a seasoned engineer who has been with the company since 1989.

With these developments, AGP continues to ride the wave of the business sector’s growing confidence in the country’s economic takeoff and looks beyond to continually pursue innovations in order to create value not only for the Asahi Group but for the country as well.