Pag-asa Steel Works marks 50th year by tripling production capacity
The Philippines' pioneering steel bar manufacturer is in a celebratory mood. Hurdling 50 challenging years and several market crises, Pag-asa Steel Works is one of the few surviving steel businesses that have made a mark in the country after the second world war. Grounded on the values of high quality, dependable service and competitiveness, Pag-asa Steel continues to advance as it scales up its production to triple its capacity.
The Philippines' pioneering steel bar manufacturer is in a celebratory mood. Hurdling 50 challenging years and several market crises, Pag-asa Steel Works is one of the few surviving steel businesses that have made a mark in the country after the second world war. Grounded on the values of high quality, dependable service and competitiveness, Pag-asa Steel continues to advance as it scales up its production to triple its capacity.
"We became a trusted partner in an industry where 80 per cent of sales depends on repeat business because of our commitment to quality, reliability and competitive prices," says Gabriel Tong, general manager.
Pag-asa Steel started from humble beginnings when founder Francisco Tong, a veteran practitioner in the industry, gained the trust of investors and financial institutions to back his business venture in 1964. The company has since grown and participated in some of the country's largest construction projects.
As one of only two manufacturers prequalified by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the 1970s, Pag-asa Steel was involved in building the first nuclear power plant in the Philippines. As the company has worked with top developers in the country, Pag-asa Steel's reinforcing steel bars can be seen in major civil works, shopping malls and leading commercial and residential buildings.
"One can only go the distance if one consistently does what is right," Tong says. "We have anchored our business in our biggest asset - our reputation. Clients who sign a contract with us know that our signature means they can rely on us. We are not going to renege for any reason."
Supporting the construction boom that is sweeping the local infrastructure and development scene, Pag-asa Steel built an expanded and modernised production site. The new plant can produce 800,000 metric tonnes of steel bars annually. With the added capacity and increased efficiency, Pag-asa Steel can better address growing demand amid global competition.
