The first Polish-Philippine civil engineering investment

• The first Polish-Philippine greenfield investment in the Philippines
• The first Polish-Philippine joint-venture in the civil engineering sector
• Transfer of technology
• The third production plant launched by the Pietrucha Group

 On Tuesday 11 October 2016, in Mariveles, Bataan, the Pietrucha Group together with its local partner Design Science, launched a production plant manufacturing vinyl sheet piling. Pietrucha Maufacturing Philippines is the first Polish-Philippine investment and joint-venture in the civil engineering sector in the Philippines and a unique transfer of technology. The official opening of the plant was attended by members of the Philippine and Polish governments, representatives of regional authorities, public institutions and non-governmental organisations.

 The event celebrating the launch of the plant was attended by HE Joanna Wronecka, the Polish Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, HE Ceferino Rodolfo, Vice-Chairman and Managing Head of the Board of Investments, representatives of the Polish Ministry for Development, Governor of Bataan, the municipan authorities of Mariveles, Balanga and Hermosa, the FAB authorities as well as representatives of business organisations and entrepreneurs from Poland and the Philippines.

„The Pietrucha Group is an international manufacturing, trade and service enterprise operating globally with strong position in the civil engineering sector. Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines is part of our long-term investment strategy which assumes strengthening of our international exposure, especially in regions sensitive to climate changes. The plant was designed to meet the development potential of the Group and will greatly support our supply chain logistics getting us closer to our customers in our core and the most dynamically developing markets” said Jerzy Pietrucha, CEO of the Pietrucha Group.

Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines, is a joint-venture with local partner Design Science Inc., the leading infrastructure engineering company in the Philippines, founded by Mr. Roberto S. Tenchavez in 1981.

 “I would like to thank the Pietrucha Group for all those years of infallible partnership, the courage to set the most ambitious targets and mutual respect. At the moment, with Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines, a pioneering project in the history of the Philippine-Polish business relations, we are entering a new phase of our cooperation. I strongly believe in the tremendous growth potential of our joint-venture. Apart from catering to the booming local construction market, the Bataan plant  will serve as an export base to the ASEAN neighbours.”  said Roberto S. Tenchavez, founder of Design Science Inc.

 A pioneering investment

Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines is the first Polish-Philippine investment in the civil engineering sector in the Philippines, the first Polish-Philippine joint-venture carrying out a greenfield project, as well as one of the few transfers of technology.  The value of investment equaled to USD 2 million.

The plant launched in Mariveles will supply the markets of South East Asia in specialized technical profiles used in the civil engineering sector in  flood prevention and protection projects, as well as in other land and water infrastructure investments. The vinyl sheet piling manufactured in Mariveles are an environmentally friendly, lightweight and extremely durable and advanced alternative to the traditional materials such as steel, concrete or wood. They are used in construction projects more and more broadly because of their excellent parameters and the possibility of lowering investment costs. They are used to reinforce flood protection systems, construct flood walls, protect the banks of various water reservoirs as well as to protect slopes, landslides and various excavation sites.

Strategic location in South East Asia

 The company chose the Philippines because of its strategic and logistically convenient location as well as the great economic potential of the country. The production plant is situated in the Freeport Area of Bataan economic zone.

 The Philippines is located right in the heart of Asia – today the fastest growing region. Sited at the crossroads of the eastern and western business, it is a critical entry point to over 500 million people in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market and a gateway of international shipping and air lanes suited for European and American businesses. The open economy of the Philippines, allows 100% foreign ownership in almost all sectors and supports a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) investment scheme that other Asian countries emulate. Government corporations are being privatized and the banking, insurance, shipping telecommunications, and power industries have been deregulated. Incentive packages include the corporate income tax, reduced to a current 32%, with companies in the Special Economic Zones (ecozones) subject to only 5% overall tax rates. Multinationals looking for regional headquarters are entitled to incentives such as tax exemptions and tax and duty-free importation of specific equipment and materials.

“The Philippines welcome the investment by Pietrucha Group, the first ever industrial project of Poland in the Philippines. We are pleased indeed that such a distinguished player chose ultimately the Philippines after a thorough and long term consideration of various ASEAN markets. This final choice proves that the Philippines is an attractive investment destination, also for the Polish investors looking into the ASEAN region. I hope Pietrucha Group will pave the way for other investors from Poland and there will be more Polish businesses and Polish technologies brought into our country.” said Her Excellency Patricia Ann V. Paez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Poland.

Promotion of Polish economy and international economic cooperation

Pietrucha Manufacturing Philippines may also be perceived as an excellent example of international economic cooperation and a tremendous opportunity to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and multi-beneficial cross-cultural relationships between the Philippines and Poland.

Pietrucha Group

The Pietrucha Group is an efficiently managed, competitive and innovative group of companies with over 55 years’ experience, which specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of top-class geosynthetic products as well as providing a comprehensive range of geotechnical services broadly used in civil engineering. The Group’s offer includes vinyl and composite sheet piling systems and specialized geogrids with non-movable nods. The product range also includes IBS mobile flood-protection systems. Across the world, the Group offers a full range of services to its customers at all stages of an investment project, including technical and design consultancy, through logistics, general contracting and project supervision. The Pietrucha Group delivers products and services to over 3500 customers in 34 countries across 5 continents.

Design Science Inc.

Design Science, Incorporated (DSI) is the leading infrastructure engineering company in the Philippines, founded by Mr. Roberto S. Tenchavez in 1981. DSI offers professional technical services in planning, special studies, civil engineering, architecture, surveying, energy management, power audit and project management. DSI has rich experience in cooperation with the government, its allied agencies and private industries as a solutions and technical provider for various projects, notably, in Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects for toll roads and expressways, among others. Since 1993, DSI has spawned into other successful commercial ventures by establishing corporations in cable television, telecommunications, high-end family restaurant chain and foundation construction.