Knauf Gypsum Philippines, a family owned company with strong global presence in the construction materials industry, held the Ground Breaking Ceremony of its manufacturing plant at the Phoenix Petroterminal and Industrial Park, Barangay Lumbang Calzada, Calaca, Batangas on 09 May 2017. This will be the first gypsum board and gypsum-based product manufacturing plant in the country, using the most innovative and sophisticated German equipment and technology.

“The new Knauf Gypsum Manufacturing Plant-Philippines allows local production and will provide the local economy with high-quality building materials. It will also further improve the living and working conditions of the country,” said Mr. Thorsten Gottfried, First Secretary for Cultural Affairs of the German Embassy.

With 220 production facilities and sales organizations in over 60 countries, 26,000 employees worldwide, and sales of 6.27 billion Euros (in 2013), the Knauf Group is one of the biggest players in the gypsum manufacturing market – in Europe, the USA, South America, Russia, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Knauf is a manufacturer of complete lightweight construction systems with its diverse range of products that include plasterboards, mineral fiber tiles, acoustic boards, plasters for internal and external applications, glass and rock mineral wool insulation, and other products and systems designed to provide solutions for fire, water, moisture, impact, acoustics, and aesthetic applications for commercial and residential construction projects.

“Last 2016, the municipality of Calaca was recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry as one of the most business-friendly municipalities in the Philippines. It is in this occasion that we truly feel that we deserve this recognition. Calaca’s strength is not only our location, but it is our people that is our biggest asset,” said Calaca Mayor Sofronio Manuel Ona said in his message.

 Calaca is the home to the lively Calacatchara Festival (a combination of Calaca and atchara or chutney). Atchara or chutney is a famous Philippine dish made from papaya. The urbanization level of Calaca is 9%, while the rural area urbanization is 91%. Although the municipality of Calaca is still rural in character, it has a great prospect for further development.

“The investment of Knauf is really timely because the government is also funding our infrastructure. Under the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program led by DTI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the damaged and nearly-impassable roads leading to industries and trade development areas in every region will soon be addressed,” said DTI CALABARAZON Director Toledo.

In November 29, 2016, the DTI and the DPWH signed a Memorandum of Agreement to create a Convergence Program on road connectivity for industry and trade development. The MOA aims to establish the working arrangement between the DTI and the DPWH to jointly undertake the planning, budgeting, advocacy for legislation, identification, evaluation, prioritization, regulation, supervision, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of industry-developing infrastructure projects in priority economic and manufacturing zones in the Philippines.

“If the company has problems with road expansion to bring products to the market or to the nearest port, you may seek assistance from DTI and DPWH, and we will work closely with the Municipal Mayor to draft and submit proposal. The government is aggressive right now in making the Philippines as investment hub,” Director Toledo added.