AFFI SET FOR 2014 FRANCHISE EXPO

The Association of Filipino Franchisers Incorporated (AFFI) is all set to hold their annual Filipino Franchise Show.

This year, AFFI has invited franchisers from all over the ASEAN region to participate in the show as part of efforts to prepare for the ASEAN integration slated for 2015.  Ricardo Cuna owner of the Fiorgelato ice cream franchise and head of this year’s show committee says “This year we are inviting franchisers from all over ASEAN to showcase their homegrown concepts to explore the possible synergies between local and regional franchise brands.” Franchising is one of the industries set to be opened up as part of the integration and is expected to lead to an influx of foreign franchise brands in the country.

He adds that the franchising industry is expected to continue posting double digit growth and is expected to see the entry of more new players. “We are seeing more and more emerging concepts and startup businesses joining the show which shows that the industry is still and will likely continue to grow” says Cuna. AFFI is one of the largest industry bodies in the Philippine franchise industry and counts among its members local brands such as Aquabest, Binalot, Figaro, Lots' A Pizza, Sweet Corner, among others.

The show is considered one of the biggest events in the Philippine franchise industry and attracts thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs who come and see hundreds of the country's top franchise brands.  Apart from an impressive roster of participating franchise brands the show also features companies from allied industries and suppliers.  Among the major sponsors for this year’s show are BPI Family Ka Negosyo , Seaoil Philippines, St. Francis Generic Drug, and The Generics Pharmacy.

AFFI is also set to recognize the outstanding franchise companies and franchisees with their annual AFFI Enabler Awards and Galing ng Pinoy Franchise Excellence Awards. The show would also feature seminars and workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and franchisers from AFFI members as well as BPI Family Ka Negosyo and the Intellectual Property Office.

Supporting AFFI in its advocacy to showcase the very best of Filipino franchise concepts are its sponsors and partners St. Francis Generic Drug, Globe My Business,  Farmacia ni Dok, Geepas Philippines, 2Go Express, Revelnet, My Basic Graphics, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business World, Business Mirror, Entrepreneur Philippines, United Daily News, Carl Balita Radyo Negosyo, United Neon, Meralco, Go Negosyo, IPO, DTI BSMED, and TESDA.

              

The 2014 Filipino Franchise Show will be held from October 3 to 5 at the World Trade Center. For inquiries please contact the AFFI Secretariat at (+632) 654 0345, 09228149881 to 82 or email affifranchiseshow2014@gmail.com or one can contact PETCO at (632) 832-9303 to 05 or email secretariat@petcogroup.com.

PHILCAMSAT Receives Belgian Maritime Recognition

The Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT) has received the distinction of being the first maritime training center in all of Asia to be recognized by the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate as its courses receive certification from the Directorate-General for Maritime Transport under the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport agency of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Also granted certification was the Mapua-PTC College of Maritime Training and Education (CMET), an industry academic-linkage between leading crew management company Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) and the Malayan Colleges Laguna of the Mapua Institute of Technology.

Issued in Antwerp, Belgium by Naval Architect-Director Bart Heylbroeck, the certification verifies that the content, method of instruction and the evaluation employed by PHILCAMSAT and CMET in their training courses are in accordance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) code. With this development, PHILCAMSAT trainees and graduates of CMET are assured that their training is compliant with international standards and is duly recognized by European-flagged ships, thereby helping secure their employment on board these vessels.

This achievement is another testament to PHILCAMSAT’s strength in and commitment to providing seafarers with world-class competency training through its simulator-based center in First Maritime Place, Makati and its basic safety training campus in Maragondon called The MAST, as well as, through its collaboration with CMET for basic education. Instrumental in PHILCAMSAT’s attainment of this distinction is Exmar Shipmanagement, represented by Capt. Marc Robert, LPG Unit Director, who shares PHILCAMSAT’s belief in the capability and skill of the Filipino seafarer enhanced through opportunities for continuing professional development.

A total of 10 training courses passed the certification audit and these include: Advanced Firefighting Training (A-VI/3), Basic Safety Training (A-VI/1), Medical First Aid Training (A-VI/4-1), Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats Training (A-VI/2-1), Trainings for Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch on ships of 500 Gross Tonnage or More (A-II/4), Trainings for Masters and Chief Mates on Ships of 500 Gross Tonnage or More (A-II/2), Training for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch on Ships of 500 Gross Tonnage or More (A-II/1), Training for Chief Engineer Officers and Second Engineer Officers on Ships Powered by Mail Propulsion Machinery of 300kW or More (A-III/2), Training for Officers In Charge of an Engineering Watch in Manned Engine Room or as Designated in a Periodically Unmanned Engine Room (A-III/1), and Training for Ratings Forming Part of a Watch in a Manned Engine Room or as Designated to Perform Duties in a Periodically Unmanned Engine Room (A-III/4). 

Photo shows (from L-R) Marc Robert, LPG Unit Director of Exmar; Bart Heylbroeck, Naval Architect Director of the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate-Flagstate; Katherine Avelino, PHILCAMSAT General Manager and Executive Director for Education and Professional Development; and Claude Maerten LNG Director of Exmar.

PTC CEO Re-elected as Vice-Chairman of ICS

PTC Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gerardo A. Borromeo was re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) during its Annual General Membership Meeting held last June 11, 2014 at Limassol, Cyprus.

With his re-election, Mr. Borromeo will continue his term until 2015 supporting re-elected ICS Chairman Masamichi Morooka, along with three other Vice Chairmen namely John C. Lyras of Greece, Karin Orsel of Netherlands and Esben Poulsson of Singapore.

The meeting which was hosted by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber on its 25^th anniversary year had ICS representatives from national shipowners’ associations from the Americas, Asia and Europe who carefully reviewed the many significant regulatory developments affecting shipping with respect to safety, environmental protection and employment affairs, as well as various legal, insurance and trade policy developments.

The International Chamber of Shipping is the principal international trade association for shipowners, with member national associations from 36 countries representing all sectors and trades of over 80% of the world merchant fleet.

Thomas Kazakos, CSC Director General; Peter Hinchliffe, ICS Secretary General; Karin Orsel,   ICS Vice Chairman; Eugen Adami, CSC President; Masamichi Morooka, ICS Chairman; Dirk Fry, CSC Board member; John C. Lyras, ICS Vice Chairman; and Gerardo Borromeo, ICS Vice Chairman.

CROWDS FLOCK TO CORPORATE GIVEAWAYS 2014

The overcast weather was not a deterrent for the thousands of Marketing, Advertising and Purchasing professionals that trooped to the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City for the three-day Corporate Giveaways 2014 Buyer’s Show which opened on July 9 and concluded on July 11, 2014.
 

The annual event, now on its 27^th year, was a big success and has proven once again that the Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show is the premier source for business gifts, premiums, promotional items and merchandise incentives.

With over 100 participating exhibitors, companies scouting for giveaways enjoyed the huge variety of items which included mobile gadgets, leather goods, sports accessories, garments, umbrellas, desk top accessories, bags and luggage, food & beverage gifts, and many others.

 “It’s the perfect venue to find and order business gifts.” said Elena Reyes, a regular visitor to the annual buyers’ show.  “As a Marketing Executive, one of my tasks to look for items that can serve as our company’s giveaways to clients and partners. I make it a point to visit the show every year because I’m sure to have a large array of gift ideas to choose from every time.” Reyes said.

Raquel Romero, President & General Manager of World Expos & Concepts, the organizer of the Corporate Giveaways Buyers’ Show shared that the event has grown with over 100 companies participating as exhibitors taking up more than 130 booths.

“We are happy that Corporate Giveaways continues to be recognized by suppliers as the show that helps them reach their target market. This year, we had 30 companies exhibiting for the first time. It’s a sign that the industry and the economy in general is doing well.”

Chito Belmonte, owner of Blue Silver & Black Marketing disclosed that he was able to get good leads when he joined the buyer’s show two years ago.

“I’ve been joining this show for the past two years and I must say, Corporate Giveaways opened a lot of doors for us. This is where we were able to reach a lot of big companies who I am proud to say are now our clients.” Belmonte revealed.

Another exhibitor, Rico Publico, Sales Manager of Cristanelle International said they have been participating for 16 years.

“Corporate Giveaways serves as a great way for us to keep in touch with our regular clients and meet new ones. We make it a point to have new items and designs in our booth every year for customers to choose from.” Publico said.

Corporate Giveaways is a one stop shop designed to help companies prepare for holiday and year-round gift giving needs. It is held every July which benefits Purchasing, Marketing, Advertising and PR professionals, business owners, event managers and wedding planners.

Sample corporate giveaways:

 

BEET PHILIPPINES TO PRODUCE 500 UNITS OF ELECTRONIC VEHICLES BEFORE YEAR ENDS

Electric Vehicles (EVs) may be the future in the Philippines, but in modern cities around the world, they are already a reality and an integral part of mainstream transport. During an EV Summit earlier this year, the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (eVAP) projected that there would be at least a million EVs in Philippine roads by 2020. 

One company had been silently working for the last two years to make all these plans feasible and taking concrete steps to make reliable EVs available in the Philippines. BEET Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of BEMAC-Uzushio Electric Company of Japan, who holds the number one share for marine electric equipment of large ship construction undertaking more than 5,000 vessels worldwide. With headquarters in Imabari City, Japan and employing more than 1,500 employees, BEMAC-Uzushio Electric has partnered with Almazora Motors Corporation (AMC) to bring to the Philippine market a well-designed and technologically advanced EV. BEMAC’s commitment to safety and excellent after-sales support program, together with AMC’s more than 100 years of experience in bringing quality crafted automotive body and parts, guarantee EVs that will bring pride to the Philippine EV manufacturing sector.  

Last week, BEMAC Group President and CEO Masato Oda visited Manila and met officials of Department of Energy (DOE) including Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Usec. Adrian S. Cristobal who is also the Managing Head of Board of Investments (BOI) to introduce BEMAC’s first three-wheeled EV. This is to prove that BEMAC is now ready for mass production and not just prototyping. BEMAC’s commitment to productivity will breathe new life into Philippine EV industry, improve driver lifestyles and more importantly, contribute to environmental conservation.

          “Before the year ends, our plant in Carmona (Cavite) would be producing 500 units a month. This is just half of its maximum production capacity of 1,000 units per month,” added Yvonne Palomar-Castro, BEET AVP for Sales, Marketing and Operations, in an earlier interview. “We are serious and passionate about EVs. We have partnered with one of the best electric motor companies in the world and the best lithium ion battery supplier. We want to make sure that our products are well suited to Philippine road conditions, from the heat of summer to the floods of the rainy season,” Ms. Castro added.

What sets BEMAC apart from the other EV manufacturers in the country is that BEMAC has been conducting Research & Development on EVs for the last 16 years. In 2003, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) awarded BEMAC-Uzushio certification to manufacture EV’s making them Gifu City 1^st automotive manufacturer.

“Our unit is now LTO compliant and can be registered and insured. I am confident that, right now, we are most capable of mass producing EVs in the Philippines. We are ready, and we are here for the long run,” Mr. Oda Ended.

                                             BEMAC e-trike