NEWS
Mariwasa recognized for commitment to quality management
November 5, 2022 9:20 a.m.
Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (MSCI), recently received recognition for Mastery in Quality Management Level 3 from the Philippine Quality Award (PQA). It is a national award program organized by the Department of Trade and Industry that recognizes the achievements of the public and private sectors in their journey toward performance excellence.
“The COVID-19 crisis may have been a challenge for all, but despite this, the year 2021 was another breakthrough year for DTI’s Competitiveness Bureau,” said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba during the virtual conferment 24th Assessment Cycle ceremony aired on Facebook.
The PQA hit a record high with 14 applicant organizations in the 2021 Assessment Cycle. Among the organizations that applied for the PQA is Mariwasa. The brand received Recognition for Mastery in Quality Management Level 3 because of its unwavering mission to provide quality products and services to consumers. Mariwasa is the only organization from the private sector that accepted the challenge of a very rigorous process of the Assessment Cycle.
“This has been a testament of our company that delivers the best quality tiles through innovation and professionalism. We will continue to strive to be the market leader in the ceramic industry,” said Jakkrit Suwansilp, Mariwasa President and SCG Country Director for the Philippines.
Mariwasa continues to pride itself on being the first and only local ceramic tile manufacturer to receive such a prestigious award. The 24th PQA isn’t the only time Mariwasa received the prestigious award as the company also earned recognition back in 2011 for its commitment to quality management. Mariwasa’s motto, “Uncompromising Quality,” speaks volumes of its vision that prioritizes customer satisfaction and operations excellence.
It is also known for utilizing the latest and most effective technology in manufacturing ceramic tiles. Mariwasa also employs highly competent personnel to ensure product quality through the continuous product research and development, and training and development of its personnel.
ABOUT MARIWASA
It was in March 1966 when Mariwasa Manufacturing, Inc. was founded by brothers Emerson and Edison Co Seteng. The company was founded on a vision of producing ceramic products that would meet world standards for beauty and durability. Without missing a beat, Mariwasa pioneered the manufacturing process of vitrified floor tiles, big size wall tiles, and third-fired ceramic tiles. Only by harnessing the skills, discipline, and creativity of the Filipino artisans does the company hope to achieve its goal.
After three decades in the industry, the Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, Inc. (MSCI) is the result of a merger between two large companies in the Philippines and Thailand, namely Mariwasa Manufacturing, Inc. (MMI) and Siam Cement Group (SCG). The company is poised to cater to the growing demands of customers from both the domestic and international markets.
It also utilizes state-of-the-art technology in manufacturing processes ceramic tiles. The company employs highly competent personnel to ensure product quality through continuous product research and development, and training and development of its personnel. Foreign experts are even tapped to assist both in the research and development and operation, showing Mariwasa’s edge in the development of highly competitive products in the market.
Piyarat Promtong, the Vice President for Manufacturing of Mariwasa, believes that part of the company’s success comes from the Filipino employees who are very passionate about their jobs, thus securing the company’s position in the market of providing quality products to consumers.
“I like the way we educate our people. It is as part of our training to always go for the new trend and adapt it in the tiles itself. That’s why I can always offer something new to the customer,” said Emilie Maramag, Vice President for Finance and Admin of Mariwasa.
With its new conferment from the PQA, Mariwasa remains the leading ceramic tile manufacturer in the Philippines that’s recognized by several organizations for its adherence to sustainability, creativity, and overall commitment to quality service. However, the brand’s bid for excellence is far from over as it now delved into the Decorative Surfaces and Bathroom Solutions (DSBS) industry as a provider. It also shifted its vision and is on the way to becoming the leading brand for DSBS aside from being a renowned tile manufacturer.
NEWS
SM Prime explores potential partnership with Japanese firm for waste-to-fuel solutions
September 25, 2023 12:39 p.m.
Shown here are (from left) SM Supermalls Vice President Liza Silerio, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, GUUN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda, GUUN Philippine Branch Senior Managing Director and General Manager Takeshi Konishi
Leading real estate developer in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s GUUN Co. Ltd. to explore a potential partnership to implement waste management solutions by recycling waste paper and plastics as an alternative source of energy called ‘fluff fuel’.
Fluff Fuels are one type of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) which are produced from shredded and compressed plastics, papers, and fibers. These are used as fuels in cement manufacturing, paper mill companies, or power companies in Japan.
SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy is positive that a partnership with GUUN will contribute to the waste reduction goals of the country. “Today, Japan’s waste management and recycling technology is among the most advanced in the world,” he said. “There is no better partner for SM because we do not just talk about being big, we make sure we do it; we do not talk about being environment friendly but we do take bold steps to save the environment. I am looking forward to growing with GUUN as among leaders in solving environmental issues in the Philippines.”
GUUN Co., Ltd., founded in March 2001 and headquartered in Yokohama City, Japan, piloted the production of fluff fuel from plastic waste in Inayawan, Cebu in 2014 and recently inaugurated its P200-million, 2,400-square meter waste recycling plant in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.
Since then, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has adopted GUUN’s waste-to-fuel technology as a model for advanced low-carbon technology innovation for further deployment in developing countries.
“This will be a milestone partnership for us,” GUNN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda said after the signing ceremony. “I understand very much how important waste management is for SM and for the Philippines and we look forward to more projects we can do with the properties of SM Prime.”
SM Prime’s initiatives for waste management include waste reduction and effective waste collection and segregation. Over the years, it has implemented programs such as Trash to Cash, Plastic Waste Collection, and E-Waste Collection that have contributed to reducing the total solid waste generation across its real estate portfolio.
Through its pioneering Trash to Cash recycling market, SM Prime has collected and recycled 1.4M kg of plastics, paper, metals, and others in 2022. “We have saved 16,766 trees from the 986,222 kg of paper recycled,” SM Prime disclosed in its 2022 Integrated Report to shareholders.
Meanwhile, SM’s Plastic Waste Collection program, a partnership with the Plastic Credit Exchange that was launched in February 2021, has accumulated 42,541kg of plastic waste from 14 mall sites. Also present in all its 83 SM Supermalls is the E-Waste Collection program for the responsible disposal of WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment). This drive has helped process close to 7,000 kilograms of e-waste. (ENDS)
NEWS
Satisfy your cravings with these best-selling Nanyang drinks
September 15, 2023 3:30 p.m.
Nanyang isn’t only known for its Laksa Prawn, Cheesy Chicken Chop Noodles and Singapore’s best selling Hainanese Chicken Rice and Kopi.
It also has several best-selling drinks to whet your appetite and satisfy your sweet tooth, such as Iced Teh Melaka, Kopi Jelly Milk Tea, Milo Dinosaur and Kopi O.
Head over to your nearest Nanyang branches nationwide.
NEWS
USA back on top; Germany takes Top 3 spot in FIBA World Ranking
September 15, 2023 1:28 p.m.
MIES (Switzerland) – The recent completion of the prestigious FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has produced some eye-catching positive climbs in the latest FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.
USA reclaim pole position with 786.6 points after benefiting from their consistency at major tournaments over the last three summers. Finishing in fourth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup where they outperformed former number one nation Spain, their run to the Semi-Finals came off the back of winning an Olympic title at Tokyo in 2021 and also taking bronze at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022.
Recently crowned FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 champions Germany have another slice of history to enjoy as they step into the top three of the rankings for the very first time after moving up a massive eight places and onto 759.7 points. Their stunning success made all the more incredible because of the fact they made the journey to the top step of the podium without tasting defeat.
Canada also have another reason to celebrate too, with their maiden FIBA Basketball World Cup medal fueling an even bigger rise of nine spots. They now occupy sixth position with 745.5 points.
Serbia performed in outstanding fashion to make the title game and their second-placed finish gave their fans something to be proud of. Those supporters can also now enjoy and reflect on their country being a top five nation again as they move up a place and into fifth position on 755.6 points.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the scale and impact of climbing the rankings in the upper echelon, nobody can match Latvia. They have rocketed up a staggering 22 places and into the top 10 after their heroic underdog displays which ensured they took fifth place at the FIBA Basketball World Cup. They now sit in 8th position on 743.7 points.
There were many other teams who impressed at the flagship event, including Brazil who recorded three wins in five games and moves up a place into 12th in the rankings on 660.5 points. The Americas region can also boast a nice move upwards of five places into 16th for Puerto Rico on 611.1 points, while Dominican Republic rise six spots into 18th place on 561.9 points.
There were also notable improvements for Georgia who move up 10 positions and into 23rd on 465.9 points, Japan jump 11 spots to 26th on 432.2 points and Lebanon claim an uplift of 16 places into 28th on 423.3.
One nation that truly made everyone sit up and take notice at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 were first-timers South Sudan. They made history by beating China to claim a first win at the event, then pushing on to beat the Philippines and Angola. This has resulted in a sensational climb of 32 spots in the rankings. They now find themselves in 31st place with 375.5 points.
For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Men, please refer to the “How It Works” section.
Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.
SM Prime explores potential partnership with Japanese firm for waste-to-fuel solutions
Satisfy your cravings with these best-selling Nanyang drinks
USA back on top; Germany takes Top 3 spot in FIBA World Ranking
Ateneo gives PBA guest team fits in 102-93 loss
First in Manila! All immersive experiences lead to SM with its 3D Whale Shark billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway, dazzling light shows
