Pinoy-made Jeeps Go Global
Eyeing that tough-looking jeep being ridden by our men in uniform and wondering where it came from?
You may be surprised to know that’s just one of the top-of-the-line vehicles that’s being manufactured right here in Caloocan City by a proudly Philippine-owned and operated company.
MD Juan Enterprises, which was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maximo D. Juan to meet the growing market for light and multi-purpose vehicles in the Philippines, is acknowledged as the pioneer in machine-pressed metal parts for both military and civilian jeeps in the Philippines.
The company started by bringing in surplus World War II jeeps from Europe and Japan. As the market for these types of vehicles picked up, the company went into fabrication of replacement jeepney parts to cater to customers who were having a hard time finding these replacements in local stores and service centers. Specifically, MD Juan Enterprises, Inc. specializes in making jeeps, jeep body tubs and kits, jeep chassis, body parts, automotive accessories, components, spare parts, and machinery.
As the company grew, it went into the fabrication and export of metal works, stamped metal parts, automotive accessories, parts and assemblies, as well as military and security products. It also expanded its distribution network into North America, Asia-Pacific, and parts of Europe.
Not one to rest on its laurels, and anticipating tougher competition ahead in its field, MD Juan Enterprises, Inc. reached out to the Department of Science and Technology- National Capital Region in 2016 to help the company improve its productivity and product quality through DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
DOST-NCR provided a comprehensive package of technical interventions, including helping the company to acquire, install, and commission a powder curing oven and the powder sieving machine. These pieces of equipment, together with the company-purchased overhead trolley conveyor and powder paint spray booth with cyclone recovery system, made it possible for the company to have its own powder coating capability.
The equipment upgrades were complemented with upskilling staff through training, such as safety in metal fabrication, productivity-based incentive scheme, supply chain management, and fundamentals of a business continuity plan.
Together, the technical interventions resulted in improved quality and appearance of the company’s products. It also eliminated in-line rectification and warranty claims. In addition, it gained five new clients from the United States of America and increased sales by 15%, helping the company to transition from a medium to a large enterprise.
MD Juan Enterprises reflects social responsibility by being involved in community development and environmental protection, adhering to its corporate policy of attaining sustainable growth by continually striving to improve their products, processes, and people through science, technology, and innovation. Meantime, it continues to manufacture quality vehicles that perform as good as they look, proving to their domestic and foreign markets that Filipino creativity, fine workmanship, and meticulous attention to detail can place the Philippines in a competitive position in the constantly evolving automotive industry.
By Pinky Foz Marcelo of TSS-SSCU
