Taiwan Machine Tools at IMTS Aerospace Application Forum

The director of the economy division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago - Joseph Sun, was honorably presented at the ‘Taiwan Machine Tool in The Aerospace Application Summit’ jointly organized by the Bureau of economic affairs and TIATRA. The Summit was held onthe 13th of September, the second day ofIMTS 2016, with all the world-wide manufacturers and visitors gathered at the trade show in Chicago, the Taiwanese aerospace machine tool summit served as an initiative to announce to a broader audience that Taiwanese machine tools have sufficient and eligible technologies to become the major suppliers of aviation manufacturers. 

 

At the post-forum interview, director Sun stressed that in comparison to the last IMTS two years ago, the scale of the show has grown and was able to encompass a greater variety of areas. Given the enlarging focuses in manufacturing, IMTS served as the perfect stage for establishing the links between Taiwanese outstanding machine tool manufacturers and the US as well as European aerospace manufacturers. Especially as the focus of ‘advanced manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing’ have been identified by the new Tsai administration since May this year on top of a bundle of implementations are in place to boost the presence of Taiwan’s machine tool, it is a right time for the machine tool builders from Taiwan to enter the US market with full power.

 

Director Sun reminded the public that the role of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago is that of providing informational assistance and consultancy services for the manufacturers who wish to access the US market with further attempts. The Office have invited state officials from Wisconsin, Ohio and Illinois to formseveral workshops in order to provide overviews of the regulatory and local situations, regarding the practicality for the Taiwanese manufacturers who would like to build factories in the US. Director Joseph Sun remarked on the successful example of Hiwin Group, who expand their factory to Chicago as early as in the year 1992 – in which gave them none time lapse for the development of the global and particularlythe heartland of America. ‘Many of the iconic machinery builders from Taiwan today came from SMEs (small and middle sized enterprises) background’, said Joseph Sun. Having a peculiar scene of being consisted of over 80 percent of SMEs of the total economic sector, the Taiwan’s machine tool manufacturers would also need to draw out a different developmental strategy from their counterparts in Korea or Japan giant enterprise model. These strategies include the existing initiatives in letting the innovation knowledge flow amidst the dynamic SMEs. 

 

Technological advancements often evolve from grass-root entities such as universities and research institutions as well as through direct subsidizing. Departing from there, these research breakthroughs would act as the backbones that support growth of SME’s R&D strength. Joseph Sun pointed out in the interview that the ‘Heading South’ policy of Taiwan (broadening trades with the Southeast Asian region), as well as the potential opportunity in joining TPP would be the priorities for the current administration.While major economic blocs are all part of the trade deal, Taiwan would be able to close the gap from limitations from tariff from forging smooth trades in the international arena.

 

Director Joseph Sun concluded in the interview by reassuring the importance of Taiwan in the global arrangement today. He believed that in the contemporary political economy, Taiwan has been a know-how powerhouse for the Asian economic miracle, and not to be forgotten as a technological carrier to China’s open door policy since the late 20th Century. 

 

As Taiwanese machine tools advance toward of becoming the crucial suppliers of aviation manufacturing, Director Sun urged more exchanges and forums among Taiwan and overseas manufacturers in the aerospace industry that would then enable Taiwan to construct strong and visionary capacity as it increases its value as the world’s 5th machine tool exporting country.