Kawasaki celebrates 50th year in PH

Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corp. president and chairman of the board Hisashi Nishizawa leads the toast celebrating the company’s golden anniversary.

In the Philippines, Kawasaki is known for its robust and heavy-duty motorcycles used in tricycles, the three-wheeled transportation workhorse relied upon by Filipinos for their everyday commute.

During the recent 50th anniversary celebration of Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation (KMPC), company officials highlighted this very quality that has made Kawasaki brand synonymous with heavy-duty motorcycles.

According to JVR Group of Companies chairman Jaime del Rosario, since the start of KMPC in 1968, they worked closely with motorcycle designers in Japan to develop and come out with a motorcycle best suited for the tricycle, which carry not only a number of passengers but is also used to transport heavy packages.

Telling a crowd who attended KMPC’s 50th anniversary celebration on July 6, Del Rosario remembers how his late father and founder of KMPC JV del Rosario sent him to Japan to live and work in a motorcycle factory.

His father instructed him to “go and find out what the market needs.” By market, JVR meant the local transport system dominated by tricycles.

Surpassing Filipinos’ needs

“Kawasaki is known for heavy duty motorcycles,” says Lito Dancel, KMPC VP for supply chain. “We’re designing motorcycles not for short-term, but we are designing motorcycle that can really surpass the needs of Filipinos.”

Dancel added: “From the beginning when Kawasaki was launched in 1968, that was the first plan of the Japanese—which was to make motorcycles that can see to the requirements of Filipinos. We all know that Filipinos use motorcycle for tricycles.”

Former presidents of Kawasaki Philippines get their due recognition.

The first motorcycle for heavy duty use launched years ago has evolved into today’s Kawasaki “Barako,” which has the capacity and power to transport seven people when attached to a tricycle cab.

Heavy duty reputation

“When it started, Kawasaki built its reputation as the number one brand for heavy-duty tricycles in the Philippines. The product remains Kawasaki´s top seller,” said Ruby Macalintal, KMPC senior marketing manager.

“Lately, Kawasaki also made concerted efforts to woo the young and upwardly mobile market through a campaign that equates motorcycles with everyday lifestyle. With this move, Kawasaki has updated its image, yet remains true to one of its traditional values: Quality is more than a quest. It is our motivation,” added Macalintal.

Five decades ago

KMPC was established in the Philippines 50 years ago by businessman J.V. del Rosario, who also put up a number of companies now under the JVR Group of Companies.

Former employees were also given a golden grant for their loyalty and service.

KMPC started with the partnership between J.V. Del Rosario and Sakata Shokai, Ltd. (now SIIX Corporation) when they founded Delsa Industrial Corporation in 1968.

In 1974, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (KHI) acquired a stake in the company, which later changed its name to Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corporation. In 1996, KHI took controlling stock of the company.

Today, as one of the top motorcycle brands in the country, the company produces some 18,000 motorcycle units every month in its 29,383 sqm plant in Bo. Cupang, Muntinlupa.

Hisashi Nishizawa, president of KMPC

The plant also manufactures and exports motorcycle components and power products, as well as offers spare parts service and repair.

Along with its regional offices in Cebu and Davao, the Kawasaki network services over 2,000 stores and dealers nationwide.

Anniversary commemoration

On July 6, KMPC commemorated its 50th anniversary in a grand fashion at Okada Manila, where company executives and current and former employees, along with celebrities revisited and celebrated the company’s early beginnings and triumphs in speeches, presentations and a show.

The company also gave service awards to employees who worked for 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years.

Jaime Del Rosario, chairman of JVR Group of Companies

Recognitions were also given to model employees and the former presidents of KMPC since its inception.

KMPC’s anniversary party was hosted by multimedia motoring journalist James Deakin and Tawag ng Tanghalan hurado and comedienne K Brosas.

More than 500 guests, including KMPC employees and management, along with esteemed guests from Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan, joined the celebration.

Also present were representatives from SIIX and the JVR Group of Companies, who both have helped establish KMPC to be the successful organization it is today.

Shiro Murai, chairman of SIIX Corporation