By Mano Hanako Figueras
The world as we know it in the 21st century is moving faster than ever. Between earning a living and raising a family, social networking has become a valuable means of meeting new people, whilst fast food meals have become the order of the day even for those in high level business meetings.
 Fompac Plastics Corporation taps directly into the demand of today's fast paced lifestyle by being a leading manufacturer and distributor of plastic packaging products used by fast food giants in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Albert Tanlimco, President and Owner of Fompac Plastics Corporation, talks to International Plastics News for Asia (IRNA) about the trends in plastics manufacturing industry in Asia.

IRNA: How did Fompac Plastics Corporation (Fompac) emerge into an important player in the industry?
Tanlimco: Fompac Plastics Corporation was formed in 1988 to create a superior source of plastic packaging for domestic and export markets. Our goal was to develop an advanced plastic manufacturing and trading organisation, not only in terms of production, but also in market awareness, engineering design, and logistical support.
 What started as a means to supply thermoformed polystyrene foam packaging for the Philippine market grew into much more than we envisioned. The fast food industry was just beginning to grow when we began, and Fompac literally grew with its demands. Since then we have added injection-moulded and blow-moulded products; however, thermoforming remains our core process.

IRNA: Could you give us a rundown of your most popular products?
Tanlimco: Our best seller is our noodle box, which is perfect packaging for spaghetti meal, and is used by fast food restaurants around the country. Aside from this, we also have trays and plates, such as microwaveable food trays, salad packs, meat trays, noodle trays, siomai trays, cake roll trays, utility trays, and plates; clear packs such as pasta packs, sandwich packs, large food packs for fruits and vegetables, and assorted clear packs perfect for various deserts, sushi, and other food items; foam clamshells used as "bento boxes" for set meals, chicken dishes, burger boxes, and 2 to 4-division lunch boxes.
 We also manufacture plastic cutleries, hygienic collectible tumblers for hot and cold beverages, which are highly sought after as an advertising vehicle for promoting products or events. We also have soup bowls and portion cups designed to hold different kinds of sauces and can also be used to serve a variety of side dishes.

IRNA: You have established long-term loyalty with some of your clients. What types of companies make up your biggest clientele?
Tanlimco: Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, supermarkets, restaurants, and sports stadiums are among the many institutions and businesses that rely on polystyrene packaging. Its sturdy construction and sanitary design provide excellent insulation at an economical cost. Grocery stores use polystyrene in virtually all meat and poultry trays. In addition, polystyrene packaging can be found in egg cartons and a variety of produce packages, such as apple trays, mushroom tills, tomato containers, and strawberry and grape crates.

IRNA: What are some of the key strategies that have brought success to Fompac?
Tanlimco: We have a deep passion for excellence, and we are committed to satisfy our customers' needs with integrity, which is vital in every organisation, yet so rare nowadays. We create and maintain a working environment that will provide our people with the opportunity for growth, by helping them realise their full potential. We also seek to maximise returns for the benefit of all stakeholders in the company. By taking care of our people's needs, we boost employee output and in turn, customer satisfaction.

IRNA: The plastic manufacturing industry is a competitive one. What sets you apart from your competitors?
Tanlimco: Throughout all the years of developments in our company, we have invested heavily to meet strict quality standards including our Certification as an ISO 22000:2005 company, and our adherence to the International Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Standards for Food Safety, and Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP). Quality has always set Fompac apart, and is the major reason why most major plastic product users trust and invest in us.

IRNA: In today's environmental-conscious world, how does Fompac fit in?
Tanlimco: Our company is very much involved in recycling projects as a member of the Polystyrene Packaging Council of the Philippines (PPCP). We recycle, and encourage our customers to do the same. In our website alone, we inform customers that polystyrene post-consumer waste, in the form of food trays, cups, plates, and protective packaging items are being recovered for recycling from numerous locations in Metro Manila and suburban areas. The programme has now extended to schools located within the area of such pick-up. In 1997, PPCP formally launched the Makati City Plastic Waste Segregation and Recycling Program for commercial centres. The programme is a joint collaboration of the Ayala Foundation, the Ayala Group of Companies and the local government units of Barangay San Lorenzo.

IRNA: What roles does Fompac's engineering centre play in providing technical support to your customers' design needs?
Tanlimco: Fompac is equipped with an engineering centre to provide technical support to customers' design needs. The centre is staffed with a team of professional design engineers and graphic designers using the latest in design technology that ensures availability of technical designs and prototypes in a minimum number of days.
 A knowledgeable workforce remains the heart of our operation, from sales people to the engineers that conceive our packages. Fompac also uses the most up-to-date information to match customer demands with production. We manufacture mould tools for production in record time: prototype samples can be provided in as short as 10 days to support customers' immediate product launchings in the market.

IRNA: What are the strategic plans of Fompac Plastics for even greater success in the near future?
Tanlimco: Technically, we aim for continuous learning and improvement. New technology can be very expensive, so we try to develop a lot of in-house knowhow to keep ourselves competitive and innovative.
 Our group is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. We are entering a new and exciting phase in our company's journey as we embark on several new projects that will broaden our horizons.