The boom in jack exports has been the result of joint efforts by all the manufacturers and government agencies concerned. When exports began eight years ago, models were made according to specifications supplied by buyers.
Through lack of quality standards, exports were hampered at first by such faults as cracks and leaking oil. This prompted the Ministry of Economic Affairs to lay down standards concerned with hardness, thickness of frame, and weight. Products must undergo strict inspection before they are allowed for export. An official of the Taiwan Regional Hand-tools Association said that quality standards have been established in accordance with those applying in the United States, and are much higher than those in Japan.
As a result of this strict quality control and rising technical expertise, the reputation of Taiwan's jacks has been much improved. Exports have increased from a value of US$3.2 million in 1975 to US$42 million in 1978, the year Taiwan took over from Japan as the world's leading exporter.
Accounting for 60 percent of all Taiwan's jack exports, the Shinn Fu Auto Supply Co. is a conglomerate of eight export enterprises which was established eight years ago. Annual sales have risen from US$100,000 in the first year to US$30 million at present, while some 700 people are employed by the company.
Company director Hung Mao-hsiung said that export value has been enhanced by the improvement in quality, and therefore prices, as well as an increase in quantity. Even though the Chinese Communists have started to export jacks, at prices 30 percent lower than Taiwan's, Hung does not see them as a threat because their industrial standards are much lower, and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
The government sponsored trade promotion body, the China External Trade Development Council, has made a large contribution to the success of Taiwan's jack industry. Many suppliers have been put in touch with buyers through the CETDC's trade information collection system which is fully computerized.
Chen Kuang-che, CETDC official in charge of hardware and building materials said: "CETDC helps local suppliers to take part in international affairs and pays the fees for advertising and rental of stalls." Manufacturers with little export experience have been able to break into international markets with CETDC's assistance.
The CETDC official conceded: "While we have put manufacturers in contact with foreign sales outlets, whether they succeed in expanding their business depends on their own efforts."
[Picture Caption]
Taiwan is a leading world supplier of jacks. Most of the products are hydraulic, but there are also some handy manual ones. The boom in jack exports is a result of strict quality control. All materials used are checked, sometimes in laboratory. Automatic machinery is used to reduce production costs and increase Taiwan's competitive power.
Most of the products are hydraulic, but there are also some handy manual ones. The boom in jack exports is a result of strict quality control.
Taiwan is a leading world supplier of jacks. Most of the products are hydraulic.
All materials used are checked, sometimes in laboratory.
Automatic machinery is used to reduce production costs and increase Taiwan's competitive power.
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