Premier Mao Chi-kuo today recognized the casting industry's modernization efforts and encouraged its businesses to further raise their competitiveness by utilizing 3D printing technology.
With more than NT$80 billion (US$2.6 billion) of annual output value, casting is an important fundamental industry of Taiwan, the premier said. However, the industry is facing a predicament due to skills and labor shortages as well as the aging of the work force. Fortunately, the relevant agencies and industry leaders noticed the severity of these problems and formulated concrete action plans, Mao noted. He expressed recognition and support for their efforts.
Mao made these remarks at a press conference on the establishment of a platform for the industry's development. The premier expects the sector to make good use of this platform to reinvent itself as a primary employment choice of young people and a new model for Taiwan's industrial competitiveness.
Because improving factory environment and equipment is crucial for the casting industry's transformation, Mao had previously instructed the Ministry of Labor (MOL) and Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to offer incentives for the modernization of plants, production equipment and processes. At present, more than 30 enterprises have joined in this modernization effort, and it is hoped that all the sector's remaining businesses will modernize in the near future.
Following these improvements, younger generations have begun to enter the casting industry. The premier said he is pleased to hear about this development. In addition, he pledged that the government will pay more attention to maintaining the health of the sector's workers.
In the past many of Taiwan's industries competed on low-cost production, but in the future they must rely on innovation and reduced production time to raise competitiveness, the premier pointed out. He thus encouraged industry operators to employ 3D printing technology.
Because the equipment for 3D printing is expensive, Mao demanded the MOEA set up a public 3D printing center wherever metal casting foundries are concentrated in order to help lower manufacturers' costs and accelerate the industry's upgrade. Moreover, he also directed the MOEA to mobilize the Industrial Technology Research Institute and other related agencies to assist manufacturers in employing this technology.
The application of 3D printing technologies in the country is still in its preliminary phase, and much room exists for research and development, the premier noted. He therefore tasked the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Education to conduct related basic research and get to know the industry's needs. In so doing the government can inject the necessary funds to help blaze a trail for the sector.
Finally, the premier called for collaboration to raise the casting industry's profit and production value.
The MOL stated that its 3C (clean, career and competitive) casting industry project integrates inter-ministerial resources to improve work environments (clean), cultivate talent (career), and transform and upgrade production processes (competitive), thus raising the industry's competitiveness and attracting young people to the work force.