 DAN C. Lachica, managing director of the electronics division of First Philec Corporation, was on the lookout for opportunities to expand the manufacturing business of the Lopez Group when in 2007 he was referred to SunPower Corporation, which was searching for a wafer slicing service provider. Chairman Oscar M. Lopez had repeatedly discussed his desire for the manufacturing sector to grow to be a core business. US-based SunPower is the world’s fifth largest manufacturer of solar power systems, including solar cells and solar panels.
“In the early stages of negotiation, we were able to edge out other local manufacturers who were interested in the SunPower joint venture because of the credibility of the Lopez Group, as well as the track record of First Sumiden (Lopez Group member First Sumiden Circuits, Inc. or FSCI manufactures flexible printed circuits),” says Lachica. Exceeding all metrics SunPower did not regret choosing the Lopez Group as Lachica, now president and chief executive officer of First Philec Solar Corporation (FPSC), harnessed the troops and led the joint venture in exceeding all metrics, not least of which is successfully starting up the solar wafer slicing facility one month ahead of schedule and less than budget. With a wealth of business excellence tools earlier applied in FSCI, Lachica and the FPSC team established quality management systems from scratch, beginning with planning all the way to accountability and monitoring. Because of this deliberate choice to apply best practices from the start, the FPSC building was completed in record time despite unexpected challenges such as the spike in steel prices and the rains that came early in 2008. The FPSC building broke ground on January 21, 2008 and was finished in four months. FPSC was running qualification wafers for SunPower by May, although its contract required start of operations only in July. Symbolic first shipment “During our inauguration on June 18, the chairman (Lopez) gave our symbolic first shipment of wafers actually sliced by the plant to Greg Reichow, SunPower senior workforce has responded favorably. “We asked them to work through Christmas and New Year because we had to fill the gap caused by the temporary shut-down of one of SunPower’s Japanese suppliers. We found that our people are resilient and flexible and can step up when called upon,” says Lachica. Growing the business FPSC managers and executives helped by distributing lechon meal to the employees, that is, literally serving the meals in all shifts. Lachica and his crew look forward to growing the photo-voltaic or PV business as the sun rises on the Philippine solar power industry. While semiconductors and electronics manufacturers are experiencing declining, if not negative growth globally, the current estimate for solar this year is a 30% growth, down from the original projection of 50%. “We want to build up the company to full capacity, then set up our operations in Malaysia where SunPower will build its third wafer fabrication facility, and find other customers as well,” he says. Employee focus, commitment Lachica gives full credit to the FPSC employees: “We could not have done this without the employees. To execute a project of this complexity in a crunched schedule and difficult circumstances requires focus, dedication, and commitment. We also received support and cooperation from SunPower and I believe we have established a good model for joint ventures.” And for LopezLink readers, he quotes Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Lachica says our job is to believe in God’s word. “We read the papers and watch the news on TV and all see many companies closing and thousands of jobs lost. Let’s not focus on the world economy. Let’s focus on God’s economy,” he concludes. All’s well! The future is sunny. Recommend this article...
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