British security firm eyes Phl as base for mfg operations

MANILA, Philippines - British security products and solutions provider Andrews and Wykeham Ltd., which has chosen to set up a regional office in the Philippines, is considering bringing its manufacturing operations here, an official said.

Andrews and Wykeham business development director Max Zolotukhin revealed in a press briefing that the firm, which opened its regional office in Ayala in Makati City in July to serve the Southeast Asian market, is studying if it could undertake manufacturing operations in the country.

Andrews and Wykeham is engaged in manufacturing security components for passports, identification cards, government documents, banknote paper and credit cards, as well as stamps for cigarettes and alcohol products, to protect such items from counterfeit.

At present, these products are manufactured in the United Kingdom.

Zolotukhin said the firm decided to open a regional office here, citing the country’s educated force, the wide use of the English language, and its proximity to other countries in the region.

“Here, we recognize that this, ultimately, is a more competitive manufacturing base. So potentially, the plan is, the plan is not finalized at the moment, but what would be very interesting is to bring some elements of the manufacturing processes here,” Zolotukhin said.

For the firm to decide to manufacture products here, he said that it needs to achieve substantial volume of business in Southeast Asia, which would mean a turnover of £7 to 8 million.

He also said manufacturing in the Philippines would require putting up a facility which meets the firm’s strict security specifications.

The investment in such facility, he said, would amount to around £2 million.