CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Sar Shalom, an enterprise based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, upscales export-quality fiber production from pineapple and abaca through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10.
Through the DOST-SETUP program, the firm availed the decorticator machine for pineapple fibers, decorticator machine for abaca fibers, brusher machine, and the baler machine which amounts to Php 1.7 million. Currently, Sar Shalom supplies fiber to a consolidator in Manila who is exporting to Europe. With the upscaling, the company hopes to be directly exporting its products.
Since receiving the equipment in October 2022, the firm confirmed a 58% increase in sales. Another milestone is their tripled production volume using the new equipment.
With the recent upgrading, the firm is expecting an increase in decorticating by at least 75%, their brushing capacity by at least 250%, and their baling time decreased by at least 50%. These aimed breakthroughs will enable the firm to supply the continuously increasing demand for local fibers abroad.
The owner, Engr. Joei Cesar Gaid, emphasized that the company’s goal also includes a contribution to local employment and to the community’s socio-economic development. Currently, Sar Shalom already has 5 female employees and 2 male employees.
SETUP is a nationwide strategy encouraging and assisting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technological innovations to improve their products, services, and operations and increase their productivity and sales. (Nova Belle C. Calotes/DOST 10)
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