SETUP SUCCESS STORY: From PUJ Driver To A Leading Agri- Machinery Fabricator In Bukidnon

Mr. Rey Amora, proprietor of Amora Machine Shop and Iron Works in Valencia City,
Bukidnon was a PUJ driver for 5 years and worked for an industrial machine shop for 10
years. From his savings, he decided to put up his own machine shop.
The business started as a one-man company with low capacity equipment. Mr. Amora had a
difficulty in competing in the industry since the market demands for bigger and heavier
equipment. Moreover, faster service and higher machine capacity are required to
accommodate all customers. On September 8, 2008, Amora Machine Shop and Iron Works
was established. It offered steel fabrication, spare parts machining, and repair services. He
initially had a capital of P 150,000.00 from his income as a driver and P250, 000.00 loaned
from the bank to purchase equipment and pay for the machine shop rental.
In 2016, through the Department of Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology
Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP), Mr. Amora acquired a Lathe Machine, which helped
him improve his product quality, business productivity, and sales.
“When I heard about DOST’s SETUP, I immediately grab the opportunity to take advantage
of the program because I know this can help me and my business”, Mr. Amora said.
As he gained more clients, his income has increased to 40%. His machine shop currently has
eight (8) employees who are well-trained in using and maintaining the equipment. Through
the DOST’s assistance, he was able to expand his market and from serving only one city, the
company is now serving the whole province of Bukidnon. Likewise, from utility vehicles,
Amora Machine Shop can now cater part repairs for heavy equipment such as backhoe,
graders, bulldozers and heavy duty cargo and hauling tracks.
To date, Amora Machine Shop and Iron works has fully refunded the SETUP assistance to
DOST and is considered a successfully completed project. It is now enjoying the benefits of
improved productivity with science, technology and innovation. (Ritchie Mae L. Guno,
DOST-X)