REY Amora, proprietor of Amora Machine Shop and Iron Works in Valencia City, Bukidnon was a public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver for five 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.
Amora had difficulty in competing on the industry field 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 P150,000 from his income as a driver and P250,000 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), 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 grabbed the opportunity to take advantage of the program because I knew it could help me and my business,” he said.
As he gained more clients, his income has increased to 40 percent. 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. 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 & 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. (PIA10)
