Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (Pilipinas Shell) and its partners in the transportation, general manufacturing, and construction industries came together for this year’s Shell Technology Forum to discuss developments in their respective businesses and how private companies and the government can come together for “The Road Ahead.”
This year’s forum discussed issues related to collaboration and why it is important in our quest towards a more innovative future for the Philippines.
Serge Bernal, Sales Team Lead for Indirect Channel for Lubricants Philippines, shared the importance of the Tech Forum after Shell’s presence in the Philippines for 105 years: “The company here in the Philippines is now 105 years old, and we always strive to contribute to nation building in all of its products, services, and people. This forum is one of Shell’s ways in leading the future of energy in our country by continuously evolving and adapting.”
On May 23, 2019, the yearly forum welcomed key partners from various industries as well as experts from the government, with the keynote speaker this year being Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), who emphasized how the Philippines is doing with innovation.
USec. Edillon defined innovation as “the implementation of new or significantly improved goods and services, production processes, marketing, or organizational methods for adding value. So, anything that is actually new or improved—anything that reduces the burden of labor.”
She noted a survey in 2015 done by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) which found out that out of 1,000 establishments, less than half, or 42.9%, were innovation-active in 2015.
Breakthroughs in Innovation
For the breakout sessions, speakers discussed the challenges, trends, and opportunities for product and service development. Despite these challenges, however, speakers noted their optimism by discussing the importance of collaboration and innovation to discuss the best solutions for their respective business and industries.
Erin Masangcay, Head of Road Freight Royal Cargo Inc., talked about difficulties fleet operations have due to the traffic congestion in the country: “The truck ban limits trucks from traveling on roads from Mondays to Saturdays from 6 AM to AM and 5 PM to 10 PM. This poses heavy logistical barriers and high shipping costs,” she stressed.
Masangcay stressed that many organizations in the logistics industries are hopeful for change through initiative from the private sector. “I think the government is aware of the problem and is willing to help, we just need the private sector and public sector collaborating for these policies.”
In the construction breakout session, Jeyan Vasudevan, Shell Regional Technology Manager of APME Bitumen, expressed an example of collaboration between the private and public sectors. With the onset of the Build, Build, Build program by the current administration, he expressed Shell’s contribution to building better infrastructure in the country: “In the Philippines, we have one of the bitumen refineries that has been set up two years back. It is supplying not only the Philippines but also supplying Asia. The president has announced the Build, Build, Build program, and Shell has responded to that and assured that the supply security for the country has been built.”
Zain Hak, Shell Asia General Manager of Fleet Solutions, noted that we cannot omit partnership if we want more efficient workflow. “I look after all the fleet solution in Asia, and I can tell you that of the 10 countries that we operate, societies that are effectively leveraging these partnerships, whether they are fluid partnerships, joint ventures, are the ones who actually have the most effective systems,” he revealed.
As a leader in the construction industry, Joachim Enenkel, Director for Construction and Real Estate, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, echoed USec. Edillon’s remarks about the importance of innovation in improving our businesses: “If we do not innovate, if we do not move forward, we lose competitiveness.”
Better technology, better products
For the three industries of this year’s Technology Forum, speakers noted the impact of high-performing products that support business efficiency and the growing industries of the Philippine market.
According to representatives of the transportation industry, better technology to reduce fuel consumption costs and prevent corrosion of engines is vital to better products and services for industries such as mining, construction, manufacturing, marine, and transport. Shell Fuels Technical Advisor Andrew Kho, in his presentation, emphasized how Shell FuelSave Diesel is accomplishing more for less: “Shell FuelSave Diesel keeps engine equipment in peak condition with DYNAFLEX technology, which allows the engine to operate more efficiently,” Kho noted. “Reducing operation costs is integral to upkeep of more efficient service for customers everywhere,” he added.
Regarding the relevance of Shell Bitumen products to the Philippine construction industry, Jeyan Vasudevan, Shell Regional Technology Manager of APME Bitumen, discussed recent developments in the Bitumen technology, particularly Shell Cariphalte, which was recently used in Clark, Pampanga. According to him, “Shell Cariphalte is asphalt, which makes roads safer as it increases skid resistance for cars everywhere. This technology is designed to meet the needs of modern-day roads, airports, and construction sectors.”
Not leaving out the importance of people in developing better technology and better products during the general manufacturing breakout session, Felix Guerzoni, the PAS Team Lead for Shell Lubes Asia Pacific at Shell Shanghai Technology, noted: “Behind data analytics, industry 4.0, iOT, is still people. Very much, it’s about innovation in new products and services, but it’s also about developing our staff, developing our technology, which translate your needs to our research and development facilities”
The Road Ahead
Pilipinas Shell President, Cesar G. Romero, concluded the technology forum with a positive note for partners and industry leaders. “Shell continues to strive to be a preferred partner as we meet your energy needs,” Romero noted. “As we move forward, we know that energy will continue to be an important contributor to your business, an important component in your operations, and we assure you that we are willing to work with you to understand your needs to formulate products and solutions that will help you progress in your respective businesses.”
