With new vehicle sales in the Philippines increasing by a record 36 percent in June compared to the same month last year, the timing of the 3rd edition the Philippines International Auto Parts, Accessories and Service & Repair Equipment Exhibition could not have been better. PhilAuto’16, a three-day event held at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, is recognized by the automotive aftermarket industry as the premiere tradeshow to source new supplies and check out the latest trends and innovations.
“Most important, however, the event attracts thousands of industry players and presents a unique opportunity to network and form the beginnings of very close relationships,” said Jubie Bartolay, an executive recruitment consultant with Monroe Consulting Group Philippines.
Jubie, the assistant division head of Monroe’s Industrial Division that specializes in sourcing and recruiting executives for national and multinational automotive companies operating in the Philippines, said the industry was one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia.
“With the expanding, vibrant economy, sales of new vehicles have been growing at a rate of around 10 percent,” she said. “And the Philippines remains one of the largest importers of used or reconditioned vehicles from abroad, hence the reason for PhilAuto’16, which helps drive the auto aftermarket in the Philippines.”
Rachelle Lacanlale, also with Monroe, said she was delighted to have met so many leaders within the automotive industry, both domestically and internationally. “A number of people or companies that we met and talked with expressed an intention to establish operations in the Philippines, including sales and distribution centers.”
She said the vast majority of executives had questions about recruitment in the Philippines, particularly at the executive and technical levels. “One the management side of things, there was interest in every position, from country managers to human resources executives to sales directors,” Rachelle said. “On the manufacturing side, the range was as equally as wide, from plant managers to logistics and distribution professionals.”
Rachelle’s colleague, Ariane Magalso, said Monroe played a vital role in securing executives for start-up or established automotive or automotive parts companies in the Philippines.
“Companies looking to penetrate the market in the Philippines face a difficult assignment without the right people who really understand the industry in the country,” the recruitment consultant said. “Monroe’s specialized Industrial Division has the edge over our competitors because we not only have the ability to secure qualified and experience personnel, but we provide our clients with invaluable insights into the wider automotive industry and other associated aspects of the economy.”