Interview with New TIFI Chairman Anchor T.H. Chang

 

by Tanya Shih, Fastener World Inc.

 

Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute (TIFI), established in 1969, has had 638 registered members thus far. It is recognized as a leading organization in Taiwanese fastener industry and plays a critical role in maintaining harmonious order of production & sale, coordinating trade disputes, joining in public utilities, and acting as a trustee for the government or any other organization.

 

Fastener World Magazine is very pleased to invite TIFI Chairman to share the full-year review and prospect every year. The interview for 2015 is particularly different because in the yearend of 2014 TIFI held the triennial election for directors, supervisors, and the management, in which president Anchor T.H. Chang of Anchor Fasteners (a leading artificial dental implant manufacturer in Taiwan) was voted by a majority of members as the 17^th term of TIFI chairman. Accordingly, we invited chairman Chang to forecast the development of the fastener industry, and talk specifically about how he will lead the entire TIFI team ahead during his tenure from 2015 to 2017. The full coverage is as follows:

 

A1. I have a positive and optimistic attitude toward the development of the global fastener industry in the next few years. To review the past two years, the U.S. was the first one to come out of the economic crisis. Although the “Made-In-USA” policy caused short term impact on fastener imports of the country, it is helpful to reduce domestic unemployment rate and accelerate economic recovery in the long term. Fasteners are always traded in a large amount and are indispensable to every country, so even though the categories of imported fasteners may somewhat differ, shrinking demand may not necessarily occur. As a result, I suggest fastener companies follow the trend by generalizing what categories the customers actually buy. By doing so, they may keep up with the pace of U.S. market.

 

Following the good news in the U.S., European market also demonstrated positive growth in 2014, showing that the demand of European buyers, who are gradually getting away from the influence of European debt crisis, is still strong. This result is proved by Taiwanese fasteners exported to the EU. According to the data released by Taiwanese Bureau of Foreign Trade, during Jan.-Oct. 2014, Taiwanese fastener exports to the European market grew 17% to US$ 1.25419 billion over the last corresponding period (only US$ 20 million less than the value Taiwan exported to North America).

 

North America and Europe are two major fastener markets and Taiwan is very important in fastener exports. We can say the smooth interaction between each other is a great success. However, if Taiwan wants to continue to take the lead, it cannot ignore the pivotal issues like environmental protection and fair trade. I appeal to all the industry peers for cherishing the current success as well as consolidating Taiwan’s superior position.

 

A2. Acquisitions are seldom seen in Asian fastener industry due to different cultures, but there were actually two major cases in 2014 including the other acquisition of Chin Well announced afterward. In my opinion, acquisition is indeed a shortcut for a single company to strengthening its competitive edge, expanding its business territory, and increasing its market share. If the entire industry is taken into account, acquisition means integration. As a result, if the industry has to upgrade itself, the plan and support from the government are necessary. On the other hand, instead of focusing on the progress and completion of acquisition, I’d like to pay more attention to the integration of corporate cultures and staff that takes place after acquisition.

 

A3. Taiwanese fastener industry is famous for its clustering in certain areas. With the well-established industrial composition as well as active and progressive features of Taiwanese companies, TIFI can be a helping hand in marketing for all its members.

 

One example. International Fastener Show Taiwan 2016, following the success of its 2014 edition and the great demand of exhibitors and buyers, is expected to draw attendance of at least 400 exhibitors on 1,000 booths under the dome of Kaohsiung Exhibition Center. It is believed that through the onsite observation of foreign buyers on the clustering feature of Taiwanese fastener industry, order acceptance can be benefited a lot after the show.

 

Another example. In response to the era of Internet, Cloud Service of Taiwanese Fastener Industry, promoted by China Steel Corp., has been activated. TIFI suggests its members make use of the Internet to get updated info and utilize the platform to demonstrate their products and features, as they are participating in a fastener show held for the entire year.

Companies can, of course, make use of media (e.g. Fastener World Magazine) to direct promote their reputation as well as product sale.

 

A4. I’ve served in the fastener industry for over 40 years and have years of experience in working in fields of fastener machinery, molds, product forging & sale, and business management. I once worked under the title of TIFI director, supervisor, and chief of international affairs committee. Before taking the title of TIFI chairman, I had worked as the vice chairman of TIFI for 9 years. I would like to express my special thanks to former TIFI chairman for his excellent leadership and experience inheritance, and to all members for their recognition.

 

Taiwanese fastener industry has always been on the road of transition. With my previous experience, Taiwanese fastener companies used to focus on developing fasteners for automotive, wind power, railway, new energy, aerospace, orthopedics, and dental applications. In my opinion, Taiwanese fastener industry must have its mid/long term deployment according to the positioning of products.

 

According to statistics, the global car sale reaches 85 million units. Although automotive fasteners only represent 8% of the total cost of manufacturing a car, every car still needs over 3,000 pieces of fasteners for assembly. Automotive screws and nuts represent at least 23% of the total fastener sale. If the range is expanded to cover all automotive fasteners, the percentage will rise to 41%. As a result, with the mid-term strategy, the condition of Taiwanese industry is also suitable to develop automotive fasteners. The current conditions reveal that more and more companies turn to the development and sale of automotive fasteners every year, which shows the upgrade of Taiwanese fastener industry is in progress.

 

In the long run, Taiwanese industry with current technologies may take at least 10 years of deployment to turn itself into one industry that can offer small lots but diversified products with high technical level and entry barriers. Prior to reaching this result, it can begin with upgrade of products and use current capability for innovation. Upgrade of products can start from automotive fasteners.

 

1976    He worked in Chun Zu Machinery and was responsible for R&D of machines and forging technology software. He was moved to the sales division after 4 years of service in the company.

1981    He and his partner established Special Fasteners Engineering and the business range included imports and exports of fasteners and related products.

 

1986    He established Anchor Fasteners, specialized in producing anchors, rivet nuts, stainless steel washers, specialty fasteners, auto components, and aerospace fasteners.

1987    He was awarded the 6^th National Innovation Award.

1987    He was awarded the 20^th Model of Young Entrepreneurs.

1998    He was awarded Taiwan SMEs Innovation Award.

1999    He was awarded SMEs New Star Award.

2004    He was a #3510 regional chief of Taiwan Rotary Club Association.

2006    He was the 14^th-16^th term of TIFI vice chairman.

2008    He established Alliance Global Technology for the R&D of facilities used in dental, orthopedics, and minimally invasive applications, which successfully developed the artificial dental implant and started to take orders in 2009.

2011    He worked as vice president of Taiwan Alliance for Green 21.

2012    He was awarded Taiwan Innovation Award.

2015~   He is the 17^th TIFI chairman.

 

Anchor Fasteners Industrial Co., Ltd.

An-Mag Technology Co., Ltd.

Anchor Fasteners (Vietnam) Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Anker Special Fasteners Ind., Ltd.

Anplant Medical Device Co., Ltd.

Alliance Global Technology Co., Ltd.

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