Mitsubishi Motors PH bets gear up for 8th Global Monozukuri Skill Competition

MANILA: A team of manufacturing seven technicians are currently undergoing training as they will vie for top honors in the upcoming 8th Global Monozukuri Skill Competition.

In a statement, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) shared that the group — composed of the winners of the local skills competition held last May — shall face tough battles against participants from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

The representatives who are under a three-month exercise will compete in seven categories (welding, painting, assembly, tooling, stamping, maintenance, and logistics). They are:

Name	Category
Mark Bagnes	Welding
Mark Anthony Arcenal	Assembly
Sherwin Recaido	Stamping
Rommel Dalusung	Tooling
Andrew Atienza	Maintenance
John Carlo De Leon	Painting
Nelson Ojoy	Logistic

The training is led by MMPC Manager for Production Strategy Sergio Castro.

Organized by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), the event is rooted in the philosophy of Monozukuri, which is the Japanese “art of making things,” and seeks to enhance technical skills, promote global communication, and boost motivation. 

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According to MMPC President and Chief Executive Officer Ritsu Imaeda, the competition not only showcases the company's talent but also is a platform for the expertise of the entire Philippine automotive industry.

“When our technicians perform on the world stage, they embody the strength of partnership between Filipino craftsmanship and Japanese discipline. This not only elevates the reputation of the company’s Philippine-unit through MMPC but also inspires the next generation who are vital for the automobile industry's sustained growth. This balance of values demonstrates how shared strengths can produce truly world-class results,” Imaeda was quoted as saying.

PH participants’ sentiments

For his part, Castro (noted that the competition highlights the firm’s technical capabilities that are on par with other global affiliates.

“Through this competition, we aim to showcase our world-class skills, particularly in efficiency, hard work, and discipline, while also embracing the opportunity to learn from our peers and from each other,” he mentioned. 

While participants expressed excitement for the upcoming meet in Nagoya, they did not deny that the most challenging part of the training was to be confident to execute tasks while under pressure. 

“The main challenge was overcoming the pressure and nervousness. A crucial part of our program was practicing in front of a crowd, which simulated the competition. Through that experience, I've seen my performance improve little by little," Bagnes said.

Atienza shared Bagnes’ sentiments, adding that the strategy motivates and encourages the team while ensuring that they are being resilient professionals ready for the global stage. 

Arcenal expressed readiness for the competition. The environment is different and that makes us want to dive into this competition more and solve some real challenges.” 

MMPC’s bet for Tooling Dalusung believed that the competition serves as a way of inspiring others in their community. “This is our way of showing not just to MMPC but to other communities or organizations that our skill is at par with other nations.”

Recaido and de Leon said that this is also an avenue to give back to the industry and show how dedicated they are with their craft.

Lastly, Ojoy looks at the event as an investment. “Joining this competition is an investment in ourselves. The excitement comes from stepping out of our comfort zone and into a space where we create something.” 

Also read:

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