On August 25, Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers` Association (THTMA) held a party to celebrate its 30th anniversary and unveiled its branch office in central Taiwan.



The association was founded by seven Taiwanese hand tool manufacturers on August 15, 1977, and now it has more than 370 members. "Many industries on the island have recessed to the brink of demise because of sluggish economy. But our hand-tool industry has beat the downturn and grown robustly on steady expansion of member manufacturers and export value," said Charlie Hsieh, then chairman of the association, at the celebration party.

Hsieh noted that exports of Taiwan`s hand tool industry soared to US$2.5 billion in 2006 from around US$100 million posted in the year the association was founded. "Hand-tool manufacturers can be viewed as braves on the frontline of Taiwan`s economy," he added.



Hsieh said that Taiwan hand tool industry has proved its success from its firm standing after 30 years of ups and downs. "From the reality, I believe the association will be able to better exploit its functions in the future than in the past in fostering the industry," he said.

By dividing the association`s three decades into three stages, Hsieh tried to offer his audience a quick look at the evolution of Taiwan`s hand tool industry. "In the first decade, which went from 1977 through 1987, the domestic industry was still in an infant stage characterized by low-quality products, insufficient information on global market and no brands," Hsieh said.

In the second stage, which began from 1987 and ended in 1997, the Taiwan industry began promoting products in global markets and manufacturers started putting emphasis on product research and development, upgrading production equipment and improving quality and quantity. "In this stage, domestic manufacturers began applying for patents and industrial certifications to protect their products from being copied and win international orders," Hsieh noted.



Global presence and intensive market push by attending major trade shows have been the centerpiece of the third stage, which began in 1997. "In this stage, domestic manufacturers have entered into production of high-end products like digital tools and medical tools, in addition to traditional types. In this stage, manufacturers are transforming themselves into a brand supplier from a contract supplier to boost product value," Hsieh stressed.

After the speech, Hsieh and association executives as well as invited dignitaries including Kou Chin-tsong, vice president of the Taiwan-based China Economic News Service (CENS), cut the ribbon to mark the unveiling of the association’s branch office, which is located on a tall office building in Taichung, central Taiwan.

The new branch office has a floor area of 222.21 pings (7,999 square feet at one ping=36sq. ft.) and is equipped with showcases in addition to conference rooms and chairman room. Hsieh explained that the association needs a permanent site in central Taiwan for displaying members` latest products. "Since over 80% of domestic hand-tool manufacturers operate in central Taiwan, a permanent display venue in central Taiwan allows international buyers to conveniently inspect our latest products at one visit," he said.



The association also unveiled its new logo—a "T" pattern in Chinese calligraphic style composed of a grey horizontal stroke on top and a vertical red and a vertical black strokes. The logo replaces the 30-year-old gear pattern.



According to J.K. Lin, chairman of My Hand Industrial Co., Ltd. who came up with the design, the “T” represents Taiwan, tool handle and Taiwan hand tool. "It`s easy to understand the T for Taiwan. As to T for tool handle, it can be figured out from the look. For Taiwan hand tool, you need some imagination. Actually, it is not hard to figure out when you spilt apart the two vertical strokes and lower the horizontal stroke to between," he explained.



Lin added that the three colors represent Taiwanese hand tool industry is transforming to profession-tool specialization from DIY-tool dedication.




(by Ken Liu)