TECHNOLOGY firm Wacom is looking to grow its business in the Philippines by at least 30% this year as it expects increased demand for its products citing the country’s position as a new art talent hub.
“There is an increasing demand for Filipino artists which means more demand [for our products]… the Philippines last year was the top source of artists in the ASEAN for major studios,” Antonius Malabanan, Wacom country manager for the Philippines, said during the launch 10 new products. “We’re targeting 30% growth in sales this year.”
The 35-year-old Japanese firm, which offers intuitive and natural user interface technologies used in smartphones and tablets for creatives, started its Philippine operations 20 years ago. The Philippines is its third top market in the region, after Thailand and Indonesia.
“There’s a need of 5,000 new artists in the next three years just to meet the demand of work from abroad,” Mr. Malabanan noted.
He added company’s target market in the Philippines are both consumer and the growing creative segment, also with the introduction of the K-12 program which offers creative courses.
Wacom Senior Director for Sales (Southeast Asia and South Asia) Ong Khiaw Seng, for his part, said that the long-term plan is to double its sales in the country as the animation industry in the Philippines is also growing.
“Long term or the next five years, we target to double (our revenue,” Mr. Seng said, although he did not disclose the financials of the company.
Historically, its most in-demand product is its entry-level Intous product — a line of creative pen tablets used by for drawing, sketching and photo activities.
Its new products include Wacom pen computers, pen displays, pen tablets, smartpads, and consumer-range line of styli for different creative needs.
The company sold 4,000 units in 2015 and 6,000 units last year. — I.C.C. Delavin
