By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

SIEMENS Philippines hopes to continue dominating the process automation market for the cement industry in the next few years, as the government embarks on a massive infrastructure push.

Siemens Vice-President and Country Division Lead Enrico Z. Buergo said the company is targeting to increase its market share to 83% “in three years’ time, at most” from its current 73%.

“We are targeting to grow and increase process automation market share in cement to 83% in the future,” he said in a recent interview at the sidelines of the Siemens Process Automation Conference and Exhibition (SPACe) at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

“We’re on track… for double digit growth in process automation.”

While the market is saturated, Mr. Buergo believes there is still room to grow.

Among its clients for process automation are Eagle Cement, Holcim Philippines, and Republic Cement.

“The major cement manufacturers, the big players trust our automation systems. We have very good… and customized solutions for the cement industry,” he said.

Siemens Philippines is bullish on the cement industry’s growth, amid increasing demand and as more companies upgrade their systems.

“Especially now with the drive of the government for the golden age of infrastructure, the demand for cement is really very high. For the past years, most of the cement plants were upgrading into the latest control system. Until now, the upgrades are still on-going. A couple of companies putting up new lines… The trust is there with the plans of doing higher level of automation,” Mr. Buergo said.

With the demand for higher output and productivity, Mr. Buergo noted the cement firms will “surely go for digitalization.”

Next to cement, the food and beverage, and sugar industries are the biggest markets of Siemens in the country.

Siemens General Manager for Water and Waste Water Industry Markus Lade said the company is looking at other industries for expansion.

“We are looking at certain vertical markets, such as chemicals, pharmacy, solar, and minerals, to support them with industry-specific solutions for their automation and digitalization,” Mr. Lade said during the same interview.

In particular, Mr. Lade said the water sector has some room for growth. Siemens Philippines counts both Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water, Inc. as its clients.

“Water is 24/7 business, with issues such as security of supply. It is a difficult business. So you can say there is still potential for efficiency gain,” Mr. Lade said.

Friedhiem Geiger, Siemens General Manager for Process Automation and Engineering for ASEAN, said the Philippines and Vietnam have the best growth potentials in the region, especially with increased investments across many industries.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR