Firms get tech transfer assistance from DOST

For 2019, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has released P8.55 million worth of technology transfer assistance to three companies under its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup).

The approved projects were for Lactobiotics Worldwide Corp., Global Dimensions Company and JKQ Uniform Solutions.

Lactobiotics Worldwide Corp. has collaborated with the DOST to upgrade its water purification and packaging technologies for the production of its various lactobacillus-based probiotic drinks.

Lactobiotics is a Cebu-based company that develops the Lacto Pafi probiotic health drink.

DOST Cebu, likewise, assisted in the upgrade of the compressed air system and wooden cabinet production technology for Global Dimension Company Inc. in West Binabag, Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.

It also assisted Lapu-Lapu City-based JKQ Uniform Solutions Inc. in upgrading its embroidery technology for clothing production.

Setup provides equipment and technical assistance to enable them to increase sales and production, streamline and improve over- all operations, upgrade the quality of products and services and conform to national and international standards of excellence.

Last year, Abando said the agency through the Setup assisted 15 companies in Cebu with a total technology transfer assistance amounting to P27 million.

One of the projects approved last year was that of Cebu-based Budget Builders Inc. (BBI).

BBI inked an agreement with the DOST in January to upgrade its woodworking technology in the production of wooden doors.

BBI is a 50-year-old family-owned corporation based in Cogon, Pardo, Cebu City. The business has been engaged in the lumber trade and the manufacture of various wood products like solid doors, flush doors, mouldings, kitchen door panels, custom-made doors and treated wood.

DOST Cebu Director Tristan Abando said the company reached out to DOST because it planned to increase its market share and widen its reach in the next two years.

The agency said the company wanted to maintain its stature of being a consistent provider of quality doors.

According to Abando, the door line department of BBI has a current capacity of 20,000 units per month.

To increase its production capacity, BBI needs to upgrade its existing machinery in manufacturing wooden doors.

The project introduced BBI to a computer numerical control (CNC) router and CNC panel saw to increase production and high precision wood parts preparation. This improved productivity, increased product quality and reduced rejects of wooden doors.

BBI also enrolled in the Manufacturing Productivity Extension program. /