A hole-in-one for HERZ
HERZ quality hits the mark in the Philippines

Consisting of over 7,000 islands, the country of the Philippines, with a total area of 343,000 km², is the fifth largest island state in the world. The country was discovered in 1521 during the reign of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor from the House of Habsburg, and named after his son, the later King Philip II of Spain. The archipelago was under Spanish rule until 1898 and only freed itself from the subsequent American colonial rulers in 1946. HERZ has been active in the Philippine market since 2018 and has since enjoyed strong demand for European HERZ quality. HERZ Pressure Independent Control Valves and the all-rounder HerzCON are in particularly high demand in the Philippine market.

The new heroes – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)

The Philippines has a special economic structure: in addition to the service sector, which plays a major role in the Philippine economy, followed by the industrial sector, labour migration also plays an important role for the national economy. Many skilled workers leave the country to work abroad and send money to their families. It is not for nothing that the government refers to the so-called Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) as ‘the new heroes’. According to the 2023 survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Filipinos living abroad, around 2.16 million Filipinos work abroad. The majority of them are women who, as caregivers and domestic workers, provide for the basic needs of their children, who they leave in the care of relatives or acquaintances.

A changing market: the focus on European quality

"After the pandemic-related construction freeze, the Philippine market is on the move again. Initially, the focus was on civil construction work, but now the mechanical sector is coming into focus, and HERZ is at the forefront with its solutions." says Armando Valo Jr., HERZ Middle East Country Manager for the Philippines.

The Philippines are undergoing a transformation: the change from conventional valves to precise and efficient PICV (Pressure Independent Control Valves) systems is the focus of many projects. The ease of installation, efficiency and precise control of HERZ products are particularly appreciated.

"In addition to their quality, our products stand out due to their easy installation. HerzCON in particular has been in high demand since the beginning, mainly due to its compact design. This offers a decisive advantage, as space in suspended ceilings is often limited." says Armando Valo Jr. and adds: "The Philippine market is increasingly developing towards European quality standards. While some developers continue to rely on low-cost Chinese products, we have seen increased demand for high-quality solutions in recent years – and this is precisely where HERZ comes into play."

Most recently, more than 1,600 HERZ products, including HerzCON and Pressure Independent Control Valves, were used in the Philippines to ensure precise and efficient control of the new Solaire North hotel complex in Metro Manila.

Hole-in-One in Networking: HERZ Fun Golf Challenge

In the Philippines, golf is more than just a sport – it is a platform for business contacts. HERZ came to this realisation after attending numerous trade fairs. "We regularly took part in trade fairs in the Philippines, but quickly realised that the decision-makers in the industry were less likely to be found there. That's why we decided to organise our own golf tournament that specifically targeted executives and decision-makers." explains Armando Valo Jr. in an interview with HERZ News. Positive feedback and lasting contacts confirmed the strategy of establishing golf as an annual networking event. The tournament not only strengthened relationships, but also anchored HERZ in the minds of the participants as a committed partner. To speak in golfing terms: A hole-in-one for HERZ.

A journey into the world of HERZ

In November, guests from the Philippines had the opportunity to delve deep into the world of HERZ. In addition to the company headquarters in Vienna, they also visited the production facilities in Kemeten, Pinkafeld and Rohrbach. They not only experienced the impressive production processes, but were also able to make their own souvenir out of brass alloy.

"We experienced how a foundry works and how valves that ensure comfort and efficiency are manufactured." reported one enthusiastic participant. The opportunity to experience the quality and precision of HERZ products up close left a lasting impression – and the waiting list for similar visits from the Philippines continues to grow.