MEXICO CITY — Taiwanese companies mounted 20 stands at Plastimagen/Transplast 99, giving the Far Eastern nation the largest foreign delegation apart from the United States.
About half the Taiwanese firms were on a scouting mission to sound out the possibilities of the Mexican market, said Kevin Chang of Taipei-based San Hsin Plastic Mold Co. Ltd., makers of blow molding and injection molding equipment.
``This is San Hsin's first time here,'' said Chang. ``Things are very depressed in Southeast Asia at the moment, so we have to find new markets to conquer.''
Another first-timer in Mexico was Tony Chu, manager of the Taichung-based Pacific Machinery Co. Ltd., which makes automatic direct-injection machinery for multicolor footwear. ``Mexico seems like a country where manufacturing has a future, so it could represent an interesting market for us,'' said Chu. ``This time, though, my main mission is to look and learn.''
Not all the Taiwanese were newcomers, however. Sales manager Robert M.J. Chan said his Kung Hsing Plastic Machinery Co. Ltd. had clinched more than 200 sales during a 10-year presence in Mexico.
``Our prices are keen, and there's no doubt that's helped us to build steady growth in Mexico — that and the presence at all times of a local representative,'' said Chan.