BESA, Leo B.

MANLY PLASTICS INC.

The company was established in the year 1964 by Co Bun Ting. Since their establishment, they
had an unbroken lineage of plastic mold engineering. They are entrusted by many Asia-Pacific largest
brands. Some of the clients they serve: Automotive: Mitsubishi Motors, Toyota; Appliances: Carrier,
Condura, Panasonic; Logistics: Alaska, Royal Cargo, Mead Johnson; Beverages: Coca-cola and Pepsi. This
company was the largest facility we ever set our foot on.
Before a plastic is molded, you need to have a mold first. Molds are made of huge chunks of iron
imported from outside the country and shaped by carbide cutters or by electrical means. Before turning
the iron into molds, the design team first makes a 2D representation of the product they want. From 2D,
it is then passed to another team where it will be compiled and turned into a 3D design. The client has the
option to give their own design or choose from the designs of the team. After the design has been
approved by the boards and the client, it will now be ready for production.
After the mold is made, it is still subject to further testing for possible design revisions. The mold
is then inserted to a powerful pressing machine which is also a plastic injector. Plastic pellets are molten
and injected into the molds. After injection, the machine will press the molds with a tremendous force
and after that, voila, your design is now made. It is then cooled and be readied for further furnishing.
Excess iron from cutting the iron molds are collected and transported to local junkshops.
Wastewater from the cutters are also treated and recycled to be used again. Plastic wastes, excesses from
the pressing machine are recycled and molten by a plastic recycler where it will be turned to plastic pellets
for reuse. The company is ISO 14004:2004 EMS certified. It develops and implements policies that have
significant environmental impact.
The tour started from the storage warehouse where their raw materials are stored. Then we went
into the Design Department where the designers gave us an insight how a product is created. From plastic
injection simulations and 3D designs. From the design department, we moved to where the iron molds
were created. Calcium carbide cutters and electric cutters came into action. The iron molds are sent to
pressing machines where the plastic was injected. Plastics molded are still subject to further polishing to
meet the client’s demands.
When we arrived, we were gladly met by the plant supervisor and their HR people. We were given
earpieces each, to hear the plant supervisor’s voice during the tour. We first visited the plant’s raw
materials warehouse; plastic pellets are encased in huge plastic bags lifted by forklifts. Then we continued
to the place where they designed the molds in 3D to meet the client’s requirements. After that, we went
to the place where the iron blocks are cut into molds. We then went to the other warehouse where they
keep their pressing machines and the plastic injection takes place. Plastics made were sorted manually for
inspection of possible rejects.
The company is very strict in using PPE’s since they have very sensitive machineries that cost
millions. The plant is very hot that water faucets with cold water are installed in every corner. Workers
are subject to high dehydration. Most factory workers are male but in sorting the products and checking
for quality, women are mostly employed.

My tendency in working at Manly Plastics: 4/10

Although they need new recruits, and they are consistently expanding their plant’s capacity. I
can’t see myself working there. The environment’s condition is harsh (too hot). And I think that I will be
of better use to another plants.