Page 37 - Taiwan Hand Tools 2024-01 Edition

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Industry News

Tools of Tenacity: ools of Tenacity:
T

Taiwan's Hand Tools Industry aiwan's Hand Tools Industry
T

and Its Resilient Dr
and Its Resilient Driveive

By Andrew Hsu
aiwan, the third-largest manufacturing country globally, not only extracted the strengths of both but also addressed
Tboasts an annual production value surpassing US$4 the shortcomings.” Taiwanese manufacturers have inherited
billion. This remarkable output is generated by over 2,300 production efficiency and flexibility from China, combined
hand tools manufacturers on the island, and it holds the with Japan’s unwavering commitment to impeccable quality
prestigious position as the world’s leading OEM for middle
and high-end hand tools.

Since the 1970s, the Taiwanese hand tools industry
emerged out of the need for maintenance during the
Vietnam War. With the geographical proximity of Vietnam,
the US Army assisted in defense and stationed troops at
the Ching-Chuan-Kang Air Force Base. Consequently, hand
tools factories specializing in pickaxes, pliers, hammers,
etc., gradually appeared in Taichung. This marked the
inception of the flourishing industry.

Over the course of nearly 50 years of development,
Taiwan’s proud hand tools industry predominantly consists
of more than 90% small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
Hsiao Fang-Wei, Executive Vice President of the
Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers’ Association (THTMA),
emphasizes the deep technological background of hand
tools practitioners in Taiwan due to this extensive history.
Hsiao further points out that the current “Manufacturing
Culture” in Taiwan has been significantly influenced by Hsiao Fang-Wei, Executive Vice President of the Taiwan Hand Tool
Japan and mainland China. He explains, “That is to say, we Manufacturers’ Association. (Photo courtesy of CENS)

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