SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The construction of a manufacturing facility for a $10-million project to produce branded shoes for export is now in progress here.
Datian Subic Shoes Inc. is building its own plant in a 42,800-square-meter area at Phase II of the Subic Bay Gateway Park here.
The firm will produce branded vulcanized shoes for export and is expected to generate additional jobs for communities around the free port.
The company has committed to employ about 400 workers initially, its full operations expected after three to five years of steady growth and will employ about 2,500 employees.
Datian Subic president Vincent Chen said like its parent company, D&T Shoes, the Subic company will be producing shoes under global brands such as Keds, Converse, Sperry, and Vans for the American market, as well as Hugo Boss and Dr. Martens for the European market.
Chen said Datian Subic Shoes “is actually patterned after its parent company with plenty of lines for stitching, and has its own rubber compounding, outsoles molding, insoles and arches sponging, rubber gluing and foxing operations.
These local operations will ensure an average production of at least 350,000 pairs of shoes per month, Chen said.
He added considering the necessary adjustments on the project components, development schedule, and arrival of equipment and construction materials, the company is anticipating to begin its operations on or before the second quarter of 2017.