IT'S OUR TIME TO SHINE
Metals Forge Fast Growing PHL
Metals are the foundation of modern civilization and the driving force of today's industrialization.
From God-given mineral resources, metals find their way, as vital industrial inputs, into the dynamic and fast-growing sectors of today such as food packaging, health, and construction. With their various virtues and properties, metals are also leading the charge as the country grows the second fastest in the ASEAN region.
"Even as the Philippines pursues its goal of becoming an upper-middle income economy by this decade, we strive to uphold truly world-class quality and service excellence," said Dennis Tan, General Manager of Hi-Top Merchandising, Inc. (HTMI), a Filipino company whose strength and competitive edge lie in the wide range of high-quality metals it offers.
"In HTMI, hindi na puede and puede na 'yan mentality, as we aim for our local industries to advance rapidly and become sources of national pride."
At present, modern living has become heavily dependent on Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Copper, Bronze, and Brass, among others.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is used by a wide range of industries, such as medical, machinery, construction, architecture, interior design, and engineering.
Its benefits include flexibility and formability, manufacturing precision, and recyclability.
"HTMI's medical-grade stainless steel helps health practitioners in their mission to save lives. Its ease of maintenance, strength, and durability are crucial for safe and cost-efficient medical usage," Tan said.
This metal has also become an essential part of modern living. Because it is hygienic and non-reactive, it is suitable for kitchen equipment and in the food industry, becoming a favorite among homemakers and restaurant owners.
With its resistance against heat, rust, and corrosion, stainless steel is also credited for the structural integrity of buildings despite harsh environmental conditions, as well as the beautiful facades of skyscrapers.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum is mainly used for construction, cars, and electronics. It is a low-density metal that is durable, malleable, non-magnetic, and is also resistant against corrosion.
Globally, containers and food packaging are the largest market for aluminum, owing to its non-toxic and lightweight properties.
"Aluminum is lighter than steel and stronger than plastic, and has excellent heat conductivity. We have the most complete range of aluminum products, including some of the thickest aluminum plates and the biggest aluminum rods in the industry," Tan said.
HTMI also offers aluminum checkered plates, or metal sheets with raised diamond-like pattern on the surface that results in increased traction and prevents slippage for objects in contact with the plate. Due to its unique aesthetics, it is also ideal for decorative and architectural purposes.
COPPER
The electronics and construction industries are the primary users of copper, specifically in wirings, motors, and industrial machinery.
Known for its reddish-metallic color, this metal is ductile, malleable, and has anti-microbial anti-corrosion properties.
"From doorknobs and electrical wires to musical instruments, every Filipino uses copper daily," Tan said.
Because of its high electrical conductivity, copper is also necessary in power generation and transmission.
HTMI's product portfolio includes tin-plated copper, which may look different but is still 99.9% pure copper.
Tin coating protects the copper from oxidation, corrosion, and discoloration. It also extends the life of copper by up to 10 times.
Tin-Plated Copper is essential for switchgears, switchboards, electrical panels, power transformers, and busducts, among others.
BRASS
Brass is usually used for decorative purposes due to its resemblance to gold. It is known for its bright yellow color, as well as its malleability and durability.
Aside from its aesthetic qualities, brass is often used in machines since it is resistant to spark, is non-magnetic, and is a low-friction alloy.
"HTMI started as one of the first importers of Brass tubes in the Philippines and we have expanded our portfolio of Brass products in our 53 years of operations," Tan said.
BRONZE
Lastly, bronze is a metal alloy that is usually composed of copper and tin. It looks like dull gold with stripes on its surface.
Bronze is an ideal material for bushings, gears, and bearings due to its low metal-on-metal friction.
"HTMI offers one of the widest bronze selections in the country, including aluminum nickel bronze, a type of bronze in which aluminum is the main alloying metal added to copper," Tan said.
Nickel is greatly valuable when combined with other elements, adding strength and corrosion resistance.
Aluminum nickel bronze combines high strength with high resistance to corrosion, making it suitable for highly stressed engineering components in marine, petroleum, and chemicals.
"Our metals go through strict quality control before they even hit our inventory. We take pride in knowing that they will do justice to every project that a Filipino creator envisions,"
Tan said.
HTMI specializes in fabricating perforated metal sheets, expanded metal screens, and embossed checkered plates.
The company also offers value-added services such as waterjet cutting and customization.