The Metal Industries Research and Development Centre (MIRDC) hosted the series of symposiums titled "Manufacturing's New Definition: Local Industries × Smart Transformation", with the third session successfully concluding at the National Yunlin University of Science & Technology (YunTech) on October 30, attracting experts and industry players from government, academia, and the private sector. Chia-Ju Liu, Chairman of MIRDC, stated that at this pivotal moment for industrial transformation, MIRDC combines policy implementation with technology R&D. The Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) offers support through the Academic-Industry Local Industry Innovation Value-Addition Project, laying emphasis on material localization, integration of virtual and physical processes, and innovative design applications. The goal is to assist the hand tool industry in grasping the keys to transformation such as product differentiation, smart processes, and value-added design capability.
Lieh-Chuan Lin, Vice President of MIRDC, stated that Taiwan's hand tool industry has established a comprehensive cluster and industry chain, with an annual output exceeding NT$100 billion. In the face of global competition and impacts from reciprocal tariffs, it can only conquer the challenges and expand into diverse markets by moving towards high value. The team led by Deputy Director General Yung-Cheng Wu, comprised of Team Leader Yuan-Chih Lin, Engineer Tsan-Hsun Chang, Project Manager Chien-Hua Lee, and others, deserves praise for assisting the local industrial chain to remain abreast of technological innovation. In addition, they established the Hand Tools R&D Testing Center in collaboration with the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association (THTMA), building a cooperative model for long-term interaction with the industry. Liang-Tzu Lai, Honorary Chairman of THTMA and President of Jaco International Corporation, pointed out that the hand tools industry serves as the most essential foundation in manufacturing. He expressed gratitude to the government, academia, and research sectors for their "unwavering support". Their investment of R&D resources and innovative assets has led the industry towards constant transformation and upgrade. Chuan-Yu Chang, President of YunTech, suggested that hand tool manufacturers looking to enhance their competitiveness and product value can exchange ideas through the government-academia-industry research platform. This can help them find the best strategies from R&D and design to marketing.
Yen-Chen Wu, Vice Chairperson of Lee Yeong Industrial Co., Ltd., said that the company provides hand tool solutions for construction and repair, simultaneously targeting high-end markets in Europe, America, and Japan, successfully raising the bar for competitors. Ming-Hua Li, President of Eclatorq Technology Co., Ltd., remarked that the company serves as a model of government-academia-industry integration, including cooperation with MIRDC to accumulate multiple digital hand tool patented technologies and smart torque solutions. It accompanies clients to seize new business opportunities in electric vehicles, robotics, and healthcare. Deng-Chuan Cai, Dean of the College of Design at National YunTech, shared the co-creation outcomes and award-winning works from industry-academia collaboration, asserting that innovation drives change! During the general exchange phase, Yung-Cheng Wu, Deputy Director General of MIRDC, commended the three companies for their courage to integrate government-academia-industry resources, proposing novel strategies in technology, design, or business models. They act as examples worth emulating in Taiwan's hand tool sector.
The afternoon symposium focused on practical technological applications. MIRDC Engineer Tsan-Hsun Chang introduced advanced forging technologies developed by the team, including Composite Forging for producing precision near-net-shape forging; Multi-Action Forging for achieving horizontal multi-axial forging; Compensated Forging which precision reaches cutting levels; and Isothermal Forging that can predict post-forging grain flow before mold testing. Together with the High-Precision Intelligent Compensated Forging Forming System—the first of its kind in Taiwan, these successfully assist business users in responding to the challenges of order diversification through parametric design software, enhancing production efficiency by up to 20 times! Dr. Hsiao-Hung Hsu, Engineer at the Iron and Steel R&D Department, China Steel Corporation, mentioned that by consolidating China Steel's technical capabilities with MIRDC's R&D resources, they have produced energy-saving, low-carbon green steel for hand tools, likewise helping manufacturers to increase product added value and establish differentiation advantages to overcome competition in the red ocean market. Shih-Ying Chang, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, YunTech, discussed the crucial and extensive role of laser technology combined with AI and sensors in alloy material bonding and surface treatment. Finally, Chun-Jung Chang, Manager of EasyMotors Co., Ltd., revealed the future vision of mobility and home powered via green energy, with the physical display of the hybrid small vehicle PLEV#1.
The competitiveness of Taiwan's hand tool industry is evolving from traditional OEM to high-value design, an all-inclusive upgrade. In recent years, it has actively redefined its value and global market position through the simultaneous approach of Design Capability and Smart Manufacturing, turning into a trendsetter.