DOST 7 SET-UP Product Catalogue - DOST 7! - Department of ...

Hermes Metal and Construction Services
From Ship To Shore
Hermogenes Comahig is an Electrical Engineer, Chief Electrician for 13 years aboard a shipping vessel. While on
board, he believed that another skill would not only enhance his qualifications but will provide additional income
and come in handy when he retires. Hermes learned welding while on board the ship, performed welding tasks
and got paid for it, in addition to his regular job. Thus, begun his combined career as electrician cum welder.
True enough, this additional skill as a welder became
the backbone of his retirement plan. Upon retirement,
Hermes went back to Bohol, his hometown. After
undertaking business ventures in lending and transport-tricycle,
he established Hermes Metal and
Construction Services, a Metal Fabrication Shop in
1994. Started as a backyard shop, only one welder
fabricated lawn chairs, plant racks, swing, see-saw,
and other small metal products.
Two years after, Hermes organized the Bohol
Association of Metal Industry (BAMI) composed
of 16 metal working industries as members. He
was elected President for two terms. The move
was designed to professionalize the industry and
standardize prizes of fabrication and welding jobs
in Tagbilaran. Hermes also represented the group
in its national counterpart, the Metalworking Industry
Association of the Philippines (MIAP), where he
was elected Vice-President for a one-year term.
This involvement led him to the path of DOST.
After learning that DOST provides assistance to
SMEs, Hermes secured a form, filed and forgot
about it. It took him almost a year to seriously work
on the application. He was motivated by his need
to upgrade the wrought iron bending and forming
technology in his shop. With upgraded technology,
Hermes expected that production time for the
fabrication of wrought iron products will be reduced
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DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VII
Product Catalogue 2011
by 50%, from an average of two weeks to one
week fabrication time. Ultimately, gross sales would
increase.
Hermes Metal and Construction Services was assisted
by SET-UP. Technology upgrade was made possible
through the purchase of equipment from the assistance-
the heavy-duty pipe bender and wrought iron
forming equipment. Prior to this equipment acquisition,
shapes were not perfect and bending jobs were
contracted. Hermes noted that, “Customers go back
because of the bender na klaro and its smooth finish.”
Satisfied customers do not mind paying a higher price
for quality workmanship.
Aside from the shape, the working hours were reduced
by half the original time. Another equipment, the heavyduty
sander, provided the much-needed support to the
existing portable sanders needed to complete orders
on time, which had doubled. Due to such upgrading of
equipment, the objectives of the SET-UP assistance
were met. Production volume increased by 30%-40%
and gross sales, by more than 15%.
Starting with only four workers, two welders and two
helpers, the shop has now four welders, six helpers,
on-the-job trainees, a secretary, and a driver.
Inasmuch as demand is fluctuating due to direct
contract with architects for metal fabrication jobs,
diversification and advertising are the strategies
currently being employed.
Hermes’ plan to diversify into fabricating other metal
furniture has started to take shape. Orders have been
made for tv cabinet, plant stand, and wrought iron gate.
Quality is being maintained since quality is what truly
matters to his customers. Iskaya, an exclusive highend
resort and Bohol Tropics, another famous hotel in
Bohol, are among the satisfied customers of Hermes’
Shop. The long list continues through referrals. He
also gets customers through the internet and business
is done through email.
Hermes believes that people should not be judged by
their looks and that every individual has God-given
abilities which must be allowed to grow. That is why
he allows his workers to do their work with minimum
supervision but clear instructions. He added that if
you look over their shoulders all the time, they will
be committing more mistakes.
Retirement has been a busy yet relaxing time for
Hermes, being now in his beloved Bohol. His experience
in the ship truly paid off in the shore.
Hermes Metal and
Construction Services
4 Lamdagan St. Cogon District
Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Engr. Hermogenes Comahig
Proprietor
Tel No: (63)(38) 412 4057
Mobile: 0919 243 7928
Email: hermescomahig@yahoo.com