Empowering People, Embracing Success

SwissCham Philippines teamed up with Hilti Philippines to host a knowledge-sharing session on “Building Employee Engagement as a Foundation for Business Success” at Robinsons Cyberscape Beta last 16 August 2024. The event centered on the importance of driving innovation and excellence in the manufacturing sector, with a special focus on how Hilti has successfully cultivated a highly engaged team—a key factor in their ongoing success.

The session kicked off with remarks from Daniela San Agustin, Chairperson of the SwissCham Manufacturing Innovation Cluster and President and Managing Director of Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc. where she noted the significance of employee engagement in driving business success and staying competitive.

Ann Bernardino-Lim, General Manager of Hilti Philippines emphasized that “culture is not just a concept; it is the heart of our operations. Our people are our foundation—not just in principle, but in practice.” Ann shared Hilti’s dedication to building a cohesive global team, stressing that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are essential to a thriving workplace. She also highlighted how Hilti’s leaders lead by example with their “Leading from the Front” approach, which fosters ownership, transparency, and active engagement in both business growth and team development.

Johann Barr, Director of Affordable Housing and Technology at the Hilti Foundation, added to the discussion by sharing Hilti’s deep commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. He discussed the company’s efforts to create a better future for disadvantaged families, focusing on building environments where hope and aspirations can flourish. Johann also introduced some innovative solutions, like using bamboo as a sustainable building material, which supports local economies and promotes eco-friendly practices.

For his part, Kent Primor, SwissCham Director of Operations encouraged member-companies to participate, share best practices, and learn from one another. He echoed the speakers point on caring and being responsible – to care for your people is paramount, failure is learning as well, and to own your task is to be responsible with work.

We invite companies in the manufacturing sector to join our Manufacturing Cluster and work together to advocate for industry advancements and sustainable growth. For membership inquiries and further information, please contact us at [email protected].