Foreign buyers ask Taiwan to sterilize before export

Taipei, May 13, 2003 (CENS)--Growing numbers of foreign buyers are requiring suppliers in Taiwan to sterilize their products and containers before export to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to some major local exporters.

Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd., a leading door lock maker, recently said that some U.S. customers have asked the firm to stop dispatching officials to their companies and to negotiate business by phone, e-mail or video conferencing. Tong Lung added that some customers have also required them to sterilize products and containers before shipment.

Tong Lung vice president Tsai Ken-dong said that his company would do everything possible to meet customer requirements related to SARS. The company has also mapped out an emergency operation plan at plants in Taiwan.

Tsai said that his company has secured some contracts with foreign customers through video conferencing in the past few days.

Her Chee Industrial Co., Ltd., a leading exporter of powered two wheelers and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), said that some of its customers in the North America have required the company to sterilize the pallets and packing materials before shipment.

Her Chee vice president Wang Chao-ching said that his company's ATV exports to the U.S. market was not influenced by SARS last month, in which Her Chee had revenue of NT$84.27 million (US$2.43 million at US$1:NT$34.7), a 27% gain from the same month last year. Her Chee's revenue in the first four months, however, fell to NT277 million (US$7.98 million), down11.9% from the same period last year.

Compex International Co., Ltd., a leading exporter of outdoor recreational furniture, said that its customers have not required product sterilization before shipment. Compex exports most of its products to North America.

Jaung Yuann Enterprise Co., Ltd., a major exporter of stainless steel pipe, plate and coil products, recently said that its exports to the U.S. currently account for only about 2% of its total production and none of its customers in the region has required shipment sterilization yet. Jaung Yuann claimed that SARS has not impacted its sales in the most recent two months. The company had revenue of NT$274 million (US$7.9 million) last month, up 19.45% from the same period last year, and NT$1.03 billion (US$29.68 million) in the first four months this year, up 30.25%.