Pao Jih Seeking To Be Tops in International Shock Absorbers

Established in 1993, Pao Jih Industrial Co. was the first Taiwanese manufacturer to supply aftermarket shock absorbers for Volkswagen autos, and today is an internationally known exporter that ships its products to more than 20 countries. The company, which boasts ISO 9001: 2000 certification, specializes in the production of shock absorbers for both automobiles and motorcycles.



Its reputation for high quality and competitive pricing is winning Pao Jih an increasing number of contract orders from leading international brands such as Federal Mogul and Posji, both of which have decided, after long periods of evaluation, to designate the Taiwanese firm as their local supplier for aftermarket shock absorbers for several European car models. The scope of this cooperation will be steadily expanded in the future.

"We are the first own-brand shock-absorber maker in Taiwan with 100% self-developed technology and materials," claims Pao Jih's chairman and president, Wu Nan-yi. The company's plant in the southern Taiwan city of Tainan employs more than 70 workers and has an annual production capacity of more than 500,000 shock absorbers, many of which are marketed under Pao Jih's own brand, P&J.

The company has developed more than 200 shock models to date, a number that has increased by about 40 models annually in recent years as the firm devotes greater resources to intensive R&D work. One proof of Pao Jih's R&D capability is seen in its victory over numerous other contenders when it was chosen by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense to supply replacement parts for the military's Humvee vehicles.

"Manufacturing shock absorbers is both capital and technology intensive, and our products have to face the use by customers in difficult climatic and road conditions all over the world," Wu comments. "The only way to succeed in this line is to set the highest standards for every production and testing process, assuring that each shock absorber has the highest quality and longest durability. And even that is not enough; before the big orders come in, our products are evaluated for a long period of time by customers worldwide."

Pao Jih has set up a department charged with developing high-end performance-tuning shock absorbers. This move, Wu stresses, will further strengthen his company's R&D capability, enhance its brand image, and upgrade its overall competitiveness in the shock-absorber industry. "We know every detail of a driver's needs," the chairman claims.

The firm's strong R&D capability was shown once again in its introduction of a new mechanism that allows for the adjustment of a shock absorber's length and damping (softness/hardness) rate. This innovative mechanism can be used in performance-tuning shock absorbers to achieve the desired damping performance, and it can improve the damping index of general aftermarket models by up to 30%. This makes for safer and more comfortable driving and prevents the need to change the spring rate and cylinder length of the original shock absorbers.

Pao Jih is not staking its future on automobile and light-motorcycle shock absorbers alone, but is gradually diversifying into products for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), trucks, and heavy motorcycles. (QL)

Please contact the company for more information at: No. 3, Lane 32, Chungcheng 1st Street, Yungkang, Tainan Hsien, Taiwan; tel: (886-6) 254-3297, 254-3298; fax: (886-6) 254-3277; e-mail: paojih@ms35.hinet.net; website: www.pao-jih.com.tw