Micro-enterpreneur uses innovation to pump prime his business

Being a micro-enterprise does not prevent one from being innovative and use technology to drive its business to success.

Mr. Ramsey Rom inspects the mixer

Lersey Hardware and Construction Supply, in Inasuyan, Kawayan, Biliran has proven that even a micro business producing concrete hollow blocks can adopt technology to pump prime its business operation. Mr. Ramsey Rom, proprietor of LHCS has currently doubled its output with the adoption of mechanized mixer and molder for the production  of 4 inches and 6 inches concrete hollow blocks (CHB). On top of this, Mr. Rom adopted a material formulation for hollow blocks production that is proven by research to increase the strength of the finished product. 

Mr. Rom declared that he started producing concrete hollow blocks by purely manual process using just a single CHB molder and a pair of shovels obtained from his friend. With the help of the Department of Science and Technology Region 8 through the Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, LHCS acquired a 1-bagger mixer powered by 5hp motor and 2 semi-mechanized molders one each for 4" CHB and 6" CHB. With this improvement the firm can produce at least 8,000 pcs of CHB a month from just about 4,000 pcs with manual mixing and molding. 

Mr. Rom shows his original old molder

The openness to innovative ideas also made Mr. Rom to try the use of additive materials such as molasses for the formulation used in CHB production. He, has optimized his formulation based on his simple research through various trials. 

The workers were thankful for the acquisition of the machines as the lightened up their load and eased up their work. "It really made our works easier and faster", the laborer commented in Bisaya with a smile in  an a gesture of gratitude when asked by PSTC how do they feel about the equipment.

With the upgrading of its capability, Mr. Rom confidently say that he can now supply the requirements of local market. Furthermore, he stated, he is now ready to supply for larger government projects through the PhilGEPS.