Opportunities and Challenges in mapping out strategies facing Taiwanese welded carbon steel pipe industry post signing of ECFA

• Main Authors: Lin, Yi-Hsien, 林怡嫺
• Other Authors: Shih, Chin-Tay
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/20793322561987875470

碩士 === 國立清華大學 === 經營管理碩士在職專班 === 103 === Welded carbon steel pipe industry has existed in Taiwan for nearly 60 years, and thus making it an already mature product category. However, in recent years, Taiwan has seen itself in the middle of an economic downturn, combine that with a lack of major infrastructure projects, as well as industry migration to other less developed countries, all reasons which contributed to the gradual decline in output in many piping categories. A good example of that would be pipes used in furniture and automobile. Of course while the industry migration is taking shape, Taiwanese makers are also making moves to build offshore production base in order to better service its customers at on site locations. Currently, one of the biggest challenges facing Taiwanese pipe makers today is the pending agreement of ECFA, because once the agreement is officially signed between the two parties, the Ministry of Commerce will be forced to open up in excess of 200 plus steel categories to China, among them the welded carbon steel pipe category. Thus, if the Taiwanese steel pipe makers cannot raise its bar from a technical standpoint and develop higher quality product, or basically drive differentiation in its product range, then for sure they will be facing an uphill battle against the Chinese manufacturers who may flood the market with lower priced products. Given the competitive environment facing Taiwanese steel makers, how should these makers respond in order to maintain its viability? This study will focus on the challenges facing Taiwanese welded carbon steel pipe makers amidst the passing of ECFA, to devise strategy and offer suggestions to these makers in order to assist them to achieve sustainability.