As Taiwan’s leading exporter of toolboxes with half a century of industry experience, Machan International Co., Ltd. recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary on October 18th in Waipu District, Taichung City. The company also marked the grand opening of its Sustainable Smart Factory, a state-of-the-art facility that integrates AI smart manufacturing, automation, and green building principles. This milestone reflects Machan's commitment to green sustainability and intelligent manufacturing. The event was attended by nearly 1,300 distinguished guests, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-Lung, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen, Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Chiang Chi-Chen, legislators Ho Hsin-Chun, Yang Chiung-Ying, Yen Kuan-Heng, Liao Wei-Hsiang, as well as prominent industry leaders, corporate representatives, foreign dignitaries, and local community elders. This gathering of political and business leaders made it a landmark event for the industry.
Founded in 1976 by Mr. Chang Chiu-Lung, Machan started as an OEM manufacturer of office furniture. It later transitioned to developing professional toolboxes and a wide range of storage cabinets. Over two decades ago, it launched its own brands for hand tools and medical furniture, exporting to over 70 countries worldwide. Due to his outstanding achievements, Mr. Chang was honored as a Role Model for Young Entrepreneurs in the 14th National Awards. In 2020, while still in good health and sharp mind, Mr. Chang passed the role of Chairman to his eldest son, Mr. Chang Ting-Wei. This successful generational transition has become a case study admired by many entrepreneurs. To commemorate Machan's 50th anniversary, Founder Chang and Chairman Chang compiled their entrepreneurial journey, transformation, succession, and digitalization strategies into a book titled "Legacy: Machan's 50 Years of Bold Excellence", which was shared with the guests during the event.
During his speech, Chairman Chang Ting-Wei emphasized, “The best way to celebrate the past is to invest in the future.” He highlighted that talent is the key to a company’s future competitiveness, and education is the best investment. To this end, he announced a donation of USD 300,000 to the Asia Bridge Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Taichung. The foundation connects the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States with Tunghai University in Taichung, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and developing technology professionals with international perspectives and practical skills. Chairman Chang expressed his hope for Taichung to become a model city for cultivating global tech talent, driving educational innovation, and advancing industrial transformation. Machan’s generous contribution aims to support the foundation in building a top-tier talent development program tailored to the needs of the local industry in central Taiwan.
Chairman Chang also underscored that the new factory represents a NT$1.7 billion investment and is dedicated to building an advanced, flexible, and intelligent manufacturing facility. Machan is undergoing a complete transformation from traditional OEM manufacturing to becoming a “Comprehensive Space Application Solutions Provider.” In the future, its product lines will expand from professional tool chests to include smart medical devices, energy storage solutions, and various electronic cabinets. This new facility is expected to generate NT$1.5 to NT$2 billion in additional annual output value and create over 200 high-quality job opportunities for the Waipu and greater Taichung area. Beyond production, the factory is equipped with various energy-saving and carbon-reduction facilities, employee dormitories, and recreational spaces, demonstrating Machan’s commitment to ESG principles. The company aims to grow alongside the local community, fostering a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
