The IAPMO Group attended the grand opening of the Taiwan Institute for Plumbing Innovation in Changhua, Taiwan.

IAPMO Group COO and Executive Vice President Dave Viola and IAPMO R&T Executive Vice President of Lab Recognition/Asia Pacific Operations Jin Luo participated in the ribbon cutting at the invitation of Mr. Yih-Dar Wu, Chairman of the Plumbing Association of Taiwan.

In addition to Viola and Luo’s attendance, the institute unveiled a sculpture identifying IAPMO R&T as a sponsor and elsewhere IAPMO R&T is recognized for certifying the first Taiwanese plumbing product for the North American market – a faucet manufactured by Global Union in 1986.

The institute, which incorporates historical displays along with exhibits showcasing local manufacturers’ newest and most innovative products, is intended to promote the region’s unique contributions to the plumbing industry, growing from a local resource to one that now supplies the international market with plumbing products.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 300 special guests and dignitaries, including: Mr. John Chen-chung Deng, Minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs; Mr. Ming-ji Wu, Director General of the Industrial Development Bureau; Mrs. Shu-yuan Lin, Workforce Development Agency Deputy Director of the Taichung - Changhua - Nantou Regional Branch; Mr. Chu-chung Chou, Deputy Magistrate of Changhua County; Mr. Jimmy C.M. Chen, Acting President of the Metal Industries Research & Development Center; Mrs. Wang Hui-mei; and members of the Legislative Yuan, the House of Representatives of Taiwan’s government.

Half museum, half interactive product showroom, the Institute is divided into six sections: “History of the Plumbing Industry,” “Brand Imagination,” “Experience Zone,” “Product Exhibition,” “Innovation and Research Zone,” and “DIY and Marketing Zone.”

“The Plumbing Association of Taiwan and the Taiwanese government bestowed a great honor upon IAPMO by inviting us to participate in this momentous event,” Luo said. “The IAPMO Group is proud of our 30 years helping local Taiwanese manufacturers gain access to the North American market and look forward to continuing this relationship well into the future.”