Manila: D and L Industries, Inc., a specialty chemicals and food ingredients manufacturer, is expecting continued exports growth to underpin rising profitability despite global economic uncertainties. In a virtual media briefing Monday, D and L president and chief executive officer Alvin Lao projected healthy cash flows and sustained income growth, citing the company’s plan to ramp up manufacturing activity in its Batangas factory.

According to Philippines News Agency, as part of the efforts to ramp up production in the Batangas plant, the company is focusing on exports and is actively engaging with clients in other countries. This includes attending trade shows and exhibitions to foster business growth. This strategy is enabling D and L to secure new clients in new markets consistently.

The Batangas plant, which represents D and L’s largest capital investment to date, has started contributing to the bottom line more rapidly than initially expected. This has helped the company to mitigate elevated operating and interest costs. D and L reported a 10-percent year-on-year increase in net income for the first quarter of 2025, reaching PHP681 million, driven by stronger demand and operational efficiencies from the Batangas facility.

The plant has already generated PHP246 million in net income for 2024, having turned a profit just a year after commencing operations in July 2023. Management remains optimistic about D and L’s growth prospects, noting that the company’s product portfolio largely caters to basic and essential industries, which supports its relevance in a shifting business landscape and global trade environment.

Despite facing global challenges such as high inflation and geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains, D and L has reaffirmed its commitment to shareholder returns by declaring total dividends of PHP1.52 billion this year, surpassing the PHP1.49 billion dividends in 2024.