Formosa Plastics Group Museum tells story of one of Taiwan’s most prominent companies

A large white cylindrical-shaped building houses an array of historical artifacts, interactive exhibits and natural specimens that tell the story of one of Taiwan’s most prominent companies: Formosa Plastics. The basement level of this sleek institution is a recreation of a New Zealand North Island rainforest, replete with Kauri Pine (plastic, of course) reproductions.

The lobby of this funky-looking structure houses a real, 8.5-ton trunk of kauri pine. Maori tribesmen revered this species of tree for the numerous uses they found for its amber-like resin: chewing gum, rope, furniture and varnish, to name a few. But what is a mighty trunk from the “Lord of the Forest” — as it is known to the Maori — doing in the lobby of a plastics museum?

Chairman Wang Yung-ching (王永慶), one of the wealthiest men in Taiwan, had a particular liking for this species of tree, and the trunk is part of his personal collection of specimens, more of which (in furniture and fossil form) can be found in the jungle simulation on the B1 level.

Furthermore, the venerable chairman saw the wood as a symbol of energy and vitality and, as such, a form of good luck for the company. After taking a stroll down the history lanes of this museum, you will agree that Mr. Wang Yung-ching knows something auspicious when he sees it.

The second floor is devoted largely to the Ching family’s history. The chairman’s mother, who passed away recently at age 108, is modeled working on her farm in Xindian County at the turn of the 20th century.

We also see recreations of a dapper Wang Yung-ching in his teens, riding his bicycle to deliver rice loads as an employee; both of the chairman’s parents are seen drying tea leaves in front of their traditional brick home on the outskirts of Taipei; and finally, the future billionaire is seen sitting at a desk in a wooden house keeping records of the company he has started, while his younger brothers pack and carry rice for delivery.

Fast forward to 1954, when the newly formed Formosa Plastics Corporation secures a US$798,000 loan from the United States Government to begin making Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), the essential component that our water bottles, iPods and DVDs are made out of today.

1|2|Next Page>>

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email