‘We’ve enabled Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation to participate in the betterment of humanity through our semiconductor capabilities, as well as our communication infrastructure devices’: Brian Gregory Liu, CEO

“A highly curated collection of manufacturing styles and capabilities, as well as a plethora of in-house talent, has provided Cirtek with a revolutionary platform that makes it truly unique and nearly un-replicable.”

Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corporation is a fully integrated technology company, engaged in high-technology product development which focuses on 5G wireless communication. It serves clients from around the world.

The company manufactures and sells semiconductor packages as an independent subcontractor for outsourced semiconductor assembly, offers test and packaging services; manufactures value-added, highly integrated technology products; and designs and ensures the smooth development and delivery of the wireless industry's most advanced high-efficiency, high-performance antenna solutions.

Cirtek Holdings is headquartered in Santa Rosa, the Philippines.

As a journalist, I find Cirtek Holdings quite striking. From the emotional branding standpoint to the high energy and motivation I felt just talking with the Chief Executive Officer, Brian Gregory Liu, Cirtek stands out. It’s the sense of pride I get just doing this interview and learning about the company.

Interview Highlights

Q. How would you describe your career journey so far, and what inspired the creation of Cirtek Holdings?

I established Cirtek Holdings back in February of 2011, as I foresaw the probability of significant technological evolution on the horizon up ahead. As innovation makes its way through various markets and industries across the board, I anticipated the technology sector to play a significant role in the ever-changing world. As electronics play a more crucial role in our everyday lives, technology has now shifted from being a luxury to a way of life. While this is the case, there is one constant that remains true. None of the evolution in technology would be possible without the innovation of semiconductors. It is the continuous evolution in semiconductors that has fueled the disruption of the world allowing humanity to prosper and reach further. It is this very reason that inspired me to create Cirtek Holdings. Through its establishment, we have enabled the company to participate in the betterment of humanity through our semiconductor capabilities, as well as our communication infrastructure devices. My journey has been a wonderful experience of discovery and exploration that continue to lead me across new frontiers.

Setbacks are a part of every growing business. Tell us about a few roadblocks and learning lessons that helped you and the company grow through the years.

The Covid-19 pandemic, I would say “stormed in” and completely changed the world. This unpredictable maelstrom of a catastrophe took all businesses by surprise, serving as a massive shakeout to all industries across the board. The pandemic has surely acted as one of the most significant and unexpected roadblocks that have taught me a lesson throughout my journey. It catalyzed key improvements in our management style, prompting us to pivot into higher efficiency techniques focused on operations to preserve profitability. As if lockdowns were not enough, the supply chain bottleneck likewise caused raw materials to surge and prompted difficulty in procurement due to delays and port congestions. I was quick to act on alleviating this by tapping into our vast supply chain network. Through healthy relations with key suppliers, we were able to mitigate any supply chain bottlenecks and delays, allowing our production to remain smooth and rampant. This enabled Cirtek to continue providing technology products and services to our clients throughout the pandemic and the events that ensued. With all these challenges and learning lessons that occurred, Cirtek has been tested and retested multiple times on its capability to weather out various types of headwinds, and it is through this track record that has allowed Cirtek Holdings to gain the unflinching trust that our clients and business partners endow upon us. As one knows, no company can grow without the trust of its customers and partners.

Q. When it comes to longevity, Cirtek has it. I find it unique that an organization has what it takes to continue to offer services for almost 40 years. How did your company continue to adapt? 

Through proper foresight and management, Cirtek Holdings has continuously evolved with the times, establishing the necessary technology and manufacturing capabilities that provide us with a solid foundation, making us inseparable from our clients and business partners. We offer technological products and services that are somewhat bespoke and nearly un-replicable. Cirtek’s technology and highly diversified product portfolio exposes us to multiple segments in the semiconductor industry such as RF & communications, computing, sensing, aerospace, automotive, and many more. There are still other segments on the horizon that have yet to be engaged, hence further room for growth. Through our highly diverse product portfolio and wide client base, Cirtek Holdings continue to weather out market cyclicality as well as headwinds across the horizon, allowing us to stay resilient even in the face of crisis and disaster.

Q. What makes your technology platform revolutionary?

Our technology platform exhibits a revolutionary setup that makes it unique from anyone else. We have skin in the game when it comes to the semiconductor industry, and likewise, exposure to the ever-evolving 5G communications front through our telecom infrastructure equipment, and all this is possible through our in-house platform. A highly curated collection of manufacturing styles and capabilities, as well as a plethora of in-house talent, has provided Cirtek with a revolutionary platform that makes it truly unique and nearly un-replicable.

Brian Gregory Liu, CEO | In His Own Words

Before even starting my journey on the technological front, I dabbled and engaged in multiple industries. I had the opportunity to work at a boutique financial house as an asset manager and analyst. I also had the chance to dabble in the real estate segment through niche build and sell projects for residential townhouses. I also worked at Domino’s Pizza as a pizza maker. But taking on a more hands-on approach is when I began working in the semiconductor production line, thereby jumpstarting my journey on the technological front.

I started out on the process engineering side, babysitting new semiconductor builds and qualifications until ramping up to mass production. I found it as a necessary step in learning the technical side of things before moving on to rather customer fronting roles. From there, I further engaged in sales as well as business development roles, giving me the chance to complement the technicals with the human aspect. It is at this point that I realized how much of a necessary pillar technology serves in the evolution of the world, and that is when I decided to embark on my current journey. To simply have the chance to participate and contribute to the betterment of mankind is a true honor in itself, which I value significantly. Our time in this world doesn’t last forever, on the contrary, it is rather temporary, hence it is this principle that fuels my direction to participate and contribute to the world’s evolution through the frontier of technology. 

“We have skin in the game when it comes to the semiconductor industry, and likewise, exposure to the ever-evolving 5G communications front through our telecom infrastructure equipment, and all this is possible through our in-house platform.”