Frequently asked questions

Why are you called ToolTwist?

In 2008, we built an eCommerce engine for PCMall, a top-50 online retailer with $2 billion in annual revenue. They faced three key challenges:

Calculating prices quickly for over 1 million daily visitors.
Updating the site rapidly during peak periods like Black Friday.
Non-technical marketers needed to change the website fast.

We created ToolTwist, a website design tool that allowed non-tech savvy marketing teams to craft webpages using widgets, which were then merged with pricing data every 15 minutes to generate a static site with sub-second response times.

ToolTwist was a code generator and design tool with a unique approach - a tool with a twist. Although the original product is no longer used due to advances in computing power and simpler website designs, our company name remains as a testament to our innovative heritage.

Where are you located?

ToolTwist was founded in Hong Kong, where our founders have extensive experience and expertise. We initially chose Hong Kong as our headquarters due to its familiarity and the appeal of British common law, which many customers preferred for contract purposes.

However, as global events unfolded, we recognized the importance of diversification. In response to uncertainty surrounding Hong Kong's future, we opened an alternative office in Singapore. This strategic move ensured business continuity and expanded our reach across Asia.

Today, we operate head offices in both Hong Kong and Singapore, while maintaining a thriving development center in the Philippines.

What is so special about Clark, Philippines?

Located 90 km north of Manila, our main development center is situated in the thriving business park of Clark, Pampanga. This strategic hub offers a unique blend of cultural and economic advantages that make it an ideal location for software development.

Clark Airforce Base was once the world's largest airforce base outside the United States, playing a significant role in shaping the economy, education, and culture of Pampanga. After being returned to the Philippines, the base was transformed into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), offering tax and customs benefits to attract foreign investment.

Today, Clark supports a workforce of approximately 120,000 professionals, with about half working in call centers and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations. Our company chose Clark because of the abundant talent pool, with three nearby universities producing top-notch graduates. The local population is also characterized by a strong Western influence, with residents speaking English, Filipino, and Kapampangan dialect fluently.

Around a third of Manila's IT professionals hail from this province, many of whom return to their roots after gaining experience in the capital city. This influx of skilled professionals has created a vibrant ecosystem that benefits our company. We enjoy access to both fresh Computer Science graduates and seasoned veterans, allowing us to build a talented teams to drive innovation and growth.

With clean air, a relaxed pace of life, short commute times and proximity to loved ones, our team members enjoy a better work-life balance. This all adds up to a motivated and focused workforce that is primed to deliver exceptional results for ToolTwist's clients.

What was before ToolTwist?

Before founding ToolTwist, our founders Philip Callender and Aravind Naidu were part of Software Associates, which Phil co-founded in 1985. They specialized in high-performance Unix systems and legacy system integration, working with major companies like IBM and expanding to offices across Australia, Hong Kong, and Pittsburgh.

During their time at Software Associates, they worked on groundbreaking projects in the Telco, Bank, and Healthcare sectors.

In 2001, the business was sold to Quality Healthcare Hong Kong, Asia's largest listed healthcare company. Being too young and too active to retire, Aravind and Phil set up in the Philippines soon after.

How do you manage your Work-From-Home (WFH) policy?

At Tooltwist, we've adapted to the new normal by adopting a hybrid model. Initially, our entire business transitioned to WFH during the pandemic, which surprisingly led to increased productivity among our developers. Many found it easier to work longer hours in their home environment without distractions.

However, as time passed, some team members expressed a desire to balance WFH with office time, citing family distractions and missing their colleagues. As such, we typically have about 40% of our workforce in the office during working hours.