Penang, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Greatech Technology Berhad (“Greatech”), through its subsidiary Greatech Integration (M) Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysia-based leading automation solutions provider, organised a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new facility in Penang, Malaysia. The new additional facility, BK IV, with a built-up area of 500,000 square feet, will be constructed across 11.58-acre land in Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Penang. Upon the completion of BK IV, Greatech will have a total combined floor area of more than 1.2 million square feet. Greatech invested approximately RM1.3 billion for this expansion with an estimated capital expenditure of RM200 million and an estimated operating expenditure of RM1.1 billion. The Group strongly believes that this investment will open new horizons in meeting their ever-growing demands.

The ground breaking ceremony was officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang, the Right Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow. Also present at the ceremony were YB Prof. Dr. P. Ramasamy, Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, YB Mr. Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Investment Development) of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Dato’ Loo Lee Lian, CEO of InvestPenang, Dato’ Tan Eng Kee, CEO of Greatech, Tuan Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan, Chief Executive of Northern Corridor Economic Region and Ms. Ooi Hooi Kiang, the Board Chair of Greatech Technology Berhad.

The Right Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang applauded Greatech for the reinvestment decisions. “Penang’s homegrown companies held critical roles in promoting the growth of the machinery and equipment (M&E) sector in the state. We are proud of the involvement of local companies, such as Greatech, in creating a comprehensive supply chain for the state in the M&E and automation domains. I am confident that the growing strength of local companies will translate into more opportunities, anchoring our position as the Silicon Valley of the East.” 
 
“I am pleased to also share that investments in the machinery and equipment (M&E) industry alone totalled RM7.3 billion from 2020 to September 2022, accounting for 57 per cent of the country’s total. This has placed us on the right trajectory to becoming a global front-to-backend equipment manufacturing hub,” he added.

Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy CEO (Investment Development) of MIDA commended Greatech for the establishment of an additional new manufacturing facility in Batu Kawan, Penang. 

“Greatech's new plant is a testament to Malaysia's long-term investment opportunities, the thriving state of the manufacturing industry, and its ecosystem. Its capabilities in developing factory automation systems; and related modules and components for electric vehicle (EV), solar and medical devices, will create employment opportunities for our local talent and boost the industry ecosystem's growth.” 

“The Government encourages all companies in Malaysia to incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices into their operations. By doing so, they can maintain relevance, resilience, and preparedness for future uncertainties. Greatech’s investment in ESG practices is a shining example of a corporate responsibility that others can emulate,” she added. 

Ms. Ooi Hooi Kiang, the Board Chair of Greatech said, “Greatech has grown rapidly in the last 5 years, broadening our customers base across the world. Furthermore, our headcount significantly increased from 350 in 2018 to 1,300 to date. This has contributed to the creation of high-impact job opportunities with 50 per cent of the total staff being design engineers and 98 per cent of them being local hires.”

“We also envision building Penang into a world-class automation hub and becoming the global top 10 factory automation solutions provider in the next few years. Our key emphasis is that the equipment and systems are designed and made by Malaysian talents. In order to realise our ambition, we continue to invest in three key strategic pillars, first, expanding our production capabilities, second, attracting and retaining key talents and lastly, building an enduring culture that encourages open communication and innovation”, she concluded..


About MIDA

MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube.

About InvestPenang

InvestPenang is the Penang State Government’s principal agency for promotion of investment. Its objectives are to develop and sustain Penang’s economy by enhancing and continuously supporting business activities in the State through foreign and local investments, including spawning viable new growth centres. To realize its objectives, InvestPenang also runs initiatives like the SMART Penang Center (providing assistance to SMEs) and Penang CAT Center (for talent attraction and retention). For more information, please visit https://investpenang.gov.my/ and follow InvestPenang’s social media channels: Facebook; LinkedIn.

About Greatech Technology Berhad

Greatech’s principal activity is investment holding, whilst its subsidiary companies are principally involved in the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of equipment that are used to automate processes in production lines. Greatech Group’s products range from single automated equipment up to a production line system which comprises multiple automated equipment as well as provision of parts and services. The Group’s corporate headquarter is in Bayan Lepas, Penang, with facilities in Bayan Lepas, Batu Kawan and USA.
 
Source: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIDA
Name: Ms. Zakiah Sajidan
Director, Machinery and Metal Technology Division, MIDA
Tel: +603-22676769
Email: zakiah@mida.gov.my 
 
INVESTPENANG
Name: Ms. Yeoh Bit Kun / Ms. Ooi Phei Wen
Email: bitkun@investpenang.gov.my / pheiwen@investpenang.gov.my
 
GREATECH TECHNOLOGY BERHAD
Name: Mr. Adrian Ang
Tel: +604-646 3260 Ext 111
Email: adrian@greatech-group.com 

--BERNAMA