Lam Manufacturing Malaysia is investing a total of US$225 million to put up a new manufacturing facility at Batu Kawan Industrial Park. (Photo by Lam Manufacturing Malaysia)

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today congratulated Lam Research Corporation on the official opening of its latest and largest manufacturing facility in Batu Kawan, the first wafer fabrication equipment maker to have set up their business with a manufacturing plant in Malaysia.

The corporation has invested RM1 billion in its new facility located on a 34-acre site, increasing its original plan of utilising 700,000sq ft to 800,000sq ft for its office, manufacturing facilities and warehouse.

On top of that, the manufacturing plant, known as Lam Research International Sdn Bhd, has already exceeded hiring 350 employees as planned for three years since it began operations in May this year and would be hiring 600 in all by the end of the year, according to its general manager Soon Kuek.

Chow said although the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly thrown many plans into disarray, the state machinery has worked closely with each other and with coordinated partnership with the Federal Government, the state has ensured minimum disruptions to the business community.

“The opening of Lam Research’s largest manufacturing facility within the stipulated plan is a testament to our ongoing efforts in supporting all our investors.

“We are confident that Penang’s versatile talent pool, supportive infrastructure and strong local industry clusters will enable industry players to effectively manage their supply chain and improve time-to-market at a competitive cost. All of which would further value add towards Lam Research’s operations here in Penang.

“The presence of Lam Research as the first global leader in the manufacturing of wafer fabrication equipment in Malaysia, will bring about greater opportunities for the local workforce to learn new technical skillsets and industry players would benefit from the supply chain localisation opportunities.

“These, in turn, will help Penang to further integrate into the global semiconductor value chain,” Chow said in his speech during the virtual opening ceremony.

Among those taking part in the online ceremony were US ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters, Chief Minister of Penang’s special investment adviser Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud and Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) deputy CEO Ahmad Khairudin Abd Rahim.

Present at the ceremony in the Batu Kawan plant itself were Lam Research Corporation president and CEO Tim Archer, corporate vice-president of manufacturing Mike Snell and general manager Soon Kuek.

Chow went on to say 42% of Penang’s approved manufacturing FDI from 2019 to 2020 was contributed by the US companies and Lam Research is certainly one of the strategic projects that Penang is proud of.

“Lam Research’s significant investment in Batu Kawan reinforces Penang’s position as a preferred location for advanced manufacturing and upholding our accolade as “Silicon Valley of the East”.

“On the trade front, Penang continues to play a substantial role in driving the country’s exports. Penang recorded an export of RM310 billion in 2020, representing 32% of Malaysia’s total.

“Importantly, 60% of Penang’s exports were E&E products. Our performance continued to gain momentum with exports increased by 23% year-on-year to RM138 billion in Jan-May 2021,” Chow said.

Archer, in his speech, said his corporation chose Penang and Malaysia for manufacturing expansion because of their thriving semiconductor ecosystem and access to a talented workforce with experience in high-tech fields.

He said global demand for semiconductor and semiconductor manufacturing equipment was robust, contributing in a big part to a revenue increase of 45% compared to last year.

He said today marked the first anniversary of their establishment in Malaysia, starting with eight employees and now having a workforce of 450.

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Elvina @ Balik Pulau, a small landed residential development by JKP Sdn. Bhd. at Balik Pulau. Located on 1.9 acres are land along Jalan Sungai Nipah 2, adjacent to Balik Pulau Vocational College. It is about 3km from Balik Pulau Town Centre, within 30 minutes drive to Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. Other surrounding amenities include public schools, Mara College, sports center, wet market and eateries.

This development will feature 24 units of 2-storey terrace and 2 units of 2-storey semi-detached houses.

Project Name : Elvina @ Balik Pulau
Location : Balik Pulau
Property Type : Terrace and semi-detached
Built-up Size: (to be confirmed)
Total Units: 24 (terrace), 2 (semi-detached)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : JKP Sdn. Bhd.

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

The Udini underpass in Gelugor, Penang, will be closed during certain hours for six days to undergo maintenance.

Penang Island City Council said in a statement that the underpass between Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan Tunku Kudin would be off limits to all vehicles from Aug 14 to Aug 19 from midnight to 5am.

“The underpass closure is to allow the appointed contractor to carry out maintenance, cleaning and repainting of the anti- carbonation layer.

“The closure will happen only at night.

“The underpass will be fully open during the day,” the city council said.

For enquiries on the closure, call Mohamad Luqman Hakim Mhd Nazari (04-259 2228, 018- 940 0734), Azhar Mohd (04-259 2193, 019-446 4460) or Siti Norhana Hashim (04-259 2193, 013-446 1322).

Source: TheStar.com.my

Yet another proposed light industrial development at Valdor in Sungai Bakap. Undertaken by Dutamas Warisan Sdn. Bhd., the development will be located on a 22-acre land off Jalan Nafiri, adjacent to Nafiri @ Valdor light industrial scheme by GUH Realty Sdn. Bhd. It is only 5km to Batu Kawan Industrial Park, about 10 minutes drive to Penang Second Bridge.

This development will feature 53 units of single-storey light industrial factories with 2-storey of office space.

The project is still pending approval. More details are to be available upon official launch.

Project Name : (to be confirmed)
Location : Sungai Bakap
Property Type : Light industrial factory
Total Units: 53
Land Tenure: Freehold
Target Completion: (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer : Dutamas Warisan Sdn. Bhd.

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

South Korean semiconductor giant, Simmtech Holdings Inc., has chosen Penang as the strategic location to build its ‘first in the region’ printed circuit board (PCB) and packaging substrate factory.

Simmtech’s Phase One investment in Penang, through its subsidiary Sustio Sdn Bhd, is US$120 million (RM508 million).

Simmtech Southeast Asia managing director Jeffery Chun said the construction of the factory on an 18-acre site in Batu Kawan, Penang, was currently ongoing.

“We have spent many years looking for the right location to expand our business. We are now operating in our home country Korea, as well as in China and Japan.

“Our future factory in Penang will enable us to bring our products closer to our customers in this region.

“The construction works are scheduled to complete by early next year. We hope to begin operating and making shipments from our new factory by the first half of next year,” he said in his speech during the investment announcement held virtually today.

Chun said Penang has a very well-established electronics industry ecosystem.

“We are able to access the resources and local businesses here. The state is full of great talents, and it has a strong customer base. Penang also has a dynamic and growing semiconductor industry.

“That was why we chose to invest in Penang,” he said.

Chun added the company recognised the current challenging pandemic period.

“We are in close communication with the local and Federal authorities, following the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

“However, we do not see major delays in our construction project,” he said.

He revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic brought more opportunities to the semiconductor market.

“There are increasing demands for data storages with the increase in online data transactions during this trying period.

“There are more demands for computer chips and mobile chips. This is a great period for the semiconductor industry as a whole,” he said.

On Simmtech’s investment in Batu Kawan, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the new facility could create 1,200 high-value jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and quality management.

“I am hopeful that with Simmtech’s arrival, this is the beginning of a new chapter with Korea – one of the prominent countries in the global technology sphere.

“The Penang government has placed emphasis on attracting companies with strong commitments in developing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable investing. Those commitments are part of our efforts to cement Penang’s position as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

Chow said that Penang continues to be the country’s leading Electrical and Electronics (E&E) hub and a key pillar of Malaysia’s external trade.

“In 2020, Penang recorded a commendable RM310 billion of exports and RM110 billion of trade surplus; contributed 32% and 60% of the country’s said total, respectively.

“Notably, Penang’s E&E exports were valued at RM231 billion in 2020, which formed more than half of the country’s total,” he said.

Source: Buletin Mutiara