Greatech celebrates another milestone with RM1.3bil investment in Batu Kawan IV

By Christopher Tan – Feb 28, 2023

A version of this article was first published on Buletin Mutiara

GREATECH Technology Berhad (Greatech) is realising its 10-year plan and embarking on solar and life science industries.

The Group’s chief executive officer and co-founder Datuk Tan Eng Kee said the Group’s 10-year plan comprised two parts, Factory Automation and Process Automation.

“We will be working on the four pillars of Factory Automation from this year to 2027. The four pillars are solar, e-mobility, life science, and semiconductor.

“We project that in the next two to three years, the solar and e-mobility industries will be able to generate a lot of revenue for Greatech. Similarly, the life science and semiconductor industries will also be generating a lot of revenue for the Group from 2025 to 2027.

“We plan to move from Factory Automation to Process Automation from 2028 to 2032. We are still working on the details of Process Automation, but my dream is to make those technologies in Malaysia. I want Malaysians to learn these technologies,” he said in his presentation before joining the groundbreaking ceremony of Greatech Integration (M) Sdn Bhd’s new factory (BK IV) in Batu Kawan today.

Two years after the groundbreaking ceremony of Greatech’s third plant in Batu Kawan, the Group announced the construction of its new facility, BK IV, in Batu Kawan, today.

BK IV with a built-up area of 500,000sq ft will be constructed on an 11.58-acre site in Batu Kawan Industrial Park.

Tan said the Group is set to create an additional 500 job opportunities with this new plant.

“The Group has a total of 1,288 employees now, and 50% of our staff are design engineers. Ninety-eight per cent of our staff are local talents,” he said.

Tan added that the BK IV would be a business facility for solar and life science industries.

“The plant would be divided into two parts – life science and solar. Life science automation is now my main target. My dream is to have more medical and life science automation in Penang.

When asked about the qualities which Malaysia, particularly Penang, have that attract investors, Tan said Malaysia has good talents and our talents are hardworking.

“We speak at least three languages and are hardworking. Those are also the reasons why other countries are taking away our talents,” he said.

Greatech Board chairman Ooi Hooi Kiang said Greatech would be investing about RM1.3 billion for the expansion (BK IV), with an estimated capital expenditure of RM200 million and an estimated operating expenditure of RM1.1 billion.

She said the Group envisioned building Penang into a world-class automation hub, and it becomes the global Top 10 factory automation solutions provider in the next few years.

International Trade and Industry (MITI) deputy minister Liew Chin Tong congratulated Greatech on its success.

“This is truly a success story to take pride in. But this will not be an isolated example.

“MITI’s National Investment Aspiration highlights the need for economic complexity, integration of local supply chains with regional and global supply chains, and creation of new economic clusters and high-value job opportunities.

“The Government remains committed to supporting Malaysian companies in terms of increasing their capacity and propelling them to the global scene. We aspire to see the industry move up the value chain and produce more innovative and high-value products that will enable Malaysia to compete globally,” he said.

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) deputy chief executive officer (investment development) Lim Bee Vian said 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 said.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow expressed his heartiest congratulations to the Greatech team and all who were involved in bringing this expansion to fruition.

“I am hopeful that the Group can nurture local talents and enhance their knowledge and exposure to the latest technology in solar, e-mobility, life science and semiconductor with this expansion.

“Penang’s homegrown companies play critical roles in promoting the growth of the mechanical and electrical (M&E) sectors 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,” Chow said.

Separately, Greatech and Tech Dome Penang also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make the Digital Literacy Empowerment Programme a success.

The programme is aimed at benefitting several Malay, Chinese and Tamil schools in Penang.

Greatech also presented Tech Dome Penang an RM300,000 mock cheque for the Digital Literacy Empowerment Programme, and an RM100,000 mock cheque in support of the STEM Showcase 2023 Batu Kawan event.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, state Social Development, and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, and Northern Corridor Implementation Authority chief executive officer Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan.

Story by Christopher Tan

Pix by Mohamad Amir Irsyad Omar

Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis