Smith+Nephew opens a manufacturing facility in Malaysia with an investment worth over US$100 mil
28 Jun 2022
Smith+Nephew, a global medical technology company, has opened a new high-technology manufacturing facility in Batu Kawan Industrial Park in Penang, with an investment worth over US$100 million (US$1=RM4.39).
It said the facility would primarily support the company’s orthopaedics business, which is expected to grow strongly in the Asia Pacific region.
“Up to 800 new local jobs in manufacturing, engineering and supply chain will be created over the next few years with key roles already filled,” it said in a joint statement with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) on Tuesday (June 28).
The new facility was officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang Chow Kon Yeow in the presence of MIDA chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman and Smith+Nephew CEO Dr Deepak Nath.
Smith+Nephew said its manufacturing facility is a frontrunner in sustainability and achieved its goal of zero waste-to-landfill four years ahead of target and was recognised by the United Nations Global Compact Network for Malaysia and Brunei in the category of SDG Benchmark 4: Zero Waste to Landfill and Incineration in December 2021.
“Smith+Nephew also provides a bursary to students from the Penang Skills Development Centre who will be employed and trained as machinists upon their graduation at the company,” it said.
Meanwhile, Arham said the facility is the company’s first manufacturing venture within Southeast Asia, demonstrating the ability in attracting renowned medical device manufacturers into Malaysia.
“Smith+Nephew’s presence will also encourage the growth of local companies and our medical devices industry’s ecosystem and strengthen our reputation as an ideal med-tech manufacturing hub in ASEAN,” he said.
According to the statement, MIDA has approved 38 medical devices-related manufacturing projects worth RM7.68 billion, which were expected to create approximately 12,500 employment opportunities for the country, in 2021.
“The industry shows great promise in generating high-income jobs, increasing export value and reinforcing the domestic supply chain ecosystem,” it said.
It added that Malaysia is also well-positioned to be the manufacturing hub for the medical devices industry in Asia, while being home to over 200 manufacturers with more than 30 medical devices multinational companies producing high value-added medical devices.
Managing director and site leader of Smith+Nephew Operation Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mark Arthun said the facility is expected to make its first shipment in July for the United States (US) market.
“We expect to make our first shipment out to the US next month and this facility represents our commitment to the Asia Pacific, Malaysia, our customers and their patients,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony.
He added that construction of the approximately 23,225.76 square metres facility started in March 2020 and was completed last year.
Meanwhile, Nath said that aligned with the company’s refreshed Strategy for Growth pillar to strengthen its foundation, the facility would enable Smith+Nephew to serve customers and their patients sustainably through advanced manufacturing.
“It is also a critical piece of our Strategy for Growth, improving efficiency and resilience and supports our purpose of Life Unlimited so that patients across the region and beyond can return to living life to their fullest,” he said.
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology company founded in Hull, United Kingdom in 1856, focusing on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue.
The company now operates in more than 100 countries.
Source: Bernama
