Proton expands Tanjung Malim plant, adding new stamping facility
22 Apr 2021
KUALA LUMPUR: Proton Holdings Bhd (Proton) has begun the expansion works for its production plant in Tanjung Malim, following an official ground-breaking ceremony to mark the addition of a new stamping facility.
The expansion will house a new superlarge press machine to enhance stamping abilities, part of the national automaker’s plan to increase localisation levels for current and future models.
The new stamping facility is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2022.
More significantly, it is part of Proton’s overarching plan to increase levels of localisation, both for current and future models, the automaker in a statement said.
With an investment of RM200 million, this new facility is part of the plan to make Tanjung Malim a world class manufacturing plant.
This is on top of the RM1.2 billion that was spent previously.
“The new press will allow for the stamping of much larger pieces of bodywork and other parts,” it said.
The company said this investment is part of its growth strategy as well as for future planning as it is designed to allow for the manufacturing of more model lines.
It is also in line with Proton’s technology strategy as the new area will include tools as well as systems.
Proton chief executive Officer Dr Li Chunrong said Proton must continue to look to the future.
Li said this new addition is part of Proton’s strategy to ensure that it can grow continuously as well as increase model footprint when the company has to.
“This means having the ability to build more variants but more importantly to be able to build them to the highest standards as well as to incorporate new technology”, he said.
Proton has seen a huge turnaround in fortunes over the last three years.
The carmaker has launched new models, gained market share, improved quality and also revamped its entire dealer network.
This resulted in the company being the only large manufacturer in Malaysia to post growth in 2020.
Li said this facility, one small part of a larger journey, is especially important for the company because it means Proton can do far more localisation going forward.
“This will have a spill-over effect which will see us engaging with more vendors and further growing the local automotive ecosystem”, he added.
Source: NST
