As part of Malaysia’s investment promotion goal to attract premium and high-tech medical device product manufacturers, the country has successfully secured large investments from global medical devices and technologies companies, namely Insulet and Smith & Nephew. Both companies will invest over USD 300 million in total for their new manufacturing facilities in Malaysia.
Headquartered in Massachusetts, the United States, Insulet Corporaration plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Gelang Patah, Johor state to produce its Omnipod Insulin Management System. Malaysia is the third location to be chosen after the United States and China. Charles Alpuche, Insulet’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer stated that the firm wants to ensure that people with diabetes have continued access to Omnipod products to enhance their lives. For this reason, Malaysia offers a strategic location in the Southeast Asia region with excellent accessibility to ports and a qualified workforce. The firm is expected to invest around MYR 800 million (USD 179 million) – MYR 1 billion (USD 200 billion) over the next 5 years.
UK-based Smith & Nephew has launched a new high-technology manufacturing facility in Batu Kawan Industrial Park in Penang state, with an investment of more than USD 100 million. The plant represents Smith & Nephew’s first manufacturing venture within Southeast Asia and will primarily support its orthopedics business in the region. Managing director and site leader of Smith & Nephew Operation Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mark Arthun stated the facility is anticipated to make its first shipment for the United States market in July 2022. The firm is projected to create up to 800 new jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain.
(Sources: Malaysia Investment Development Authority; New Straits Times; The Sun Daily)
