German companies looking to collaborate with local SMEs

KUALA LUMPUR: German companies are looking to collaborate with local small and medium enterprise (SMEs), with the intention of integrating Industry 4.0 into sectors such as aerospace, automotive, biotechnologies, petrochemical and electrical.

TA P iO Ma n a g e m e nt Advisory ( TAPiO) Chairman Bernhard Schutte said Bavaria International (Germany) gave an assurance that the Malaysian companies would have full control of their products, and wider opportunities in a world class production market with quality German branding, in any partnership formed.

“Via the partnership, local companies can take advantage of having high quality German branding added to their products and services, thus further increasing Malaysia’s position in the global market,” he told reporters at a preevent media conference on the Bavaria Industry 4.0 Workshops yesterday.

Meanwhi le, Mal aysi an Investment Development Authority ( Mida) chief executive officer, Datuk Azman Mahmud said German investors continued to have confidence in Malaysia, as evident from their decisions to expand and diversify existing operations in the country.

“In 2016, MIDA approved an additional 21 manufacturing proje c t s wit h German participation and involving investments of RM2.65 billion that focused on electrical and electronics products, machinery and equipment, as wel l as fabricated metal products, and which created 44,833 jobs,” he said.

MIDA together with Bavaria International and TAPiO will launch a series of Industry 4.0 workshops in Selangor, Johor and Penang this month.

Azman said the initiative is to revolutionise the industrial ecosystem in Malaysia by familiarising local industry players with the Industry 4.0 concepts and practices.

“Through these workshops, the industry players will have opportunities to streamline their operations with innovative German companies.

“Industry 4.0, which involves the use of automated robotics and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, will increase the quality of production.This will in turn yield greater prof its, reduce unski l led labour, increase productivity and give rise to more quality jobs for locals,” he added. — Bernama