Japan’s Taiki to build factory in Penang, its second in Malaysia

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Japan-based cosmetic and skin-care products manufacturer Taiki Group is setting up its second manufacturing facility in the country, in Perai, Penang.

Taiki Group executive director Toru Hashimoto said the company has invested US$2 million (RM8.9 million) in the factory, which is expected to begin operations by January next year.

The factory is expected to create about 500 job opportunities. The 6,503 square metre facility sits on a 2.2ha site leased from Golden Frontier Bhd for 10 years.

“We may expand the factory if business is good,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Hashimoto said the company chose to expand to Penang following its 1997 investment in Johor Baru, Johor, due to human resources requirements.

“We have about 300 workers in Johor,” he said.

Earlier, Taiki Group president Koji Nakamura signed the lease with Golden Frontier chairman Datuk Khor Teng How, in a ceremony witnessed by Penang Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

In his speech, Chow said the state government was pleased to have attracted the investment from a global company.

He said this was a new type of investment in Penang, which is more well known for electronic and electrical product factories.