13/05/2025

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TUESDAY | MAY 13, 2025

Amcor sees M’sia as key hub in Asia-Pacific strategy

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Global packaging company Amcor views Malaysia as a strategic cornerstone in its broader Asia-Pacific healthcare strategy, particularly in response to the region’s growing demand and evolving trade dynamics. “Even amidst ongoing shifts in global trade, we recognise Malaysia’s strategic advantage with its strong manufacturing base, skilled talent pool, and business-friendly environment,” Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific vice-president of healthcare Laura Wong ( pic ) told SunBiz . She said Amcor’s expansion in Malaysia complements the company’s regional growth initiatives, including the acquisition of MDK in China, the establishment of a grid lacquer paper unit in India, and the construction of a co-extrusion blown film and printing plant in Singapore. To note, the New York Stock Exchange-listed Amcor has completed the construction of its plant for coating advanced healthcare packaging in Selangor – the first in Asia to use state-of-the art air knife coating technology. The facility aims to improve the region’s healthcare customers’ access to premium sterile packaging solutions, expanding Amcor’s healthcare packaging operations, making it the first in Asia to produce both top and bottom substrates for medical device packaging at a single site. Wong said Amcor’s investment in this new facility underscores the company’s long-term confidence in Malaysia as an important hub in the global healthcare supply chain.

o Country boasts strong manufacturing base, skilled talents, business-friendly environment: VP

“Our new facility in Malaysia complements our existing facilities in both Malaysia and Singapore,” Wong said. “Together, they form a fully integrated network that allows Amcor to serve as a one-stop solution provider – offering both top and bottom webs, converting, and bag-making capabilities under one regional umbrella. “This proximity to key healthcare markets in Asia ensures faster response times, supply chain resilience, and enhanced service levels for our partners.” Amcor is the first in Asia to introduce advanced air knife coating technology at its new Selangor plant, enabling precise control of coating thickness for protecting sensitive medical products and meeting global regulatory standards. Amcor uses smart manufacturing practices such as automated quality control, real-time data monitoring, and predictive analytics to enhance product consistency, improve efficiency, and support continuous quality improvement. Wong said these technologies will position Amcor and Malaysian manufacturers to remain competitive in the global healthcare packaging market. jewellery naturally complement each other, and the collaboration allowed us to present a cohesive and elegant festive look,” Amani said. She said the brand is open to further collaborations, especially with partners that share its values of quality, craftsmanship, and customer experience. The new Plaza Shah Alam outlet marks Hazara’s third major retail move, after starting in Ampang Park and later relocating to SACC Mall. On evolving consumer trends, she noted a rising demand for quality, individuality and sustainability in fashion. “While sustainability is not yet a core part of our approach, we recognise its growing importance and will continue to explore how we can align with these evolving expectations while staying true to our brand identity,” said Amani. Looking ahead, Hazara Boutique plans to play a greater role in revitalising Malaysia’s beading industry, particularly tambour beading, which she said is fading due to a decline in skilled artisans. “We want to bring it back, not just as an aesthetic detail, but as a craft to be preserved and passed down,” she said.

production practices to maintain high standards and productivity while controlling costs. “Malaysia’s skilled workforce combined with a stable economic and political environment positions the country as an attractive hub for healthcare manufacturing and a strong contender to other established manufacturing hubs globally. “Additionally, the proactive steps being taken by the Ministry of Health, such as exploring alternative supply sources for essential medicines and medical devices from countries such as India and China, reflect a broader strategy to mitigate tariff impacts and safeguard the country’s healthcare supply chains,” said Wong. She also noted that Malaysia is carving out a niche in the medical device sector by focusing on higher-value and innovation-driven products. The government’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP) identifies medical devices as a key growth area, aiming to strengthen product design, development, and integrated services. momentum from global and regional players, with a sharper focus on modular, energy-efficient designs and sustainable infrastructure. “However, sustaining this growth will require addressing persistent challenges. These include managing the potential rise in infrastructure costs due to supply chain disruption, particularly for key components like servers, cooling systems, and electrical equipment, all of which may see price hikes or delay,” he said. He remarked that collaboration with energy providers such as TNB to supply renewable energy through Power Purchase Agreements and partnerships with agencies like MIDA and SEDA, will be critical. “We must reduce our dependence on global supply disruptions by strengthening local capabilities in talent development, green energy transition and upstream tech manufacturing,” he said. In this climate, Wong said Malaysia’s policy consistency, cost competitiveness, and digital economy frameworks such as MyDigital and the National Industry 4.0 Policy are proving essential in supporting long-term growth in the data infrastructure sector.

She said these expansions and investments reinforce Amcor’s dedication to delivering innovative, high-quality healthcare packaging solutions and fortifying Malaysia’s role in the global healthcare supply chain. When asked how Amcor foresees Malaysia’s healthcare manufacturing sector adapting to protect its global competitiveness with the 24% US tariff on Malaysian goods, Wong said the domestic healthcare manufacturing sector, including the medical packaging industry, can adapt by accelerating localisation, innovation, and diversification of trade partnerships. “To protect global competitiveness, we will want to increasingly prioritise enhancing supply chain resilience through localised production to reduce dependencies on external markets and enhance cost efficiencies,” she said. “The industry is also increasingly leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and smart

To support this, the government is offering targeted policies and tax incentives and developing specialised high-tech parks, all while promoting Malaysia as a leading manufacturing hub in the Asia-Pacific region. “Future-proofing Malaysia’s position in the global healthcare value chain requires strong partnerships and a robust, connected ecosystem, and that is precisely where Amcor is focused.

Malaysia well-positioned amid semiconductor tariff uncertainty: OpenDC

Hazara Attires eyes 45% jump in sales this year

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Ű BY AIMIE SHAZRIE sunbiz@thesundaily.com

artificial intelligence-driven applications, cloud computing and enterprise digitalisation is driving a corresponding surge in data centre development, particularly in the Klang Valley. “Malaysia is a strategic location, strong connectivity, and skilled

PETALING JAYA: Hazara Attires Sdn Bhd, the company behind the Hazara Boutique brand, is eyeing a 45% jump in sales this year, banking on its heritage craftsmanship and brand expansion. Hazara Boutique creative director Amani Hazara said the brand is pursuing a niche strategy centred on preserving traditional tambour beading as it expands its footprint in Malaysia’s fashion scene – beginning with a new flagship boutique in Plaza Shah Alam. “With the opening of our new store and a strategic push into new markets, we anticipate strong momentum. We are expecting a 45% increase in sales compared to last year. While the exact figures will depend on market conditions, we’re confident this will be a major step forward in our growth journey,” she told SunBiz in an email interview. The brand recently collaborated with Habib Jewels for the launch of its Raya 2025 collection, Scintillate, where models showcased Hazara’s designs paired with Habib’s jewellery. “We saw an opportunity to bring our strengths together. Fashion and

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is poised to strengthen its role as a regional data centre hub, despite global supply chains facing pressure from new US

tariffs on semiconductor and tech products, said OpenDC Sdn Bhd founder and managing director Wong Weng Yew ( pic ). He said the country’s

workforce have made the country increasingly attractive as a stable, neutral alternative for data infrastructure investments in Southeast Asia.” At the same time, Wong said global companies are seeking to diversify their digital supply chains away from politically sensitive regions. “Malaysia, with its neutral stance and maturing digital

established semiconductor ecosystem and proactive government engagement with industry stakeholders have positioned Malaysia to navigate current geopolitical uncertainties, including the latest round of tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese tech goods. “The recent US tariffs on semiconductors have introduced complexities in the global tech supply chain, but Malaysia’s data centre industry remains robust. “Our resilience is bolstered by continued investments from major US technology firms, indicating sustained confidence in Malaysia’s digital infrastructure,” he told SunBiz . He said the escalating demand for

ecosystem, is increasingly seen as a strategic, stable location,” he noted. He said, while Singapore remains a key player in the region, constraints in land and energy supply are pushing hyperscalers and infrastructure developers to explore alternatives such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Furthermore, he noted that OpenDC anticipates a strong pipeline of new deals in 2025, including both greenfield and brownfield projects. “We expect continued