Menicon Co., Ltd, the Japanese-headquartered specialised contact lens maker will be setting up a manufacturing facility in Kulim Hi-tech Park Kedah with an investment of RM650 million.
This strategic investment will see the Malaysian operation start producing locally-made contact lenses in a massive new production facility spanning over a site area of 200,000 square metres. The plant’s 45,000 square metres floor area will also be built aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals with features like solar panels and renewable energy supplements.
Notably, the plant is expected to employ close to 100 personnel once the scheduled production begins in 2025, which will enable locals job opportunities in this highly specialised centre.
Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) said, “Menicon’s decision to establish a highly automated factory here is a testament to our ability in meeting rigorous demands of highly regulated industries like medical devices and our business-friendly policies that can support our investors’ business goals.”
Speaking on behalf of Menicon, CEO Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, CEO remarked, “Our Malaysian plant is set to be the largest facility in the Menicon group globally. This facility combined with our existing plant in Singapore is expected to drive our business growth in the international market. To meet a high level of quality control requirements in our industry, this new plant in Kedah will be designed and built as a Smart Factory.
According to the CEO, the group evaluated various aspects of each country such as global competitiveness, risk of natural disasters, languages before choosing Malaysia as the best location for the facilities.
He further shared that due to the increasing myopia population globally, the contact lens market, especially daily disposable contact lenses, has been growing in recent years. To meet the growing demand, the whole supply process of contact lenses including production, transportation and shipment will be connected by an integrated system, which will enable a high level of productivity and quality control supported by the industry’s high-performing machines.
