Supermax Corp Bhd, one of the world`s top four rubber glove producers, will allocate more than RM2.4 billion on capital expenditure (capex) over the next 10 to 15 years to bolster its glove and contact lens manufacturing operations.

Group managing director Datuk Seri Stanley Thai said Supermax would continue to expand in Malaysia, which included capital commitments of RM100 million in high-end technology manufacturing of contact lens.

"We will also drive human capital development through job creation for highly-skilled workforce, set up high-value medical device manufacturing and invest in automation and high-end technology manufacturing. These are part of our business expansion in Malaysia to drive Supermax into high-end technology manufacturing.

"For glove manufacturing, Supermax has a 10- to 15-year roadmap, which is to increase capacity to 45 billion pieces from 24 billion pieces, with a capex ranging from RM1 billion to RM1.2 billion," he told Business Times.

Thai said for contact lens manufacturing, Supermax would increase its capacity to two billion pieces from 70 million pieces, with a capex ranging from RM800 million to RM1.25 billion.

"Our continued investments in the local manufacturing economy show Supermax`s support and confidence in Malaysia.

"And through our high-end technology manufacturing for contact lenses, we are also driving human capital development and creating work opportunities for biochemists, engineers and many more high-skilled positions."

Thai said the government`s economic policies had made Malaysia among the world`s competitive players.

The government`s policies that encouraged local and foreign firms to expand their businesses, such as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact, was commendable, he added.

Supermax will continue to look for market access and opportunities through the TPP pact.

"We gain competitive advantage over regional players such as China, Indonesia and Thailand. We enjoy preferred import duty and save on import costs for raw materials," said Thai.

He said the opening up of new markets would spur the growth of products and services, reduce bureaucracy and provide transparency as well as enhance provision for import and export licensing procedures.

Thai said Supermax would keep its global manufacturing headquarters in Malaysia due to the government`s sound economic policies.

By New Straits Times

http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/07/159701/supermax-continue-expansion

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