MALAYSIAN-based NSW Automation Sdn Bhd, which is headquartered in Penang, held a soft launching ceremony of its research and development centre in San Jose, America last night.
That important milestone in NSW’s nearly two decade history was also joyously celebrated in conjunction with its retro Corporate Dinner 2022 at the Lexis Suites Penang in Teluk Kumbar.
NSW, founded in 2004, specialises in high performance and extremely reliable micro-volume liquid dispensing solutions for today’s advanced electronics manufacturing market. It is known to manufacture the world’s smallest solder paste dispenser.
State Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim and Malaysian Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai were among the distinguished guests.
Abdul Halim, who is also the Batu Maung assemblyman and Invest Penang director, said he was proud that NSW is operating in his constituency and making its mark overseas.
“Malaysia welcomes foreign direct investment but then we would like to see more and more Malaysian companies grow regionally and globally.
“We would like to be the FDI for other countries and bring back the money here. And I am glad to hear of this R&D centre by NSW.
“NSW has taken a great step forward. They are not only a local player or jaguh kampung, but has gone regionally to Taiwan, China, many other countries and now NSW has moved into the United States,” Abdul Halim said in his speech.
He added that Malaysia was once considered an Asian Tiger based on its high economic growth and with this year being the Year of the Tiger in the Lunar calendar, he would like to see the country roar again even under the new normal.
Indeed, he said he advocates state and federal help for local companies desiring to set up R&D centres as the required tools and equipment are very expensive.
“We have to develop talent, go into R&D, automation and robotics. We cannot rely on unskilled labour force, we have to reduce it. Upscaling our existing labour force is a must.
“This is a challenge for us. Now, we can see a greater competition as our neighbours are opening up their market,” Abdul Halim added.
Wong said as the MSIA president, he was proud to see that one of his MSIA member companies has achieved recognition and success on the international platform.
He said MSIA would like more Malaysian companies to move up the value chain, especially in design and development.
“Within 18 years, NSW has established worldwide business footprints in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Southeast Asian countries, Germany, UK, Russia, Switzerland and many more regions.
“NSW will continue to embark on global challenges to promote a reputable Malaysian Brand to the world for products which include wearable and smart devices, 5G photonics, electrical vehicle, green energy and aerospace industries.
“I believe NSW will take the product reputation as well as the Malaysian name and technology to a higher platform in the international semiconductor packaging market.
“And I hope other companies especially Malaysian companies are inspired by the attainments and efforts of NSW to achieve more on the global stage.
“I wish NSW the very best in their future endeavours and I hope they will continue to reach new heights,” Wong said in his speech.
NSW is the abbreviation for the first names of three brothers ̶ managing director Boo Kiang Ngee, engineering director Kiang Seng and Kiang Wei.
According to Kiang Ngee, NSW was also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as many businesses not only addressed competitiveness and growth but instead struggled to maintain survival.
However, he said NSW managed to operate resiliently during the tough period and even achieve a record high for 2021.
He thanked valued partners for their excellent support and his employees for their hard work.
“This demonstrates the power of teamwork and togetherness. We will continue to embrace NSW’s 5 values ‒ integrity, accountability, trust and respect, courage and passion.
“To further improve our organisation, we actively invest our resources in research and development to continuously innovate the cutting-edge engineering, design, and precision ‒ all to achieve the unthinkable and to become dominant in providing advanced precision dispensing solutions,” Kiang Ngee said.
The ceremony also saw the presentation of awards to NSW’s corporate business partners, like Indium Corp and Delo.
The attendees were also serenaded by a singer with some lively songs, including oldies.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of YB Datuk Abdul Halim’s office