Infineon Technologies leader in the semiconductor industry offering specialise solution to various high tech fields from automation to wind energy systems and having set up the first fabrication facility in Melaka in 2007 has just opened the second facility in Kulim. The company has already invested over RM12 billion since.
The new production facility, or Fab 2 in Kulim is reputed to be a role model for Industry 4.0. Officiating the event was Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister for International Trade and Industry, and Dr. Reinhard Ploss, CEO of Infineon. This is part of Infineon’s commitment made in 2012 to invest RM4 billion over the following 10 years in Kulim (until 2022). As of September 2015, RM1.1 billion was already invested in Fab 2.
Industry 4.0 is basically a term used referring to the computerisation of the manufacturing process with factories evolve to be autonomous and introduction of new methods whereby these industry become self optimised, self configure, self diagnose and cognitive.
, while reducing carbon emissions. Using latest technology and connectivity, the new facility will feature intelligent shelves that automatically track the storage and retrieval of every wafer lot; state-of-the-art machine-to-machine communication will record the process data allowing machines to optimise themselves, and will enhance overall productivity. Upon full capacity, the plant will be able to produce 120,000 Wafers Start Per Month, while creating close to 1,000 additional jobs and potentially generating more than RM1billion per year in export value for Infineon.
While many MNCs are pulling out or downsizing in Malaysia, Infineon Kulim and Infineon Malacca continue to grow. The company has been able to successfully navigate through every economic downturn without having practise any lay offs. The operation in Kulim employs 95% of the engineering professionals from Malaysian.
