Panasonic to expand plant in Malacca

Panasonic Appliances Refrigeration Devices Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a refrigerator compressor maker at the Cheng Industrial Park here, sees expansion next year.

The company has produced four million compressors so far this year. Managing Director (Singapore and Malacca) Manabu Onishi said the company, which started operations 20 years ago, has grown strongly, registering a 20 per cent growth this year than last year.

Onishi, however, said the expansion plans would be announced in due course.

"We are optimistic of further growth, including further expansion next year, as our long-time plan," he told reporters at the company's 20th anniversary celebrations officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

The company, having invested RM300 million, has delivered nearly 47 million compressors to customers worldwide since 1992.

It is now the world's No. 2 refrigerator compressor manufacturer and has achieved various recognitions.

Onishi said the plant, with a 108,801 sq metre land area and 1,000 workers, exports 90 per cent of its products to the Middle East, North America, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.

Earlier, Mohd Ali said Japan's investments in Melaka totalled RM2.2 billion from 24 companies operating in Melaka, including three from the Panasonic Group, which has plants producing semiconductors in Batu Berendam and Tangga Batu, which supply raw materials for the plant in Cheng.