KUALA LUMPUR (May 20): Haitian Group, an industrial equipment manufacturer from China, has broken ground on Phase 1 of its RM3 billion regional manufacturing hub at Eco Business Park II (EBP II) in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor. The 92-acre site was acquired in 2022 by its subsidiary Haitian Machinery (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd from Eco Business Park 2 Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eco World Development Group Bhd (KL:ECOWLD).
According to EcoWorld president and chief executive officer Datuk Chang Khim Wah, “We are indeed privileged to have worked with them over the years to help realise their vision to expand their business in Southeast Asia. Their decision to carry out not just high-tech manufacturing but also cutting-edge research at their facilities in EBP II will certainly contribute towards technology transfer, resulting in higher value jobs and increased business opportunities for Malaysians.”
The site will house manufacturing facilities, a research institute, employee dormitories and other amenities, with Phase 1 scheduled for completion by end-2026 and production expected to begin in 2027, according to a statement.
The facility is expected to employ around 400 people within five years, producing injection moulding and computer numerical control (CNC) machines for the Southeast Asian market.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Haitian Group chairman Zhang Jianming, EcoWorld executive chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, and senior executives of both organisations.
Johor Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Lee Ting Han said, “We are delighted that the Haitian Group, a renowned Chinese industrialist with global reach across its many business verticals, has chosen Iskandar Malaysia…their decision to invest RM3 billion to create a state-of-the-art regional manufacturing hub at EBP II speaks volumes about the attractiveness of Johor as a preferred investment destination for global investors.”
Founded in 1966, Haitian Group has operations across five sectors and more than 80 subsidiaries worldwide, with products sold to over 130 countries.