TANJUNG MANIS (Oct 26): PMW International Bhd (KL:PMW) on Monday (Oct 26) kicked off construction of its RM50 million factory in Sarawak in the hopes of getting it up and running before the end of 2027.
Sitting on a 29-acre site in Tanjung Manis along the Rejang River, the facility is designed to produce 10,683 tonnes of spun piles and poles monthly. It expects to reach full production by early 2028, which will increase the production capacity by 56% to over 350,000 tonnes upon completion.
The factory will manufacture pre-stressed concrete products for the construction, infrastructure and utilities sectors.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the investment was expected to create around 160 direct jobs, with priority given to nearby communities.
More than half of the factory’s materials will be sourced locally, creating opportunities for Sarawakian suppliers, contractors and supporting businesses to participate in the industrial supply chain, he noted.
“The success of an investment should not be measured by its value or production capacity alone, but also by its ability to create economic value, employment and business opportunities for local companies,” Awang Tengah said.
Sarawak recorded RM11.2 billion in approved investments across the primary, manufacturing and services sectors in the first half of 2026, with domestic investments accounting for 61%.
Based in Ipoh, Perak, PMW International is bringing into Sarawak its expertise in integrated concrete products, including moulds, machinery and plant design, said CEO Lee Hon Hwa.
The partnership would also facilitate technology transfer and practical skills development for the local workforce, he added.
Funding for the Tanjung Manis facility accounts for the lion's share of proceeds from PMW International's 2025 initial public offering that raised nearly RM91 million.
In April, PMW International signed a share subscription and shareholders' agreement with the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation to develop the Tanjung Manis facility.
The state agency will take a 20% equity interest in PMW Winabumi (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd while PMW International will retain the remaining 80% stake in the subsidiary. Under the agreement, the agency will contribute a plot of land valued at RM12.5 million for the project.