pic credit: menicon.com
Menicon Co., Ltd, a Japanese specialised designer and manufacturer of contact lenses and lens care solutions will invest RM650 mil (JPY18 bil) in its first manufacturing plant in Malaysia at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah to produce daily disposable contact lenses.
This strategic investment, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Menicon Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Menicon Malaysia) will witness the setup of the building and equipment for a new production facility spanning over a site area of 200,000 square metres, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Menicon said in a joint statement today.
The plant’s 45,000 square metres floor area will also be built aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Environmental-friendly features like solar panels will be installed to utilise renewable energy and eaves to prevent rise in room temperature.
Menicon expected to employ close to 100 personnel once the scheduled production begins in 2025.
“Menicon’s decision to establish a highly automated factory here is a testament to our ability in meeting rigorous demands of highly regulated industries like medical devices and our business-friendly policies that can support our investors’ business goals,” said Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI).
Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, CEO of Menicon Co. Ltd. said the Malaysian plant is set to be the largest facility in the Menicon group globally.
“This facility combined with our existing plant in Singapore is expected to drive our business growth in the international market. To meet the high level of quality control requirements in our industry, this new plant in Kedah will be designed and built as a Smart Factory,” he added.
He further shared that due to the increasing myopia population globally, contact lens market, especially daily disposable contact lens, has been growing in recent years.
To meet the growing demand, the whole supply process of contact lens including production, transportation and shipment will be connected by an integrated system, which will enable high level of productivity and quality control supported by the industry’s high-performing machines.
