Kuala lumpur: A total of 115 companies will be recognised as smart factories by the end of this year through the Smart Tech Up programme, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of January 2026, 30 factories have been identified as smart factories, while 71 of the 241 companies registered in the programme are undergoing various stages of implementation towards transforming into smart factories. The programme is an extension and enhancement of the Industry4WRD Policy to enhance the technological capabilities and digital readiness of the industry, especially small and medium enterprises and mid-tier companies, as well as to support the creation of 3,000 smart factories by 2030. This programme provides support in terms of guidance, assessment, training, technology, and financing to increase productivity, product quality, and competitiveness of companies in the local and global markets. To accelerate the achievement of the smart factory target, MITI has introduced a smart factory recognition programme to recognise manufacturing companies, including the automotive sector, that have successfully integrated Industry 4.0 technology and automation processes into their operations. As of January 2026, 18 companies had received smart factory ratings through this recognition programme. Overall, through the planned programmes, 48 companies have been given smart factory ratings as of January 2026.