Penang: Agilent Technologies Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s smart factory in Penang has been recognised as a global leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and McKinsey and Company.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in a joint statement, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), InvestPenang, and Agilent Technologies announced that this accolade honors factories worldwide that demonstrate exceptional performance in productivity, supply chain resilience, and talent development through the adoption of advanced technologies.
Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced digital technologies, Agilent Penang has increased overall productivity by 40 percent, reduced delivery lead times by 48 percent, and significantly lowered its environmental impact. These advancements have enhanced agility in meeting changing market demands while equipping its workforce with AI-ready skills.
The parties noted that Agilent’s Penang facility is one of only two factories in Malaysia to be recognised by the Forum, placing the state on the global map for advanced manufacturing excellence. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stated that both Malaysian Lighthouse sites being located in the state reflected Penang’s readiness to adopt 4IR and its role as a national benchmark for smart manufacturing.
MIDA chief executive officer Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid remarked that Agilent plays a significant role in supporting the growth of Malaysia’s semiconductor value chain. The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) strengthens the overall industrial ecosystem by advancing skills, research, and infrastructure, which in turn supports high-value companies like Agilent and helps the semiconductor sector become more resilient.
The NSS is Malaysia’s 10-year plan to elevate its semiconductor industry from assembly and testing into a global hub for advanced chip design, manufacturing, and research and development. Meanwhile, Agilent’s Interim President for Order Fulfilment and Supply Chain and Vice President for Global Instrument Manufacturing, Chow Woai Sheng, noted that human-machine collaboration can enhance capabilities and create new opportunities in adapting to changing market conditions.
At Agilent, 88 percent of its local workforce in Penang have been upskilled through a digital training programme to support the company’s 4IR transformation. As the company advances the application of AI in producing life sciences instruments, Agilent continues to collaborate with Malaysia’s scientific community to accelerate discoveries and improve quality of life worldwide.