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2 30 TECHNO DREAMS 30 TECHNO DREAMS Copyright @2023 MTDC First Edition, 2023 Malaysia Publisher: Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) Ground Floor Menara Yayasan Tun Razak Jalan Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Telephone : +6 03 2172-6000 Email : [email protected] Publication Director & Editor: Mariamah Hj Daud Assistant Editor: Mariatini Othman Concept: bzBee Consult Sdn. Bhd. Cover Image: The Gates Of Elysium by Joshua Smith Photography: Grey Imaging Studio Layout & Graphic Design: Jagat Media PLT ISBN 978-967-12280-1-2 All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC). 2 30 TECHNO DREAMS
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION iii (MTDC) 30 TECHNO DREAMS The core of MTDC lies in the success and strengths of the companies within its ecosystem. Therefore, the technopreneur who ‘dared to dream’ is the inspiration for 30 Techno Dreams - the vision followed by the journey of each technopreneur in taking the companies to the global stage. This publication begins with the dream-like landscape cover - the image of a vessel sailing into the unknown, navigating through obstacles towards the light. It tells the story of the entrepreneur going through challenges, withstanding hardship and moving towards greatness - the experience and aspiration to be the best in the industry. More importantly, how to rise above it all en-route to globalisation.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION i (MTDC) PREFACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT These words perfectly set the stage for our journey into ‘30 Techno Dreams.’ In the pages that follow, you’ll witness the extraordinary stories of technopreneurs who dared to dream together with MTDC. Together, we make their dreams come true. This book, ‘30 Techno Dreams,’ is a testament to my 30 years with MTDC—a journey that has been nothing short of inspiring. It is also my tribute to the dedication and innovation I’ve witnessed along my journey. The pages beyond invite us to reflect on our own lives, inspire us to follow our dreams and learn the kinds of challenges we need to be willing to overcome, as these remarkable individuals did. The 30 personalities we feature have gotten closer to where they want to be—a simple concept yet something most of us never quite accomplish. But I assure you, we can. I hope it will ignite the spark of technopreneurship in the hearts of future trailblazers, in both the tech industry and in life. I have a dream as well, though it has evolved over the years. Once an entrepreneur, the entrepreneurial DNA never fades. My dream was to return to business, but as life would have it, I found a different calling. My days are now devoted to assisting, nurturing, and mentoring technopreneurs and researchers in bringing their technologies to life. It’s been a fulfilling journey watching these companies grow from mere ideas into thriving businesses, with some even listed on Bursa Malaysia. Along this path, I’ve been fortunate to receive support from various quarters, and on behalf of MTDC, I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to those who made this journey possible: To the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Economy (ME), Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) for entrusting MTDC to manage vital funding programmes that have fueled the growth and development of countless technology—based companies and technopreneurs. The funding also accelerates the technology transfer and commercialisation of in-house and public sector R&D. In addition to our funders, our gratitude also goes to Khazanah Nasional Berhad for their continuous support. I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Founding Chairman of MTDC, Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman, MTDC Board of Directors and former CEO of MTDC, Dato’ Norhalim Yunus for their unwavering guidance and support. A special thanks to the Chairman and CEO of the 30 Techno Companies featured in ‘30 Techno Dreams.’ Your commitment and support despite your demanding global schedules have been instrumental in bringing these stories to light. I’m deeply grateful as well to the entire management and staff of MTDC, especially my fellow colleagues, Mariatini Othman, Dr. Wan Raihana Wan Asim, Imran Ibrahim, Abdul Hafiz Mohamed, and not to forget the Portfolio Managers, Corporate Communications Department, and Research Department. Your assistance and dedication in the long and arduous 3-year project have been invaluable. Lastly, my warm thanks to our creative partners: bzBee for the concept, Grey Imaging for photography, and Jagat Media for their exceptional graphic design and layout work. These passionate entrepreneurs haven’t just been contractors on this project; they’ve joined me with unwavering enthusiasm and sincere support. While my dream of becoming an entrepreneur again may remain unfulfilled, I’ve come to realise that my passion for helping entrepreneurs has become my business—a thriving and fulfilling one at that. Life often takes unexpected turns, and our dreams evolve, but as long as we find purpose and fulfilment in our journey, we’re on the right path. As I reflect on these remarkable stories within ‘30 Techno Dreams,’ I’m reminded of the profound words: “Dreams are the compass of our hearts.” It’s a compass that may not always lead us where we intended, but it guides us to where we are meant to be. Here’s to embracing the ever-evolving dreams that shape our lives and lead us to greatness. “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” - John Lennon Mariamah Hj. Daud Publication Director & Editor Director of Technology Development Division MTDC MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION i (MTDC)
ii 30 TECHNO DREAMS CONTENTS A LEGACY OF DREAMS: FOREWORD FROM TRAILBLAZERS FOREWORD BY CHAIRMAN 1 Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat MESSAGE BY CEO 2 Ts. Hj. Mohammad Hazani Hj. Hassan FOUNDING CHAIRMAN’S DREAM 3 Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS: FROM MALAYSIA TO THE GLOBAL MARKET AWAKENING DREAMS 9 Globetronics Technology Berhad PAVING DREAMS FROM LIFE LESSONS 13 Greatech Technology Berhad DREAMS IN SIGHT 17 TT Vision Holdings Berhad WHEN DREAMS FIND WINGS 21 MIT Innovation Sdn. Bhd. EMBRACING 4IR: CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES WAKING UP IN SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM 27 Sophic Automation Sdn. Bhd. IF DREAMS COULD FLY 31 Meraque Services Sdn. Bhd. QUEST FOR A DREAM BRAND 35 Bateriku (M) Sdn. Bhd. LIVING THE DREAM, SO 39 THAT OTHERS MAY DREAM DF Automation & Robotics Sdn. Bhd. THE EXTRA MILE 43 TO SEE THE DREAM Nexagate Sdn. Bhd. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM? 47 Twistcode Technologies Sdn. Bhd. ROBOTS DELIVER A FATHER’S DREAM 51 TechCapital Resources Sdn. Bhd. A DREAM IN ROBOTICS 55 Vepro Group Sdn. Bhd. LIVING A LIFELONG DREAM 59 Ideasparq Robotics Sdn. Bhd. SECURING THE DREAM 63 Archtron R&D Sdn. Bhd. SHAPING THE DREAM INTO REALITY 67 3D Gens Sdn. Bhd. ii 30 TECHNO DREAMS
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION iii (MTDC) NEW MEDICAL FRONTIERS: BREAKTHROUGH HEALTH SOLUTIONS DREAMS OF SOCIAL MOBILITY 73 Bioapps Sdn. Bhd. THE DREAM JOURNEY 77 Biogenes Technologies Sdn. Bhd. DREAMS FOR THE PEOPLE 81 Cell Tissue Technology Sdn. Bhd. SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, 85 WHILE LIVING THE DREAM Health Digital Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (DoctorOnCall) DREAM-DRIVEN INNOVATION 89 Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn. Bhd. DREAMS ON A MISSION 93 Nitium Technology Sdn. Bhd. DREAMING OF DECODING THE YELLOW 97 Recove Group Sdn. Bhd. FAMILY DREAMS 101 Welford Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd. SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT: STEERING THROUGH CHALLENGING CURRENTS DREAMING OF MORE 107 Taiace Engineering Sdn. Bhd. RENEWABLE DREAMS 111 Heng Hiap Industries Sdn. Bhd. KEEPING THE DREAM AFLAME 115 Dragonpak Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. FUELING DREAMS WITH STRATEGY 119 Double Corporate Sdn. Bhd. DREAMING OF A SMOOTHER JOURNEY 123 Novapave Sdn. Bhd. ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE: HEALTH THROUGH NATURE DREAMS FROM THE KITCHEN 129 Bio Harvest Sdn. Bhd. DREAMS TESTED BY TIME 133 Medika Natura Sdn. Bhd. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION iii (MTDC)
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) v A Legacy of Dreams Foreword from Trailblazers
vi 30 TECHNO DREAMS MTDC, a proven champion of technology, would have the right fit as co-ordinator and assumes the role of game-changer to realise the Nation’s technology innovation goals
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 1 FOREWORD BY CHAIRMAN Leading economies across the globe have successfully used technology to attain market leadership and economic dominance. Technology therefore should be the backbone of Malaysia’s economic growth, as we stride forth to regain our status as one of Asia’s leading economic tigers. Without technological advancement, the cost of production for our industries, goods and services will continue to remain noncompetitive and this does not bode well if we are to see Malaysia as a developed nation. With this in mind, we take note that economic empowerment is one of the objectives of the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025, which espouses shared prosperity as the value proposition to the Rakyat. The Plan lists the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the digital economy, science, technology, innovation, and commercialisation as among the strategic enablers. Therefore, it is imperative that we strengthen a national strategy for high-technology innovation, with an enabling environment for vigorous commercialisation and a dynamic ecosystem in which Malaysian industries, SMEs and budding technopreneurs may excel, and compete successfully in the global arena. Malaysians currently are the most connected to the internet worldwide when compared to our regional neighbours. However, digital technologies have not made a commensurate impact on domestic businesses for a large cross-section of the private sector. The sustainability of Malaysia’s economic growth hinges on the upskilling and training of our 15 million-strong human capital, with the scaling up of efforts to emphasise technical skills and entrepreneurship as a conduit towards this purpose. This can be accomplished at all educational levels, as well as collaborating with industries. Technology has taken the centre stage in our lives and has impacted all sectors of society, changing things for the better. Technological ideas continue to be unleashed as the world becomes more involved in exploring and utilising the resources nature provides. It has improved efficiency in service delivery, especially in the fields of agriculture, business, education and healthcare. Therefore, any development for high-technology innovation requires a coordinated effort so as to streamline the various government initiatives. An anchor organisation with proven expertise, a robust infrastructure and sufficient resources, as well as capital, can provide leverage to drive this effort. MTDC, a proven champion of technology, has the right fit as co-ordinator and game changer in realising the Nation’s technology innovation goals, especially noting MTDC’s illustrious track record for more than two decades. MTDC had garnered remarkable successes in facilitating, nurturing, developing and funding budding technopreneurs, some of whom have already established their footprint in the global market. The 30 successful technopreneurs featured in this publication are testimony to MTDC’s effective facilitation of global competitiveness for Malaysian SMIs and SMEs. Malaysia’s dream of becoming a developed nation with a prosperous, balanced and sustainable economy would not come to fruition without a robust technology and innovation ecosystem. It is my sincere hope that the dreams of the visionary entrepreneurs featured in this book serve not only as a reminder of what can be achieved when the ecosystem works in synchrony but also to serve as a promise that MTDC will continue to strive as an organisation that is committed to bring many more technopreneur dreams into reality. Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat Chairman MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 1
2 30 TECHNO DREAMS In order to expedite technology advancement in the country, we need various ministries and agencies as well as the private sectors to work seamlessly, sharing information and expertise. Only then, can we streamline our growth to a successful technology transfer and commercialisation on a wide scale
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 3 MESSAGE BY CEO “I have a dream… “ How many successes began with ‘a dream’? Dreams capture an idea, a feeling, a sense of how we’d like the future to be. If we visualise that future then we have set up goals, and visualised goals are easier to plan for. Plans provide pathways and give directions for a dream to be realised. Once achieved, we dream again, and a new goal appears, which may in turn bring forth an even bigger dream. But all of this began with that first single dream that may have looked to others like some unrealistic fancy. Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman, MTDC’s Founding Chairman, dreamt of a transformed Malaysia with an economic growth supported by technologies. This dream led the way to establishing many firsts for Malaysia – the National STI Policy, a technology bank, a venture capital ecosystem, a technology incubation centre, and MTDC. With the necessary infrastructure and policies put in place, the dream that he long harboured and worked for, is quickly and positively assuming the shape of a reality. ‘MTDC kickstarted the research, development and commercialisation in Malaysia,’ he said, with much pride. And rightly so. MTDC’s Chairman, Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat dreamt of a Malaysia with a sustainable ecosystem, where every Malaysian prospers, fuelled by the country’s own technology and innovation capabilities, as facilitated by MTDC. The technology-based companies portrayed in this book are within MTDC’s ecosystem, and each of their success stories is a milestone that marks the journey to where our Chairman dreamt our country would be. All dreams are challenged by surprises and setbacks, whether on a national or global scale, or in the day to day, year by year existence of the company’s found in this book. Economic crisis, political turmoil, pandemic, natural disasters - they affect us all. But through such pains, a dream can be distilled into a vision; one that is not easily deterred by obstacles. Since MTDC’s inception in 1992, MTDC has grown more than 400 companies through its services and has facilitated more than 20 start-ups to listing in Bursa Malaysia, as well as the stock exchange market overseas. These are the stories of real entrepreneurs, who dared to dream big dreams and worked towards seeing them realised. They had the discipline to press their dreams into a plan, within which roadmaps were drawn, risks mitigated, needs assessed, and for which partners were found. MTDC is glad to have walked that journey with them as these technopreneurs realised their dreams. And all of these journeys - theirs, ours, our country’s - they all started with a dream; our Technodream. Ts. Hj. Mohammad Hazani Hj. Hassan Chief Executive Officer MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 3
4 30 TECHNO DREAMS When we started MTDC, we were the first truly Malaysian venture capital company
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 5 FOUNDING CHAIRMAN’S DREAM Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman was the first Science Advisor to Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, from July 1984 till January 2001. In his role, Tan Sri Dr Omar had a dream in which Malaysia would be a nation where Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) would form the basis for prosperity and well-being for all Malaysians. He identified the need and was in a position to initiate processes and institutions to strengthen the STI ecosystem for the Nation. To ensure a holistic approach, he consulted with colleagues in the scientific community and government officials to strengthen the case for the new initiatives and to garner support. To fulfil this dream, Tan Sri Dr. Omar envisioned the establishment of two entities: the Malaysian Technology Investment Corporation (MTIC) to provide funding for investment in technology enterprises and technology startups and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) for commercialisation of R&D results and promotion of technology transfer. Following a visit to Seoul, Tan Sri Dr. Omar together with three members of National Council for Scientific Research and Development (NCSRD) became acquainted with the Korean Technology Development Corporation (KTDC) and their facilities supporting technology enterprises and all decided to model MTDC based on KTDC model. Shortly after, a cabinet paper for the establishment of the organisations was prepared by Tan Sri Dr. Omar, presented to the NCSRD and eventually presented to Cabinet by the Prime Minister. It turned out only one agency was approved by the Government to take up both functions – venture capital company and technology transfer organisation providing complete solutions to commercialise local Research & Development (R&D), with a combination of technological expertise and venture capital capability. According to Tan Sri Dr. Omar, “When we started MTDC, we were the first truly Malaysian venture capital company.” Upon approval, MTDC was put under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). Thus, in 1992, the year of MTDC’s establishment, marked the birth of Tan Sri Dr. Omar’s dream. The founding of MTDC was an important first step in the overall push for the Nation’s STI agenda in the era of industrialisation. MTDC was the driving force that served to bring together the industry, academia and government, producing the compounding effect the country needed to drive the Nation’s development. When designing the instrument for Malaysia’s socioeconomic transformation, Tan Sri Dr. Omar identified four critical groups of technologies essential for the transformation; for meeting basic human needs; for quality of life; for wealth creation in support of economic growth, and technologies for good governance in both public and private sector. Tan Sri once said, “MTDC had accomplished this. It trail-blazed the venture capital industry and kickstarted research, development and commercialisation in Malaysia. I am proud to be part of that.” Given his deep interest in science and innovation, Tan Sri Dr. Omar considers himself blessed to witness STI as one of the key elements for the Nation’s economic and social progress. As Science Advisor to the government, Tan Sri felt that technology generated locally must be transferred to the marketplace, and technology from outside must be identified, selected, and imported into the country. This is still true today. During the preparation of this book, Tan Sri Dr. Omar had visited the UPM-MTDC Technology Centre in UPM, Serdang and was proud to see the fruits of MTDC’s partnerships with universities, just as he envisioned over three decades ago. Since its formation, MTDC has partnered with Malaysian technology companies by catalysing their growth, increasing their technology capabilities and facilitating their development to be on par with global players; all with the implementation of truly Malaysian technologies and innovations. Now, as the current industrial revolution powers the world forward ever faster, MTDC continues its original mandate to develop the Malaysian technology landscape and keep its founder’s dream alive. Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 5
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 7 INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS From Malaysia to the Global Market
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 9 You are the centre of everything. Nobody is going to tell you what to do… Nothing is impossible to overcome… It is all in your mind globetronics.com.my Globetronics began life in 1991, with Dato’ Heng Huck Lee joining as CEO some six years later. His presence brought about many transformative and successful technical breakthroughs. From its early days in a 20,000 square foot facility, Globetronics has grown to now become a company listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia, with eight subsidiaries and one associate company. Its paid-up capital exceeds RM170 million and the group has multiple manufacturing sites across Malaysia. “Our mission is to deliver continuous business growth and expansion while delivering total customer satisfaction,” says Dato’ Heng, “I believe the same goes for ourselves personally: to do a good job in everything we commit to.” Even as a child, Dato’ Heng had commitments he needed to attend to responsibly. He recollects how he would study at night by a kerosene hurricane lamp before going to sleep, knowing that he needed to be up again at 5.00 a.m. morning. Each morning he fed the poultry, worked the well, and tended the plants before heading off to school. All of this, as well as caring for his younger siblings. It was a hard life, but those formative years ingrained in him the importance of working hard, being resourceful, managing time, and being independent. From such humble beginnings, Dato’ Heng found life in technology. His near forty-year career began with Intel, where he received Dato’ Heng Huck Lee good trainings and significant amount of exposures. Dato’ Heng Chief Executive Officer Globetronics Technology Berhad AWAKENING DREAMS
10 30 TECHNO DREAMS remembers, “We tried to expand into the line of electronics assembly with auto-insertion. It all started when Intel happened to be looking for a local service partner to take over one of its processes/operations.” So it was that a number of local companies were given the opportunity to take over some of Intel’s more mature lines with their supply ecosystem. This was the endeavour that caught hold of Dato’ Heng’s entrepreneurial imagination. He saw that here was a chance for him to run a whole company rather than only managing specialised areas. He never looked back after that. When Intel contracted Globetronics Technology Berhad as a manufacturing company, consigning most of its production facility, a boon for Globetronics was that with Dato’ Heng’s leadership they already had knowledge of Intel and its operating culture. This partnership allowed for a smooth transfer of knowledge from Intel and new technology was developed that was critical to giving Globetronics the lead in the industry. Start off with a clear business idea, have a few key members, have strong support from shareholders and customers, and be prepared to work very hard “We constantly re-invented ourselves with new products, technology and expansion with new customers,” says Dato’ Heng, “That made the transfer out from Intel to Globetronics easier, and safer for Intel also. It was truly a win-win situation.” Globetronics Technology Berhad is one of the earliest companies to have received investments from MTDC. This was at a very timely stage for the company as it not only allowed Globetronics to come out from the financial challenges they faced at that time, but it also opened the door for a new operation to begin. MTDC’s interest in Globetronics has certainly been long term, as MTDC still has a seat on the Globetronics’ board. TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Globetronics Technology Berhad is engaged in the manufacturing, assembly, testing and sales of integrated circuits, chip carrier quartz crystal products, opto-electronic products, small outline components, light emitting diode (LED) components and modules, sensors and optical products, as well as electronics/ semiconductor components and technical plating services. Their manufacturing experience has enabled the company to run multiple product ranges and capabilities, with product applications into industrial, consumer and automotive products. With their state of the art manufacturing facilities, holding cleanrooms of up to Class 100, Globetronics has been able to cater to the variously stringent requirements of all their customers in different industries. Globetronics manufactures a wide range of quartz and timing devices for the telecommunications and automotive industry, with applications for cell phones, GPS, PCs and tablets. Their
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 11 MANUFACTURING 7SITES 5BILLION 76% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 32YEARS IN BUSINESS CO-FOUNDERS 700 TEAM MEMBERS ELECTRONICS & SEMICONDUCTOR 24% LISTED ON MAIN MARKET GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES MALAYSIA GERMANY AUSTRIA USA JAPAN SINGAPORE 6 CORPORATE • 1998 QUALITY MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD • 2001 KLSE CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD • 2002 KLSE CORPORATE MERIT AWARD • 2002 ASIA PACIFIC ICT ALLIANCE (APICTA) AWARD CUSTOMERS • 1991 INTEL RECOGNITION AWARD • 1994 INTEL CUSTOMER SERVICES EXCELLENCE AWARD • 1998 ENTERPRISE 50 AWARD • 1999 AMD SUPPLIER AWARD, STM BEST SUPPLIER AWARD, INTEL DIVISIONAL AWARD • 2005 INTEL RECOGNITION AWARD • 2007 CREE APPRECIATION AWARD, AVAGO RECOGNITION AWARD • 2022 ASM-OSRAM SUPPLIER APPRECIATION AWARD 18 JANUARY 2001 FACILITIES 700,000SQFT UNITS (IN LAST 4 YEARS) SHIPPED TO GLOBAL CUSTOMERS FROM TO ACHIEVEMENTS quartz crystal and timing devices are used in a wide variety of electronic products, including PCs and mobile phones. As for automotive applications, their devices are used for in-vehicle audiovisual equipment, car navigation systems, driving control systems and safety control systems. In addition, Globetronics provides a wide range of chemical related products and indirect materials that are in compliance to ROHS/REACH requirements to support many semiconductor companies. Globetronics is proud of their dedicated and technical workforce, who continually strive to maintain operational excellence, achieving world class manufacturing yields. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 11
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 13 To build trust, one must invest in relationships greatech-group.com Dato’ Tan Eng Kee Chief Executive Officer Greatech Technology Berhad PAVING DREAMS FROM LIFE LESSONS Even though Dato’ Tan Eng Kee’s (EK) initial inspiration for becoming an entrepreneur was to become rich, the words of his mother reminded him of something more important. “You must always have a backbone,” she said, “Always do the right thing.” When he was still at secondary school in Penang, EK’s father passed away and his mother became the household’s sole provider. However, even at 13 years old, EK played his part. He did odd jobs and sold kuih to help bolster the family’s finances. Therefore, as a young teenager, EK quickly learnt about hard work and responsibility, understanding how to be thrifty and to get on with people. EK later attended Taekwondo lessons, which provided him with a sense of focus and purpose. His amiable personality led to the Taekwondo master, En. Amir, assigning him the task of collecting the association fees. Under EK’s watch, the society’s kitty was kept strong as the young man was able to appeal to his teammates, so that they would cooperate and pay their fees on time.
14 30 TECHNO DREAMS In 1991, EK studied engineering at the Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (POLIMAS), Kedah, where he acquired skills in tooling and automation. From here, he worked as a production planner in a precision tooling company and subsequently began his own business venture – Greatech (M) Sdn. Bhd. Established in 1993, EK’s first company principally manufactured component parts for engineering equipment and at the age of 26, EK had bought his first BMW. 1997 saw EK go on to establish Greatech Integration (M) Sdn. Bhd. This company initially focused on industrial automation – primarily the manufacture of semiautomated and automated equipment for the consumer electronics sector. However, EK saw there were limits to the local market and so he set his sights on going global. Then the 1999 financial crisis hit Malaysia and Greatech Integration was one of its casualties. EK recognises the lessons he learnt from this time, but he also needed to draw on lessons learnt from his youth - this again was a time for an astute management of cash flow. He ensured that outstanding customer payments were pursued diligently, so as to ensure the timing of stock purchases and therefore maintain quality. He also knew that acquiring a broad base of customers who are good paymasters would be a winning strategy. He was proved right, and whilst standing firm on these principles, EK also believes in rewarding those who believe in him, harkening back to the trust that It is important to have good customers. When you face a crisis, good practices help you weather difficulties was placed in him as a young man. To EK, talent development, education, and helping the underprivileged are all very important, but trust is the key, In 2002, Greatech Technology Berhad received funding from MTDC for the commercialisation of one of their R&D projects and to allow them to acquire much needed foreign technology. Greatech has come a long way since those humble beginnings, when they first became acquainted with MTDC and received essential funding. This came at a time that was key to the company’s survival, but MTDC also followed this up by connecting Greatech to a larger network and providing much appreciated business advice. From this support, the company was able to grow exponentially in the following years, and decades, until now their market capitalisation stands at more than RM5 billion.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 15 DEBUT ON THE ACE MARKET 13 JUNE 2019 TRANSFER TO MAIN MARKET 28 DECEMBER 2020 GREATECH 87% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 30 CO-FOUNDERS 1200 TEAM MEMBERS • 2023 - LISTED UNDER FORBES ASIA’S BEST UNDER A BILLION • 2023 - FTSE4GOOD BURSA MALAYSIA INDEX & FTSE4GOOD BURSA MALAYSIA SHARIAH INDEX • 2023 - PBA (PERBADANAN BEKALAN AIR PULAU PINANG) AQUA SAVE PROGRAMME CERTIFICATION • 2023 - PENANG GREEN OFFICE 2023-2025 AWARD • 2022 - LISTED UNDER FORBES ASIA’S BEST UNDER A BILLION • 2022 - THE EDGE ESG AWARDS • 2022 - AMMI ESG AWARDS • 2022 - IET MALAYSIA INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE PLATINUM AWARD 2022 • 2022 - FTSE4GOOD BURSA MALAYSIA INDEX & FTSE4GOOD BURSA MALAYSIA SHARIAH INDEX • 2021 - MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS WATCH GROUP’S MSWG-ASEAN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AWARD WITH A RANKING OF 35TH AMONG THE TOP 100 COMPANIES • 2021 - ASEAN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE SCORECARD AWARD UNDER THE CATEGORY ASEAN ASSET CLASS PLCS 13% GLOBAL MARKET 8COUNTRIES YEARS IN BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SOLUTIONS FROM TO MANUFACTURING 5SITES FACILITIES 755,000SQFT USA INDIA IRELAND VIETNAM CHINA JAPAN MALAYSIA SINGAPORE ACHIEVEMENTS TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Greatech Technology Berhad has etched its mark at the vanguard of global automation, reshaping industries spanning solar, semiconductor, consumer electronics, energy storage, medical, and life sciences. With an illustrious 30-year history, they’ve honed their mastery in designing, developing, and manufacturing cutting-edge automation and robotics solutions that redefine industry paradigms. What sets Greatech apart is its pool of design and engineering specialists who collaborate closely with multinational customers to engineer bespoke automation systems. This yields intricate automation solutions, a testament to Greatech’s commitment to innovation. As innovation is Greatech’s lifeblood, they continually push boundaries, pioneering new solutions through in-house expertise and partnerships with local universities and engineering centres. This ensures their enduring prominence at the forefront of automation and robotics technology. Their extensive technology portfolio includes machine vision systems, empowering automation with visual acuity with their prized Greatech Vision Software (GVS), catering to a spectrum of industry needs. As components shrink to submicron scales, Greatech’s sub-micron placer machines deliver unrivalled precision and repeatability. Their foray into the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) also propels manufacturing into the future together with their laser expertise that augments production in the photovoltaic and thin-film module technology offering advanced laser processing tools. As pioneers in precision automation, they’ve revolutionised industries, boosted productivity, and set new benchmarks in quality and efficiency. In an ever-evolving landscape, Greatech Technology Berhad remains the beacon of industry excellence. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 15
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 17 Goon Koon Yin, a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduate in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, worked at Motorola Malaysia from 1994 till 2001. His vast knowledge and experience cover areas such as the design and development of vision inspection algorithms, robotic systems, artificial intelligence, machine software, motion control, calibration and metrology, as well as automation systems. With such understanding, he was motivated to establish, with four other shareholders, TT Vision Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (TT Vision) in 2001. Things were not easy in those early days, as they operated with limited financial resources from a rented shop-house at Sungai Ara in Penang. However, due to their previous days working at multinational companies, the team was able to draw on their joint collection of influential contacts, and this soon enabled them to gain an initial contract with Osram, a global leader in optical solutions. Later, the China market brought them into the development of solar cell inspection and sorting equipment, and as a result, TT Vision was able then to purchase a 2-acre site at Bayan Lepas Phase 4 in Penang. Here they set up manufacturing facilities and their administrative offices. Despite continuing challenges, the company successfully secured key customers and developed projects that generated volume and repeat orders. The company adopted a market and collaboration strategy with anchor customers on new and ttvision-tech.com Goon Koon Yin Executive Chairman TT Vision Holdings Berhad DREAMS IN SIGHT Uphold your integrity, be honest and work hard
18 30 TECHNO DREAMS customised products with technology commercialisation. This two-pronged approach successfully allowed breadth and depth in TT Vision’s market penetration. The company has since participated in conferences and exhibitions across the world presenting their technological capabilities in North America and Europe, as well as across Asia. TT Vision is committed to standardising, centralising and localising for efficiency, as well as for leverage, so that they can provide greater value for their customers and employees. This is by focusing on quality, reliability and corporate values. In their commitment to being a responsible employer, TT Vision provides recreational facilities and activities for their staff, emphasising the importance of recreation and wellness, and helping to maintain a good work-life balance. Do not be too hung-up on profit margins but focus on capturing the market and establish, as well as maintain, brand and product reputation From his vast experience, Goon Koon Yin advises future technopreneurs to focus on their core competencies, to avoid diversion during those early stages of business, and to work harder than their competitors to satisfy their customers. He warns against being too ‘hung-up’ on profit margins, encouraging a focus on capturing the market and on establishing and maintaining strong brand-product reputation. TT Vision has received the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) from MTDC in 2002 to commercialise one of their R&D products. MTDC’s investment in the company in 2010 via Non-ICT Fund has enabled them to augment their activities to a higher level and so expand into the solar industry. Therefore, TT Vision’s high technology products now include optoelectronics inspection equipment, solar inspection and inspecting equipment, discrete component and integrated circuit inspection equipment, and vision guided robotic equipment. Other related products and services include their photovoltaic business with its production capacity that exceeds 3 GW. The earlier grants that they received from MTDC were invaluable towards commercialising their R&D activities and allowing expansion to markets abroad.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 19 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS TT Vision is a technology driven company specialising in the development of automated machine vision solutions. They offer cost effective PC-based vision systems through innovative solutions developed in-house. Their high speed, high accuracy and highly repeatable system is the result of years of research of refinement from extensive field tests. Executive Chairman, Goon Koon Yin, brings his extensive experience to TT Vision in areas such as quality management systems and improvement techniques in FAILURE Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), Design of Experiment (DOE), Eight Disciplines Model (8D), Gauge Repeatability & Reproducibility (GR&R), Lean Six Sigma, and Statistical Process Control (SPC). Goon has been representing TT Vision Technologies as a member of the Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association of Malaysia (MEMA) since 2013. A manufacturer of machine vision equipment that was founded in 2001, the company has a global presence in 10 countries world-wide. As part of the TT Vision Group, TT Vision Technologies Sdn. Bhd. present its leading brand in equipment vision inspection with innovative solutions, people-friendly technology and costeffectiveness. TT Innovation Centres Sdn. Bhd. aspires to be a global leader in providing superior systems that complement the machine vision inspection industry. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 19 LISTED ON THE LEAP MARKET 9 MAY 2019 LISTED ON ACE MARKET 18 JANUARY 2023 40% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 22 CO-FOUNDERS 113 TEAM MEMBERS MACHINE VISION EQUIPMENT 60% ■ 2005 - WINNER OF GOLDEN BULL AWARD (3RD MALAYSIA’S 100 OUTSTANDING SMES) ■ 2006 - WINNER OF GOLDEN BULL AWARD (4TH MALAYSIA’S 100 OUTSTANDING SMES) ■ 2006 - WINNER OF DELOITTE TECHNOLOGY FAST 500 ASIA PACIFIC (RANKED 129TH) ■ 2007 - WINNER OF GOLDEN BULL 2007 AWARD (DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND ASSEMBLE OF VISION INSPECTION EQUIPMENT) ■ 2007 - WINNER OF ENTERPRISE 50 AWARD ■ 2009 - ISO 9001 : 2015 (AWARDED BY TUV RHEINLAND CERT GMBH) ■ 2010 - 1-INNO CERT RATING-AAA THAILAND GERMANY USA CHINA SOUTH KOREA JAPAN HONG KONG PHILIPPINES MALAYSIA SINGAPORE GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO R&D INVESTMENT RM25 MILLION FACILITIES 55,000 SQFT ACHIEVEMENTS MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 19
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 21 It is not about what you have. It is about what you can do mit-technologies.com Ahmed Tahoun Chief Executive Officer MIT Innovation Sdn. Bhd. WHEN DREAMS FIND WINGS MIT Innovation started out as a sketch on a napkin in a coffee shop. The seed of an idea, like those Ahmed Tahoun experimented with as a child. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Ahmed was the eldest of six children. Once wealthy landowners, the family had lost their land and Ahmed was born into a poor household. Still a curious boy, he enjoyed tinkering with things, creating all sorts of wild creations and contraptions. Fascinated by flight, Ahmed spent a lot of his time making model aeroplanes, and eventually, it was his inventions that qualified him to enter a competition in Cairo, some 200 km from his home. He was unable to go, but his mother’s belief in him was not daunted. She told him, “When you grow up, you will travel the world.” Ahmed graduated from the University of Alexandria and, after completing National Service, he was offered a position at the international oil and gas service company, SLB. As a Wireline Field Engineer, Ahmed travelled to Syria, Yemen, and Qatar, returning to Egypt as a district manager. SLB then offered him the position of Personnel Development Manager at their headquarters in Paris, France. SLB later sent Ahmed to Malaysia, as well as Brunei and the Philippines, and in 2005, he became the Technical Manager for the SLB Research Center in Japan. Following this, he was about to be sent back to France, but his wife and two children wanted to return to Malaysia. Moved by his family’s yearning, Ahmed made a life-changing decision and left SLB to start his own business in Malaysia.
22 30 TECHNO DREAMS Together with his business partner, Nik Mustapha Fathil, and the support of many friends, Ahmed set up Omni Oil Technologies in Malaysia. MIT Innovation was soon to follow. Maintaining his creative mindset of continuous improvement, Ahmed and his team of four saw reliable technology being locally designed, produced, manufactured, and then deployed for clients all around the world. In fact, MIT Innovation was the first local company in the oil and gas service sector to receive an international award; the OTC ‘SpotLight on New Technology’ Award, granted in 2016. Also in that year, they became the first to receive the MCY Prime Minister Supreme award. The company’s footprint now covers not only Malaysia, but also Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, South Africa, USA, and most recently they have expanded into Mexico. MIT Technologies has truly flown up and away from that first sketch on a napkin, powered by the many hands of their engineers and technical staff. The Company was approved the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) funding to commercialise its in-house R&D of Intelligent Circulation While Drilling Device (iCWD). The financial assistance combined with MTDC’s advisory services helped them to navigate their way through the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advanced CNC machines that they were able to procure through MTDC’s assistance allowed the company not only to continue producing their own spare parts, when their suppliers were not operating, but also to move more into the markets across SE Asia, the Middle East and North America. All this ensured that MIT Innovation could continue providing services to clients in Malaysia and overseas, as well as retaining their staff, paying their salaries on time without any reduction. The secret recipe for longevity learned from those century old giants, like SLB… it’s all about people, technology, and profit
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 23 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS MIT Innovation Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated to provide R&D solutions, in the design and manufacturing of smart drilling tools to improve the drilling economics of oil and gas wells. Together with Petronas, the company jointly developed the Intelligent Circulation While Drilling (iCWD) system – a selfpowered valve system that comes with internal electronics, power supplies, and sensors for operations at thousands of meters below earth surface. Upon receipt of command from the surface through a patented communication system, the valve will autonomously operate to any one of four desired drilling states – channel drilling fluid to the drill bit, divert all drilling fluid to the drilling string annulus, split the fluid into both drill bit and outside the annulus of the drilling string or completely prevent any fluid from flowing in. Comparatively, iCWD technology eliminated the restrictions of other older technologies such as the ‘drop ball’ mechanism so work is made easier, cheaper and most certainly faster. One of the most challenging barriers to commercialisation for any technology within oil and gas is to prove its performance in a real-life field test. Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) was able to provide the well-structured information needed, as well as access to available channels for financing. This brought about the link with MTDC and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, MIT Innovation was able to survive thanks to the machinery procured through MTDC’s Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) programme. Today, iCWD has total domination of the market share across 8 nations and in collaboration with 14 distinguished clients. 40% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 12 45 CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS 60% GLOBAL MARKET 8COUNTRIES YEARS IN BUSINESS UPSTREAM OIL & GAS FROM TO RM38 MILLION R&D INVESTMENT PATENTS 5 ESTABLISHED IN COUNTRIES (AUSTRALIA, CANADA, EUROPE, USA AND MALAYSIA) USA MEXICO SOUTH AFRICA MALAYSIA THAILAND UAE INDONESIA BRUNEI ACHIEVEMENTS MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 23
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 25 cutting-edge technologIES EMBRACING IR
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 27 I was comfortable working in the world of MNCs, but I thought that being Malaysian, I should see how things actually work in Malaysia! sophicautomation.com Koh Dim Kuan Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Sophic Automation Sdn. Bhd. You could say that Koh Dim Kuan, also known as ‘DK’, was an accidental entrepreneur. His first job after leaving university was with Intel in Penang, and he had spent a fairly enjoyable and secure few years there. However, one weekend he arranged to meet with a friend and former colleague named Lee Chee Hoo. Lee had left Intel a couple of years earlier and had set up a company with an angel investor. The investor was with Lee that day, and as DK chatted with his old friend the conversation turned to the business and soon DK realised he was being given the chance to join them. He had to admit that he had been wondering if there was anything more to working with a multi-national company or would it be pretty much the same now for years to come? And, suddenly, here was an opportunity to try something new. It all seemed good. He trusted Lee, who had already been working with the investor for two years. And he had said that he would leave Lee and DK to pretty much run the company themselves. DK made a decision. He would resign from Intel and join his friend in this electronics start-up. This was in 2008 and a global financial crisis was around the corner. It wasn’t long until things got tough and the investor announced that he was pulling out. They couldn’t believe it, but Lee and DK decided to stay with the company and try to make it work. For a moment, DK did consider returning to Intel, or WAKING UP IN SOMEONE ELSE’S DREAM
28 30 TECHNO DREAMS some other secure employer. However, the company had just gained a new client and this gave DK hope. He stayed with Lee and two of them began on the long journey of building up Sophic Automation Sdn. Bhd. Despite things being tough, DK remembers how soon Sophic Automation had the chance to prove themselves with the electronics giant, Sony. Vendors had been invited to try and solve a security issue relating to USB device access control. Everyone seemed to want to fix the problem by using some form of hard, external locking device. Lee and DK saw that a much better solution would be to create the right software for the controller interface. Initially, they were thought to be wrong, but the two partners were drawing on their knowledge from past experience and they were proved right. This resulted in Sophic Automation securing a lucrative contract with Sony. It is from these humble beginnings that the Sophic Automation we see today has However, it seems that DK has a programme set up at Sophic Automation that will allow the team there to gain some of the understanding and thinking that he missed out on when he was younger. Sophic’s Intrapreneurship programme has been set up to encourage creative ideas, foster initiative and responsibility, and see fresh ideas brought to the company. “I had no idea what Intrapreneurship was when I was back at Intel. We had skills training and soft skills training, but I had never heard of this before. I had no idea how to run a business.” Yet despite that, Sophic Automation Sdn. Bhd. goes from strength to strength and nurtures a new innovative and creative generation as it does so. DK first heard of MTDC from a friend, who is a venture capitalists. In 2013, Sophic Automation made a pitch to MTDC, but when MTDC contacted them later, they didn’t do anything about it. However, MTDC did not forget them and We were working with the internet of things before everyone started talking about it. We even work with Things of the Internet grown. From having zero knowledge on entrepreneurship to being the CEO of a RM114 million company, DK has learned many things. He cites the biggest areas of learning being in problem solving, people issues and leadership, as well as communication and handling emotions. “In an MNC,” he remembers, “everyone is from the same training, they have the same expectations. Your biggest problem is head count. But when you work outside you have to really figure things out for yourself. You have to handle your emotions when things don’t turn out the way you want. Stay cool. Be calm.”
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 29 R&D INVESTMENT RM5.2 CLIENTELE ACROSS THE REGION >80 (50 MNCS) PROJECTS >2000 5% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 95% • 2023 2022 - LISTED IN FINANCIAL TIMES 500 ASIA PACIFIC HIGH-GROWTH COMPANIES • 2022 - INTEL GOLD PARTNER • 2022 - SIEMENS DIGITAL PARTNER • 2021 - OUTSTANDING INVESTEE COMPANIES - MVCA • 2021 - RISING DIGITAL LEADER AWARD (PIKOM UNICORN TECH AWARDS) • 2016 & 2018 - BEST INVESTEE COMPANY - MVCA 16 1500 CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL DIGITAL FROM TO SOLUTIONS GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 9 USA COSTA RICA CANADA THAILAND VIETNAM CHINA MALAYSIA SINGAPORE PHILIPPINES FACILITIES 45,000 SQFT 6 LOCATIONS ACHIEVEMENTS MILLION tried reconnecting a year later, and this is when the relationship really began. From 2014, MTDC came on board with Sophic Automation as a preference shareholder. DK talks about how vital it has been to have MTDC alongside the company. A few times Sophic has been approached for acquisition, and the negotiations have been facilitated by MTDC. DK says that there is a great synergy between Sophic Automation and MTDC and it has been invaluable for DK, Lee Chee Hoo and the company in general to have a mentor to guide them through the various stages of growth over the years. TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Sophic Automation Sdn. Bhd. operates with the mission of providing the most innovative and effective industrial automation solutions. They deliver to more than 50 MNCs and SMEs in SE Asia via their integrated SMARTer Solution, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and system integration, automated equipment design and development, software development and data analytic, product engineering services, to automate, digitise and optimise manufacturing operations for better business efficiency, productivity, quality and a safer environment. Sophic Automation is continuously enabling the concept of SMART into their customer’s existing operations and business through our SMARTer solutions, services, and products. Sophic Automation continues to enhance their product range by focused investment in R&D. As an i4.0 digital transformation and modernisation solution provider, Sophic Automaton is always ready to make factories SMARTer, and businesses more efficient. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 29
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 31 meraque.com Upon my shoulders, I carry not just my team. But also their families. That is my motivation Razalee Ismail began his working life as a police officer. The son of a policeman, joining the police force seemed the most natural thing to do. As head of Selangor crime division, he oversaw cleaning up the streets from gangsterism and rounding up illegal motorbike racers, amongst others. However, after five years, Razalee had the nagging thought that he could do more. Leaving the force, he joined a facility management company, where he observed the tricks of the trade. Then, in 2018, he left the company and built on what he had learned to set up Meraque Services Sdn. Bhd. However, they had no unique selling proposition and were up against the giants of the industry. Meraque was too small and insignificant to be noticed, let alone make an impact. Razalee needed to up his game. He therefore whisked away his team of four to an isolated island, without internet or phone connection. ‘Digital,’ Razalee said to them, ‘We need to digitalise our services.’ They spent the weekend dissecting that digital dream. Some felt it was too far-fetched. Others thought it could work. Those with doubts left the company. Those who believed stayed and began rebuilding the dissected dream so that it could be developed further. The dream was their guide, giving them a clear purpose and a defined direction. Immediately, a group of IT experts were engaged to build the right software to use with a drone. When ready, Meraque were Razalee Ismail able to do in three weeks, what others took six months to Chief Executive Officer Meraque Services Sdn. Bhd. IF DREAMS COULD FLY
32 30 TECHNO DREAMS complete. This became their muchneeded USP, perfectly addressing clients’ requirements. Meraque therefore won many tenders. Just as Meraque were on a comfortable trajectory to fly high in the industry, COVID-19 happened. With construction jobs halted, clients no longer required their drones. Razalee decided then to organise another deserted-islandthinking session, while half the world was under lockdown. Undeterred, he checked his team into one condominium unit in the centre of Kuala Lumpur. Here they dreamed, made and thrashed out plans, redreamed and replanned. Finally, 282 days later, they emerged with Malaysia’s first hybrid drone, all done by them within the confined walls of the condo. ‘I am not an engineer. And in those days, Meraque was too small to engage engineers,’ Razalee stated, with a hint of amusement, ‘Our technical guys were actually two motorbike racers that I met during my uniformed days. They knew how to modify their own motorbike engines. So I asked them to do the Although a relatively new player in the industry, Meraque are not only a drone service provider; they design and build their own. To be listed 18th in the world by Drone Industry Insights (DII) ‘Drone Service Provider Ranking 2022’ is an amazing feat for a company incepted in 2018. Additionally, Malaysia’s first female drone pilot is one of Meraque’s team, one of that original five from the isolated island excursion many years ago. Razalee is well aware that to stay relevant they must continue innovating. Their drones do well in arial spraying but mature palm oil trees take up 70% of plantations and their canopies make arial spraying less effective. Meraque therefore offers their indigenous Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV) to provide precision spraying up from the ground. Referred to by Razalee as ‘the Tesla of agriculture’, orders for this AGV were received, locally and internationally, when it was still undergoing commercial trial runs, indicating the reputation Meraque has in the industry. Meraque always thinks beyond.. We create opportunities for the underprivileged, the deprived, and the underserved. drone’s engine.’ He added with a laugh, ‘They are now my Heads of Engineers!’ That 282-day Hybrid Drone was designed for the agricultural sector, one of the sectors that lost its foreign workers during the lockdown. Powered by both battery and fuel, the Hybrid Drone could fly for ninety minutes. Compared to other drones, that needed battery charging or swaps every ten minutes, Meraque’s drone was by far more practical. Now their seventy-five Hybrid Drones serve almost one hundred palm oil estates throughout Malaysia, spraying fertilisers and pesticides, reducing dependency on manual labour, so increasing cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 33 6 CO-FOUNDERS 180 TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 6 DRONE TECHNOLOGY & ROBOTIC POWERED SOLUTIONS 1 HYBRID 18WORLD’S TOP th DRONE SERVICE PROVIDER st TECH AGRO SOLUTIONS UAV/DRONE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN OUTSKIRT AND DISASTER AREAS DIGITAL TWIN IN CELL TOWER SOLUTIONS 140 282* 110,000 OF TREE COUNTING & MAPPING IN PALM OIL ESTATES HECTARES 96,000 OF DRONE-SOLUTIONS IN AGRICULTURE FLIGHT HOURS 1.1 BY CLIENTS IN FERTILISER PURCHASED SAVED RM MIL 2.5MIL HECTARES PALM OIL PLANTATION TRAINED PILOTS & COUNTING 20,000 TELCO TOWERS SECURED AGREEMENTS KILOMETRES DRONE DELIVERY ACHIEVEMENTS PARTNERS 3x LONGER FLIGHT TIME COMPARED TO ANY BATTERY DRONE 20,000 IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FLIGHT HOURS DELIVERY BUILDING TALENT TECH TELCO AGRICULTURE • 2023 - EMERGING SMES AWARD, GOLDEN BULL AWARD • 2023 - GOLD AWARD, MODENIZING PRECISION AGRI SOLUTION – HYBRID AGV, INTERNATIONAL INVENTION, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY EXPO • 2023 - GOLD AWARD, INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION AWARDS, MALAYSIA TECHNOLOGY EXPO 2023 • 2023 - VISIONARY GAME CHANGER AWARD, SME & ENTREPRENEURS BUSINESS AWARD 2023 • 2021 - TOP 20 RANKING BY DRONEII.COM FOR GLOBAL DRONE SERVICE PROVIDER • 2022 - INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY OF THE YEAR, MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL AGRICOMMODITY AWARD • 2022 - MOST PROMISING GROWTH COMPANY, TOP IN TECH INNOVATION AWARD • 2021 - BEST PIVOT GROWTH COMPANY, TOP IN TECH INNOVATION AWARD • 2021 - UAV INNOVATOR RISING AWARD, KILAT TRANSPORT EXCELLENCE AWARD • 2021 - TOP 40 RANKING BY DRONEII.COM FOR GLOBAL DRONE SERVICE PROVIDER 20% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 80% PHILIPPINES CHINA PAKISTAN BANGLADESH MALAYSIA INDONESIA What then is it about Razalee that enables his team of 180 to place the company where it is today? The power to dream is not unique. However, Razalee is not only able to convince his team of seemingly impossible dreams, but he energises them to work with him to see those dreams become the reality that Meraque are now enjoying. He considers himself and Meraque to be blessed to have had his first team of four, his chief engineers, his current team and MTDC, while receiving the right support whenever needed, ‘When we first came to MTDC, we were very small,’ Razalee said, ‘But we were treated like we mattered. We were awarded with NTIS and BGF funds. which gave us the breathing space we needed. But more than just financial assistance, MTDC provided us with opportunities that would have otherwise passed us by. MTDC believed in us and that boosted our confidence.’ Meraque’s mantra is ‘Reenergise the future’; and Razalee’s own, ‘Be inspiring and always believe in people’. The combination of these two probably sums up the success of the company. TECHNOLOGY FOCUS The Meraque’s Hybrid Drone for agriculture is able to provide precision spraying whilst maximising productivity, quality and yield of the crops. The drone is capable of a flight time of three times longer than the average flight time of a battery-powered drone. In addition, the Hybrid Drone is capable of achieving 100% accuracy in seedling spraying, further saving time and improving yield by as much as 27%. With the application of the Hybrid Drone, the agriculture sector is able to reduce its operational cost, and labour dependency in the plantation area from 20 workers to 2 workers while reducing human fallibility. Meraque’s AGV is hybrid powered, with Smart Tree Detection System that allows accurate spraying. Having 500L load capacity, the AGV requires only one worker to 25Ha. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 33
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 35 Believe in yourself, because once you’ve decided to do something, you’ve got to do it, whatever it takes to make it happen bateriku.com Bateriku (M) Sdn. Bhd. began in 2014 as an on-demand car battery delivery and installation service, but they soon evolved into Malaysia’s No. 1 connected roadside assistance provider, connecting the dots of battery, breakdown, Bengkel (car workshops) and Bazaar (automotive e-commerce). And now, Bateriku has close to 5,000 people in its ecosystem. Founder and CEO, Azarol Faizi enthusiastically shares his ever expanding vision, saying “I’m committed to empowering B2C customers and B2B customers to utilise BHero for any automotive aftermarket service.” However, Azarol’s entrepreneurial journey started back in 2005, when he set up his first company, Astra Simfoni Sdn. Bhd. The following year he gained the opportunity to supply car batteries to PROTON OEM, and this led to many more B2B contracts with other car brands. However, Azarol felt a frustration in not having contact himself with the end users. “Deep inside, I wanted to build my own brand,” he remembers, recalling how hungry he was to have his car owners database, so that he could continue the service and the sales. He also watched the disruptive success of companies like Grab Azarol Faizi Chief Executive Officer and Founder Bateriku (M) Sdn. Bhd. VISIONARY DREAMS OF DISRUPTION
36 30 TECHNO DREAMS and Gojek, and he wondered if he could replicate this with automotive aftermarket sales. Bateriku was therefore formed with Azarol excited to impress the customers with end-to-end solutions, such as towing, workshops and car parts. However, he was met with much scepticism. Many said they had seen other companies try this before, and they had failed. Azarol was not put off. He says, “I’m the type of person that likes to do things my own way, experimenting with new ideas to improve current processes.” It turned out that Bateriku was actually moving into this area at the right time, especially with their use of the latest technology in data analytics and embracing the sharing economy. They also opted to aggressively market their services via social media. “We growth hacked our way by infusing the brand via a few hugely successful viral videos,” recalls Azarol, adding how their USP of free delivery, installation, inspection “and no charges if it’s not a battery problem” helped them gain the trust of car owners. Now riding on this success, brought about by years of hard work and courageous thinking, Azarol recognises the perennial challenge of talent recruitment. “Competition for good talent is extremely fierce,” he notes, “coming from well-funded companies; not only locally, but globally.” Azarol is therefore passionate to maintain a conducive work culture at Bateriku; a camaraderie that will attract good talent to join the creative and ever-growing community of Bateriku’s extensive ecosystem. Azarol Faizi joined the weekly pitching at MTDC in late 2020. This was in the midst of the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Bateriku found themselves racing along due to the increased demand in their services. They needed funding to fuel their growth and in 2021, Bateriku received Business Growth Fund (“BGF”) funding for the expansion in the on-demand battery and related automotive parts replacement business. Thanks to this investment, Bateriku was able to grow its market share and increase its revenue by almost 40%. Having MTDC as an equity partner helped Bateriku to excite the market and so convince potential investors of their commitment to disrupt and dominate the market, not only domestically, but also across the region. Find your purpose in life and find your passion. It’s hard to wake up every day, hustling day in day out, if you’re not passionate about what you are doing
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 37 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Through their own omni-channel contact centre, Bateriku (M) Sdn. Bhd. manages their own technology team and data analytics team, allowing them to operate more than 152 physical stores nationwide. In addition to car battery services, Bateriku provides a vast range of additional mobile services, such as first responders for insurance companies, service advisors for ‘pick & drop’ auto parts delivery, car inspection for car traders, mobile mechanics, and mobile windscreen repair. All mobile services are available nationwide all hours of every day due to their gig automotive technician network known as BHero. As well as the roadside assistance, BHero has its own training and upskilling programme known as Akademi Bateriku. On top of this, Bateriku also offers an entrepreneurship program under the name of BPreneur, and partners with tow truck operators, automotive parts providers, and services companies, via their BBuddy program. Bateriku proudly states that they have now serviced more than 1 million customers, who are able to reach Bateriku.com through multiple touch points via app booking, web booking, chatbot, their 24/7 call centre, social media channels, e-commerce platforms, wallet marketplace, and even by walk-in to one of their nationwide outlets. Multiple platforms - web, app and marketplace 24/7 and 365 days contact centre FREE delivery, check and install Instalment package up to 12x payments Multiple payment system End-to-end solutions with multiple partners MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 37 9 CO-FOUNDERS 254 TEAM MEMBERS AUTOMOTIVE AFTER MARKET BATERIKU APP: 857,247 76 300 1000 152 REGISTERED CUSTOMERS BATTERIES SOLD 1.1 MILLION BHero’s ECOSYTEMS PARTNERS 1309 BBuddy • 2022 - LAUNCH IN-HOUSE BATTERY BRAND ASTRA • 2022 - WINNER OF ANUGERAH USAHAWAN DIGITAL BY MARA • 2022 - STRATEGIC PARTNER WITH TNG & SETEL2022 • 2022- 100TH BATERIKY PITSTOP • 2021 - EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS FOR PLATIN BATTERY IN MALAYSIA • 2020 - LAUNCHED AKADEMI BATERIKU • 2019 - ENDEAVOR’S CLASS OF 2019 ENTREPRENEURS • 2019 - WINNER OF ANUGERAH USAHAWAN BERJAYA BY PUNB AT SIMPOSIUM PERUNCITAN KEBANGSAAN (SPARK) 2019 • 2017 - BEST DELIVERY AWARD FROM MITSUBISHI MOTORS • 2016 - LAUNCHED BATERIKU APP • 2015 - FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA BY SME100 • 2014 – ESTABLISHED B2C VERTICAL AS BATERIKU (M) SDN BHD • 2009 – ESTABLISHED OWN BATTERY ASSEMBLY & CHARGING PLANT • 2005 - TRUSTED PARTNER TO OEM & OES B2B CUSTOMERSFOR FOR PROTON, PERODUA, TELEKOM AND MITSUBISHI RECRUITED AND TRAINED (ACTIVE 382 BHero’s) PITSTOPS BPreneurs YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO ACHIEVEMENTS MALAYSIA’S FIRST VEHICLE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE ECOSYSTEM THAT CONNECTS CAR USERS WITH WORKSHOPS, SPARE PARTS & ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SINGAPORE MALAYSIA THAILAND INDONESIA CAMBODIA MYANMAR POTENTIAL MARKET COUNTRIES 6 MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 37
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