SHB's first overseas manufacturing facility opens in JS-SEZ, invests RM600m

• Strategically located within the 107.4-acre Senai Airport City, the facility benefits from a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, robust governance, and professional management, enabling efficient construction and operations.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): Global automotive motor manufacturer SHB has officially opened its first overseas manufacturing facility in the Senai Airport City (SAC) Free Zone, Johor Bahru, Johor.

In a statement on Tuesday, the China-based company said the RM600 million facility marks a significant milestone in SHB’s global expansion strategy. 

Once fully operational, the group is of the view that the plant is expected to produce 3 million wiper motor systems and 20 million seat motors annually, contributing an estimated RM1.5 billion in yearly sales.

SHB aims to double its sales to RM6 billion by 2030, with the Senai Airport City facility serving as a cornerstone of this growth. The company also noted that the new plant will create about 200 skilled engineering positions and engage around 100 local suppliers, underscoring its commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s manufacturing ecosystem and supporting Johor’s economic development.

Strategically located within the 107.4-acre manufacturing and distribution hub, the facility benefits from a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, robust governance, and professional management, enabling efficient construction and operations. It features advanced testing capabilities and highly automated assembly lines, catering to major global OEM and Tier-1 clients, including Tesla, GM, BMW, VW, Adient, and Forvia.

Senai Airport City, situated within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), serves as a key hub for advanced manufacturing and high-value investments. With its integrated infrastructure and multimodal connectivity, the development continues to attract multinational corporations, foster technology transfer, and generate skilled employment—reinforcing Johor’s position as a competitive gateway for global trade and industry. 

“This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate to deepen technological diffusion within our ecosystem. We used to see ourselves as a trading nation, but today we want to see ourselves as a technology nation,” said deputy minister of Investment, Trade & Industry Liew Chin Tong. “More importantly, we have an automated equipment technology sector, and we want to see technological diffusion and horizontal linkage within our ecosystem,” the minister added.

“Malaysia plays a strategic role in SHB’s global growth roadmap. By leveraging Malaysia’s strong industrial ecosystem and talent, we are confident in delivering world-class quality and driving long-term growth in the region,” said SHB CEO Carolyn Wang.

Senai Airport City CEO Gan Seng Keong added: “SHB’s decision to establish its first overseas facility in Senai Airport City is a strong endorsement of what Senai Airport City represents—an advanced manufacturing ecosystem and a future-ready industrial base within a strategically connected global trade hub. With Senai Airport City’s ready basic infrastructure, strong governance and strategic connectivity, we enable foreign direct investors to scale up quickly, compete internationally, and grow sustainably”.

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