Malaysian companies continue to boost their productivity to produce medical supplies, following the rapid surge of demand from domestic and global communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the medical supplies with growing demand include air ventilators, nasal swabs, and gloves.
For instance, three Malaysian listed firms, Sanichi Technology Bhd, AT Systematization Bhd, and PNE PCB Bhd have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a joint venture with US-based Arzon Solar LLC (ARZ) to produce medical-grade mechanical air ventilators. The three firms will be responsible for the production of the ventilators and obtaining the necessary licenses and certificates, while ARZ is in charge of the distribution and marketing of ventilators for the domestic and international markets.
K-One Technology Bhd, a technology solutions provider of Internet-of-Things products and healthcare devices plans to produce nasal swabs for the local and overseas markets that have high demand such as the US, Europe, and other South East Asia countries. As of now, it had placed an order with a US-based 3D printing technology manufacturer and is getting the requisite approval from the authorities. K-One Tech has also been awarded a license to manufacture and distribute low-cost breathing ventilators developed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA JPL).
Local glove manufacturer WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd is increasing its capacity from about a quarter now to full production by December 2020. WRP Asia produces only 5% of Malaysia’s overall capacity, producing around 11 billion gloves annually. However, due to the surge in demand, the company is fully utilizing all its three plants, consisting of 69 production lines in total. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, WRP Asia has contributed over 600,000 of its DERMAGRIP Nitrile Ultra L S examination gloves and designated medical centers assigned for COVID-19 screening and treatment. Meanwhile, the net profit of Top Glove, the world’s largest manufacturer of natural rubber gloves and surgical gloves, surged 366% year-on-year to MYR 347.9 million (USD 81 million) for the quarter ended May 31, 2020.
(Sources: The Edge Markets, New Straits Times)
