Press Metal banks on size and low-cost model

WITHIN a space of seven years, Press Metal Bhd has grown to become the largest aluminium smelter in the region and probably one with the lowest operating cost. Economies of scale, coupled with a low-cost operating model, has helped the company to stay in the black even when commodity prices come under pressure.

It had to deal with some major operational issues along the way. One of it was the when its smelter in Mukah – the first to be built in Malaysia – came to a complete shutdown due to a state-wide blackout last year.