Sabah to work with world's third-largest construction machinery maker to build factory in state

Phoong (second left) visiting Sany’s No.18 lighthouse factory, which was dubbed as a world-class advanced factory, with Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) delegates.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will work with Sany Group, the world's third-largest construction machinery manufacturer, to set up a factory in the state, says Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.

The state Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister said the end fruit of the collaboration would see the group introduce advanced industrialised building system (IBS) technology to Sabah.

"The Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) will establish an IBS factory, providing high-quality industrial building products for local industry players in the future,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 11).

The Minister, however, did not disclose a time frame for the initiative.

Phoong said the collaboration was agreed following his visit to Changsha, China on Tuesday (Oct 10), when he visited four factories and an engineering institute under the Sany Group.

During the visit, he said he had productive discussions with the Group’s rotating chairman Tang Xiuguo, focusing on collaboration to introduce the advanced IBS technology to Sabah.

They also exchanged ideas on topics such as renewable energy, sustainable development, and Industry 4.0.

"Utilising advanced IBS technology and equipment will significantly enhance efficiency in construction, saving time, reducing costs, decreasing reliance on labour, and more importantly, enabling the public to afford more affordable housing.

"The collaboration aims to raise the quality of construction significantly," he said.

During the meeting, Tang also shared with Phoong that Sany Group has been collaborating with several companies in Peninsular Malaysia.

The group had also held discussions with Federal Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming earlier this year, and that it plans to continue collaborating with PR1MA Corporation to build more affordable homes across Malaysia.

Tang expressed optimism about the success of the project in Sabah, acknowledging the potential and opportunities in the state.