KUALA LUMPUR: Weststar Group subsidiary, Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd, is bidding for more defence and commercial contracts not only from the Malaysian government, but also from foreign countries.
“At the moment, our main business for the Armed Forces is supplying military trucks and vehicles to the Army. We are keen to expand our business including the air force and navy and also for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) requirements,” chief executive officer Datuk Arsad Abd Salam told NST Business in an interview recently.
Since its establishment in 2007, the company has secured over RM2 billion of government contracts including for the supply of military vehicles, air defence systems, security and specialised vehicles and commercial vehicles.
“For the defence segment, we currently employ about 300 staff at all levels including management, supporting staff, engineers, designers and technicians. We also use synergy from the group’s available resources. The Weststar Group has more than 2000 employees,” he said.
Arsad said Weststar Defence thru its subsidiary Global Komited has delivered over 1000 military and special vehicles to the armed forces since its inception in 2007.
Among the military vehicles include General Service Cargo, Rapid Ranger, Fitted For Radio Vehicle (GKM1-FFR), Jaws Armoured Personnel Carrier, Guardian Armoured Personnel Carrier, Field and Domestic Ambulances, Special Operation Vehicle (GKM1-SOV), Gun Tower, Weapon Platform and passenger vans.
He said the company’s plant in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, can produce about 200 vehicles monthly.
“We assemble and fabricate locally but the chassis we source from chassis supplier depending on the specification from users,” Arsad said.
He said the company allocates about RM2 million annually for research and development (R&D) to improve the existing products as well as developing new defence and security products and ancillary systems.
Arsad said the company’s move to diversify into other business areas would provide new opportunities.
“We have to react fast to the challenging business climate. We have to be cost-conscious and optimise the available resources and diversify our business,” he added.
Arsad said the company is confident of growing in tandem with the country’s economy, which should benefit from recovery in oil prices and more domestic and foreign investments.
“We are confident our business will grow in tandem with the growing local economy.
“Business is all about planning and putting effective strategies and to turn the threats to become opportunities,” he said.