SHAH ALAM: Local automotive parts and components supplier Victorious Step Sdn Bhd (VStep) will gain access to various customised programmes from the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) to enhance the former business capabilities to meet current industry demands.
MARii chief executive officer Datuk Madani Sahari said the collaboration is a significant step in the development of local vendors in the areas of smart automation and robotics to increase process accuracy, efficiency and productivity, and bring higher value products to the global market.
“This collaboration will also serve as a benchmark for more local automotive parts and components supplier to embark on a transformation towards smart automation, opening more opportunities to participate in the value chains of more sophisticated mobility product segments in the future,” he said after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between MARii and VStep here today.
The MoA allows VStep to embark on a value-added transformation through the deployment of smart automation technology.
VStep specialises in injection moulding, involved in door-assembly for the Proton X70.
MARii programmes include Automotive Supplier Excellence Programme (ASEP), MARii Industry4WRD Technology Platform (MITP), Automotive Industry Certification Engineering (AICE), and Industry Professional – Led Certification: Pengiktirafan Percapaian Terdahulu (IPC-PPT).
The MoA signing ceremony was held in conjunction with the official launch of VStep’s factory and the awarding of Letter of Authorization from Proton Holdings Bhd.
VStep managing director Ismail Ibrahim said the collaboration with MARii allows the company to expand and become more competitive in the automotive industry, especially in the areas of parts and components manufacturing.
“MARii, being a government agency, can provide us with the tools and platform required to further enhance our labor skills.
“More importantly, the implementation of automation and robotics will be a major step-forward for us, especially in terms of reducing foreign worker dependence, which is also in line with government policy,” he said.
VStep’s new factory, located in Shah Alam, is a one-stop manufacturing plant which houses state-of-the-art equipment and tools required to manufacture plastic components for vehicles.