KUALA LUMPUR: The Top 30 finalists of AmBank BizRACE are currently immersed in a comprehensive development programmes, guided by industry experts from Bosch Rexroth, Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and Pantas, among others.
The fourth season of BizRACE had attracted 4,800 entries ranging from businesses with an annual turnover of RM3 million to those exceeding RM300 million.
They encompass a diverse array of industries from food and beverage to construction materials, household products and fabric manufacturing, according to AmBank Group business banking managing director Christopher Yap.
Yap said the comprehensive development programmes for the Top 30 include on-site factory visits to meticulously assess each company's unique pain points and smart automation capabilities, followed by one-on-one coaching sessions tailored to accelerate their journey towards IR4.0 and ESG adoption.
Bosch Rexroth provides insights into the fundamentals of how IR4.0 can revolutionise and expand a business while simultaneously achieving environmentla. social and governance targets and contributing to decarbonisation efforts.
Participants also sit through YGL Consulting's strategies for increasing productivity through the integration of ERP and IR4.0 technologies, whereas MGTC focuses on the implementation of green practices tailored for manufacturers.
"Now, as part of the Top 30, these companies are engaged in a more personalised development as we are conducting on-ground factory site visits to identify and address specific pain points for each participant.
"This hands-on approach includes comprehensive coaching and strategy development sessions with experts to effectively implement action plans for IR4.0 and ESG adoption for the shortlisted businesses," Yap said.
Meanwhile, participants who advance to the Top 10 can anticipate an intensified phase of physical sessions focused on further coaching, strategy refinement, and the execution of their business action plans with quantifiable assessments.
Industry experts from Bosch Rexroth will offer face-to-face coaching on supply chain management. This includes in-depth follow-up discussions post-factory site visits to refine IR4.0 projects and develop effective business process mappings for each company.
Additionally, MGTC will guide participants on green practices specifically for the manufacturing sector, along with evaluations and assessments leading to the development of short-term action plans.
In collaboration with Pantas, Yap said participants will work on implementing significant changes to green their operations, mitigate and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and integrate ESG guidelines effectively.
BizRACE support for enterprises
For Sydney Cake House Sdn Bhd, the programme helped the company step up its green game.
Managing director Jenny Chuang said the company utilised a tool called Pantas through which they discovered that fugitive emissions were a major contributor to its carbon dioxide emission spikes.
"This crucial insight allowed us to identify and address the issue of refrigerant leaks effectively. Addressing this not only reduced our carbon footprint but also reinforced our dedication to sustainable practices," she said.
She added that the company's collaboration with Bosch Rexroth through AmBank BizRACE revolutionised its inventory management systems.
"The high impact training course provided insights into global manufacturing practices and led to the implementation of a digital inventory system integrated with QR code technology, enhancing both efficiency and accuracy in our supply chain management," Chuang said.
Meanwhile, Diverse Integrated Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Chong Yu Khang said the programme deepened the company's commitment to being more eco-friendly and socially responsible.
"Through expert consultations, we integrated sustainable practices deeply into our corporate strategy, reinforcing our commitment to ethical governance and environmental stewardship."
Chong added the programme's expert-led workshops and strategic partnerships have been instrumental in streamlining its production processes.
"They introduced innovative solutions for energy efficiency and automation, significantly reducing our reliance on manual labour and enhancing operational throughput," Chong said.