MOTOROLA Solutions Inc’s US$20 million (RM63.8 million) investment to fit out its new research and development (R&D) centre in Penang is poised to take Malaysia up the value chain in technology and manufacturing capabilities.
Motorola Solutions Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director (Penang operations) Dr Hari Narayanan said yesterday the company is focusing on developing next-generation solutions for its communications and mission-critical products.
“This new facility will enable us to develop next-generation communication devices and systems, including analog and digital land mobile radios, energy and audio accessories and base stations,” he said after the launching of Motorola Solutions Malaysia’s new R&D centre “Innoplex” at the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.
The event was officiated by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Also present were Motorola Solutions Inc senior vice-president (systems and products) Bruce Brda, Penang Development Corporation (PDC) general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq and Motorola Solutions Malaysia country president Mohd Rauf Nasir.
The Innoplex building was developed by state-owned PDC on a 3.35ha site to house Motorola’s R&D operations.
It also serves as Motorola’s largest R&D facility outside the United States.
The seven-storey building is being leased via a 10-year arrangement to Motorola, which is consolidating the operations of two of its previous sites in Penang.
Motorola’s investment presence in Penang dates to 1974 and its cumulative investments are in excess of RM4 billion. The company has a headcount of 4,000.
Meanwhile, Mustapa said after several years of economic turbulence, exports of electrical and electronic products rebounded last year by recording a 2.4 per cent increase from 2012, amounting to 43.2 per cent of total exports of manufactured products.
“In the same year, this sector contributed six per cent to the gross domestic product and 30.8 per cent of total employment.”