Automation, digitalisation to boost timber industry
Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi
KUALA LUMPUR: Players in the Malaysian timber industry are being urged to adopt automation and digitalisation to tackle increasingly complex global challenges.
In assisting industry players, the Malaysian Wood Moulding and Joinery Council (MWMJC), in collaboration with the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), is organising various programmes and initiatives, aimed at fortifying industry players and bolstering their competitive stance within this dynamic sector.
Speaking to the
New Straits Times,
MWMJC chairman George Yap said the council acts as a coordinator to bring together the voices of the industry to mutually achieve beneficial outcomes to enhance the value of the country's timber industry in the long run.
"As we embrace automation, the prospects presented by the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and the Internet of Things (IoT), collaboration is key.
"We are facilitating idea exchanges among industry players and partnering with universities, machine suppliers and software providers to explore better implementation solutions to remain relevant in the competitive market."
He added that MWMJC plays a vital role in representing and promoting the interests of the moulding and joinery sector, both domestically and internationally.
He said MWMJC also provides strategic direction and support to its members to achieve their business goals while promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability in the operations of its members.
"We are committed to the sustainability of Malaysia's forest resources, and fully support product and process innovations that can help maximise the use of raw materials and minimise the impact on the environment.
"By promoting and maintaining stringent standards and compliance to forestry regulations and timber trade policies, MWMJC provides the means for its members to succeed in a competitive global economy without compromising the forest environment and its sustainability."
Yap added that MWMJC is not only focused on assisting industry players but also providing necessary feedback on government policies and promoting sustainability within the sector.
"MWMJC is committed to providing feedback on government policies while focusing on sustainable efforts within its segment and ensuring sustainable raw material production.
"The committee is also committed to supporting the timber industry and contributing to the development of a sustainable timber economy in the country."
Yap also acknowledged the multifaceted challenges confronting the industry, including raw materials scarcity, demands for timber certification and the imperative of adhering to environmental, social and governance principles.
"To achieve a sustainable timber green economy, collaboration is essential. We need collective efforts from the government, policymakers, suppliers, tree plantation companies, universities and non-governmental organisations."
Exports of timber and timber products fell by 13.2 per cent to RM21.9 billion last year, compared with RM25.21 billion in 2022.
The major timber-based products exported from Malaysia were wooden furniture, plywood, sawn timber, Builders' Joinery & Carpentry (BJC), mouldings and fibreboard.
Among the top export destinations are the United States, Japan and India.
MWMJC, which celebrated its 43rd anniversary this year, currently has more than 800 members who are manufacturers, traders, specifiers and installers, as well as those from supporting industries such as machinery, tools, treatment, chemicals and hardware.
The council primarily emphasises downstream operations and goods catering to both international and domestic markets.
The finished products include mouldings, doors, windows, flooring, decking, skirting, picture frames, furniture, wood structures for building and marine applications.
Yap believed that with a clear vision, collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Malaysia's timber industry is poised to navigate the complexities of the global market with confidence and resilience, ensuring a prosperous future for generations to come.