-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueSupply Chain Strategies
A successful brand is built on strong customer relationships—anchored by a well-orchestrated supply chain at its core. This month, we look at how managing your supply chain directly influences customer perception.
What's Your Sweet Spot?
Are you in a niche that’s growing or shrinking? Is it time to reassess and refocus? We spotlight companies thriving by redefining or reinforcing their niche. What are their insights?
Moving Forward With Confidence
In this issue, we focus on sales and quoting, workforce training, new IPC leadership in the U.S. and Canada, the effects of tariffs, CFX standards, and much more—all designed to provide perspective as you move through the cloud bank of today's shifting economic market.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Jabil Penang Expands Automation and Digitalization Capabilities Through a First-Of-Its-Kind Workshop
August 3, 2022 | JabilEstimated reading time: 2 minutes

Jabil, a global manufacturing solutions provider, recently hosted an “Automation and Digitalisation Workshop” in Penang designed to strengthen its automation capabilities for greater operational and resource efficiencies.
The event, held at its Batu Kawan facility, showcased the benefits of automation and machine self-optimisation in augmenting human labour, thus driving manufacturing productivity. It was organised in partnership with leading equipment providers and supported by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
This first-of-its-kind, two-day scenario-based workshop saw Jabil Penang project leaders submit automation and digitalisation proposals which were then put through simulations and demonstrations by equipment partners and subject matter experts. Raising awareness and building a greater appreciation of the advancements in Industry 4.0 (IR4), the application-based approach enabled interactive knowledge exchange sessions that produced action plans for potential future developments.
Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA applauded Jabil Penang’s efforts and contribution to accelerating automation and digitalisation initiatives through its partnership with local vendors in Malaysia.
“Following Jabil’s lead, I hope to see more collaborations, within and across industries, to fully harness the potential of technology in optimising their operations. The digital economy is expected to contribute 22.6 per cent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and create over 500,000 jobs by 2025. Through innovations and contributions in the areas of IR4.0 technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics, the manufacturing sector plays an empowering role in building a digitally driven, high-income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy,” said Datuk Arham.
Future-ready workforce is critical to building connected factories of the future
“Jabil Penang’s digital transformation journey began in May 2019. While automation and digitalisation enable Jabil to unlock new potential in the areas of operational excellence, people or human labour continues to be a critical element in our ability to deliver the most progressive factories. With proper upskilling, development, and training programs, our trained and certified automation engineers and technicians will continue to give us the edge in technical competencies, so we may deliver differentiated customer, supplier, and employee experiences,” said Tan Siew Jin, Managing Director, Jabil Penang.
Automation and digitalisation to offer multiplier-effect in operational excellence
The pandemic has created a community of engineering and operations leaders who are now armed with a greater understanding of modern enterprise solutions, collaboration tools, and cloud-based capabilities.
“We have seen the strengthened ability to enhance production systems and the manufacturing value chain since furthering our adoption of automation and digitalization. With a predictable operating environment where skilled talents work safely alongside machines that can learn, think, and act, I am heartened that our initiatives across manufacturing, industrial and test engineering are in line with MIDA’s push towards high-end manufacturing and services. Additionally, Jabil looks to continue playing a visible role in collaborating via public-private and academia partnerships, creating employment opportunities for Malaysians, and actively leveraging technology transfer opportunities across our global operations,” concludes Tan.
Attended by over 500 employees, the workshop focused on common process automation and digitalisation in the areas of soldering, screw fastening, transitional manual assembly, dispensing, and pick-and-place, following the recent implementation of an AutoStore solution last year.
The workshop is part of a series of curated, specialised programmes that empower the existing workforce to upskill and reskill to meet evolving market demands and establish digitally-led creative approaches to address common operational issues on the shop floor. Other initiatives include the “D2L Test Engineering” programme which trains and upskill production operators to move into technician roles.
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
VVDN Expands Manufacturing Footprint into the UAE to Meet Global Demand
08/20/2025 | PRNewswireVVDN Technologies, a global provider of software, product engineering and electronics manufacturing services & solutions, today announced it is setting up a new manufacturing facility in the UAE as part of its global expansion strategy.
Haylo Labs Acquires Plessey Semiconductors
08/20/2025 | Haylo LabsHaylo Labs has acquired Plessey Semiconductors, the UK’s leading innovator in microLED display technology.
Kimball Electronics Veterans ERG Members Proudly Participate in the 5th Annual Honor and Remember Run
08/20/2025 | Kimball ElectronicsVeterans and Military Service Advocacy (VMSA) Employee Resource Group (ERG) members Michael Mosher (Database Administration Engineer), Michael Stone (Test Technician Team Lead), and Joshua Belcher (Application Development Manager) took part in the 5th Annual Honor & Remember Run, a meaningful event dedicated to honoring fallen service members. The race featured a powerful memorial wall constructed from dog tags.
Meet Incap UK at the Electronic Component Show 2025
08/20/2025 | IncapIncap UK is pleased to be exhibiting at the Electronic Component Show 2025. This one-day event will take place on 18 September at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, bringing together design engineers, purchasing professionals, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers to discover new products, solutions, and contacts. You will find us at stand 52.
Hon Hai Rotating CEO Yang Qiujin Wins 2025 Golden Yang Award for Women’s Power in Technology
08/20/2025 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Amid the global rise of "female-powered technology," Yang Qiujin, Rotating CEO of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 2317), the world's largest platform solutions provider, has been awarded the "2025 Golden Yang Award - Female-Powered Technology" by the China Software Association/China Software Industry Association.