KUALA LUMPUR: AIDA Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd (AIDA Engineering Malaysia) is doubling down on its investment into the leading technologies of today to bolster business resilience.

       A gold award winner in the machinery, equipment and automation category for mid-tier companies in the Export Excellence Awards 2019, AIDA Engineering Malaysia is focusing on opportunities brought to light by the Covid-19 pandemic to rethink its operations.

       The goal is to recover capacity loss resulting from the past two months of the full movement control order lockdown, speed up delivery, shorten production lead times and restore customer confidence globally.

       “The coming weeks and months will remain extremely challenging for us, (but) at the same time it also creates an opportunity for us to rethink the way work is done.

       “We’re looking for ways to operate through the current crisis – bracing for a potentially much longer period of uncertain demand and supply, to maintain production while protecting our workers.

       Opportunity in crisis: The pandemic creates a chance to rethink the way work is done, says Yap.

       “By accelerating the adoption of new digital technologies and by exploring the flexibility of the operation staff, there’s a big opportunity to emerge from the pandemic with manufacturing operations that are safer, more productive and more resilient,” said its chief executive officer Yap Teck Meng.

       The key aspects for AIDA Engineering Malaysia is to protect its workforce by maintaining a safe workplace, conduct risk assessments and management to ensure business continuity in the face of crisis to minimise disruptions, minimise exposure to potential liabilities such as delayed shipments and drive productivity at a distance.

       He added that workplace strategies are constantly being reassessed, alongside the exploration of new work models that may transform through the adoption of the latest technologies, which will help accelerate the Fourth Industrial Revolution-linked digital transformation in the workplace.

       Among the new digital approaches it is eyeing include remote pre-delivery inspection; virtual reality technologies to communicate with overseas customers or conduct plant tours, or assist overseas contractors in guiding shop-floor teams through machine maintenance; augmented reality systems to enable its operations team to receive remote advice and support from colleagues, as well as equipment like smart glasses and handheld cameras to give remote staff a virtual shop-floor presence to assist with troubleshooting tasks.

       These are particularly vital as AIDA Engineering Malaysia is an important part of the AIDA five-pole production system, along with manufacturing plants in Japan, China, the United States and Italy.

       With the continued expansion of borderless manufacturing, its customers – involved in manufacturing operations across the automotive, electrical, home and medical appliances industries – are extending their operations to locations all over the world, meaning that it is vital for it to be able to supply products across national and regional boundaries in a timely manner.

       He shared, “We’re positive about the second half of 2021 as the global economy recovers. On a brighter note, the automotive industry is undergoing a revolutionary transition to electric vehicles, self-driving vehicles, and lighter vehicles, which is presenting the AIDA Group with new business opportunities.

       “Electric vehicles (EV), including plug-in hybrids, are set to increase 6%-8% of the global share in 2021, particularly in China and the US.

       One of AIDA Engineering Malaysia's export products is the press line with synchronised motion control.

       “AIDA’s high-speed, high-precision presses, which use multiple suspensions to control slide deflection and tilting, are a critical contributor to the electric vehicle motor cores production. We’re expecting a higher business growth in the EV market.”Winning the Export Excellence Awards, Yap said, ‘certainly boosted’ AIDA Engineering Malaysia’s reputation, as it is getting even better global brand recognition as the world’s top system forming builder. This is in addition to improving morale and motivating its team members by recognising their hard work, he added.

       EEA 2021 is organised by Star Media Group in partnership with Standard Chartered, with Matrade as patron. It is audited by BDO.

       Those keen to apply for EEA 2021 can visit exportawards.com.my, contact Victor at victorcheong@thestar.com.my or Jency at jencyjohn@thestar.com.my.