The Senai Airport City plant will produce 23 million motor systems annually and create 200 skilled jobs.
China-based automotive motor manufacturer SHB has officially opened its first overseas manufacturing facility in Johor’s Senai Airport City (SAC) Free Zone, marking a major milestone in its global expansion with a RM600 million investment.
A Strategic Milestone for SHB
The Johor facility represents SHB’s first overseas manufacturing venture and a cornerstone of its globalisation roadmap. With an investment of RM600 million, the plant will strengthen the company’s footprint in Southeast Asia and support its goal of doubling sales to RM6 billion by 2030.
CEO Carolyn Wang said Malaysia plays a crucial role in SHB’s global growth strategy. “This facility is not only our first overseas manufacturing facility, but also a key cornerstone of our ambition to become a truly global supplier to the world’s leading automakers,” she said.
Impressive Production Capacity and Global Clients
Once fully operational, the plant is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 3 million wiper motor systems and 20 million seat motors, generating around RM1.5 billion in annual sales.
Equipped with advanced testing facilities and highly automated assembly lines, the Johor facility will supply components to major global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-1 clients such as Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, General Motors, Forvia, and Adient.
Boosting Local Industry and Jobs
The new plant will create about 200 skilled engineering jobs and source from around 100 local suppliers, reinforcing SHB’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong highlighted the collaboration’s technological significance. “We used to see ourselves as a trading nation, but today we want to see ourselves as a technology nation,” he said, emphasizing Malaysia’s shift toward innovation-led manufacturing.
Senai Airport City: The New Industrial Powerhouse
Senai Airport City CEO Gan Seng Keong said SHB’s choice of Johor signals strong confidence in Malaysia’s readiness for advanced manufacturing. “With Senai Airport City’s ready infrastructure, strong governance, and strategic connectivity, we enable foreign direct investors to scale up quickly, compete internationally, and grow sustainably,” he said.
Located within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), Senai Airport City offers seamless air–sea–land connectivity and serves as a dynamic hub for high-value industries.
Driving Johor’s Economic Growth
The investment is expected to contribute significantly to Johor’s economy through job creation, local supplier engagement, and technology transfer. SHB’s presence also reinforces Johor’s emergence as a competitive gateway for global trade, innovation, and sustainable industrial development in the region.
SHB’s RM600 million investment marks not only a milestone for the company but also a major win for Johor’s growing role in advanced manufacturing. With its strong industrial base and strategic location, Johor continues to attract global investors seeking to scale in Southeast Asia’s next industrial frontier.
Sources: The Sun (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: SHB Manufacturing Facility, Johor Automotive Hub, RM600 Million Investment, Senai Airport City, Global Expansion
