KUCHING, July 5: The Taiyo Yuden Group is expanding its operations here to meet growing global demands for its multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), which are used in smartphones and computers.
They are investing in a new two-storey factory building, and when work is completed in 2020, this Japanese firm will require another 800 personnel.
Taiyo Yuden is currently the largest employer in the Sama Jaya High Tech Park here, with 4,360 workers. Except for top management staff, all their workers are Sarawakians.
In fact, Taiyo Yuden is a major global manufacturer of components used in popular consumer electronics from Apple and Samsung. Approximately 1,000 pieces of these MLCCs are mounted in a single smartphone.
“In each smartphone, 30 per cent of the MLCC are supplied by Taiyo Yuden Group worldwide, and 15 per cent of it is manufactured here, in Kuching. This is something we in Sarawak are very proud of,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Speaking at Taiyo Yuden’s ground-breaking ceremony for the new factory building project today, Awang Tengah said Taiyo Yuden here exports its MLCC to Japan, China, Taiwan, Europe and the US.
Taiyo Yuden has thus far invested over RM3 billion on its operations here.
“The success of Taiyo Yuden and other multi-national companies’ (MNC) continuous expansions in Sarawak augurs well with the industralisation agenda of our state to leapfrog Sarawak to become a high income economy by 2030.
“Hence, the government will continue with our business friendly policies to attract more investments in high tech industries,” said Awang Tengah.
Over the years, he revealed, Sama Jaya had attracted more than RM12 billion worth of investments and created many economic spinoffs, which benefitted the local communities.
Currently, Sama Jaya has created some 10,800 employment opportunities, of which 99 per cent of them are filled by Sarawakians.
Last year, Sama Jaya recorded RM380 million in total wages for the workers, which ultimately flows back to the local communities. In the same year, the export value generated was RM3.2 billion.
Thanking Taiyo Yuden and other MNCs for their continuous commitment to recruit and give priority to hiring the local workforce, he urged local entrepreneurs, particularly the small medium enterprises (SMEs), to continually upgrade their capabilities and capacities to meet the stringent requirements of the global players in Sama Jaya.
“Our SMEs cannot continue to rely on the low-cost, low-tech and labour-intensive strategy to drive our economic growth. They must change their mindset, be innovative and creative in adopting the latest technology to remain competitive in the ever challenging environment,” he said. — DayakDaily
