National Instruments to Set Up Third Global R&D, Manufacturing and Operations Facility in Malaysia

(Business News & Technology News, 4 Nov 2008)

National Instruments (NI) has chosen Penang, Malaysia, as the location for its new global R&D, manufacturing, and operations facility. NI will be investing about RM280 million ($79.118 million) in the first and second phases to manufacture and service test, measurement and automation hardware and software products. Excellent infrastructure, a well-educated workforce, and favorable business environment were factors cited by NI for its decision to chose Malaysia for its facility—the third of its kind worldwide, the others being in Texas and Hungary.

¡°Engineers and scientists around the world have adopted National Instruments software and hardware for their applications, and our new facility in Malaysia will help us support the strong, long-term growth that has resulted,¡± says Dr. James Truchard, President, CEO and Co-founder of National Instruments. ¡°The cost-competitive business environment and skilled workforce makes Malaysia ideal for our new facility.¡±

¡°We are happy to welcome National Instruments to Malaysia and pleased that the company has chosen to invest in our country. Malaysia offers a resource-rich, competitive environment that is ideal for higher value-add companies, and we look forward to a successful collaboration with National Instruments," comments Tan Sri Dato¡¯ Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, Minister of International Trade and Industry.

The setting-up of NI¡¯s integrated operations is expected to contribute towards Malaysia moving up the value chain in the manufacturing sector and will lead to technology transfer and the acquisition of skills among Malaysians.

The announcement was made Monday, November 3, at a press conference held at the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) in Kuala Lumpur.

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