MKS opens RM400 million semiconductor factory in Penang
MKS Inc. opened its RM400 million Supercenter Factory in Penang on Monday, the first phase of a project that will eventually cover 350,000 square feet and employ more than 1,000 people.
Source: The Manila Times · July 29, 2026 at 6:54 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 JULY 2026 —
MKS Inc. opened its RM400 million Supercenter Factory in Penang on Monday, the first phase of a project that will eventually cover 350,000 square feet and employ more than 1,000 people.
Market Impact
The 17-acre facility will supply wafer fabrication equipment to semiconductor makers worldwide, the company said. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim officiated at the ceremony alongside Penang Chief Minister Tuan Chow Kon Yeow and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires David Gamble.
The factory aligns with Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy, both of which aim to move the country up the semiconductor value chain. Penang’s state investment agency said the project demonstrates the state’s mature ecosystem of suppliers, skilled workers and infrastructure.
“This investment reflects the growing shift towards higher-value manufacturing in Malaysia,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. He noted that Malaysia’s machinery and equipment sector recorded RM3.5 billion in approved investments in the first quarter, reaffirming its position as a cornerstone of the country’s manufacturing base.
John T.C. Lee, President and CEO of MKS, said the plant will be closer to customers and partners, improving delivery of advanced semiconductor solutions across the global value chain. The company listed its shares on NASDAQ under the ticker MKSI.
Penang’s investment agency InvestPenang said the facility will help move the state further up the semiconductor chain by leveraging its skilled talent pool and existing industrial base. “We are proud to support MKS in this journey,” said InvestPenang CEO Dato’ Loo Lee Lian.
The ceremony capped a multi-phase development that began with site preparation and construction of the first production modules. MIDA, InvestPenang and the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur were among the agencies represented at the event.
MIDA is Malaysia’s principal investment promotion agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. InvestPenang runs initiatives such as the SMART Penang Center for SMEs and the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ cluster for IC design companies.
Related: Kuala Lumpur