ABB Group's Machine Automation Division Eyes Penang As Southeast Asia Operations Hub
By Siti Azila Alias
GEORGE TOWN, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Swiss-based ABB Group’s Machine Automation division (B&R) is looking to strengthen its presence in Penang and expand the state’s role within its Southeast Asian operations.
ABB highlighted the region’s strong manufacturing ecosystem, growing talent base, and leadership in high-value industries including life sciences, medical devices, and semiconductors as key reasons for expanding in Penang.
Regional managing director, Southern and Eastern Asia, ABB Machine Automation (B&R Industrial Automation), Pratip Samanta, said Penang offered a unique combination of machine development expertise, manufacturing capabilities, customers and technology partners that make it an attractive location for advanced automation initiatives.
“Penang has a very strong manufacturing ecosystem that brings together machine builders, technology providers, manufacturers and academic institutions.
“That creates the right environment to develop innovative solutions and support industrial growth across the region,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview during the ABB Innovation Forum 2026 here today.
B&R Industrial Automation is ABB’s Machine Automation division.
According to Pratip, industries such as life sciences and medical devices are undergoing rapid transformation, driven by increasing regulatory requirements, greater product complexity and growing demand for flexibility and efficiency.
“As manufacturers respond to changing market demands, they need production systems that can adapt more quickly, deliver consistent quality and enable faster time-to-market. Intelligent automation plays an important role in helping them achieve these goals,” he said.
Pratip noted that machine automation is evolving beyond traditional control systems toward more intelligent, software-driven production environments, where engineering, operations, and decision-making are increasingly supported by digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
Rather than focusing on automation alone, he said manufacturers are seeking solutions that enable greater agility and resilience throughout the production process.
One of the key challenges facing many manufacturers today, Pratip added, is the continued presence of disconnected systems and industrial data silos that limit productivity and slow innovation.
He said companies are addressing this by increasingly adopting software-defined and open automation approaches that allow different technologies, machines and production systems to work together more effectively.
Meanwhile, Pratip said B&R sees significant long-term potential in Penang and is exploring opportunities to further strengthen its local presence as part of its regional growth strategy.
“Penang already plays an important role within Malaysia’s manufacturing landscape, and we see opportunities to expand its contribution to our activities in Southeast Asia.
“We want to continue investing in local capabilities and build an even stronger ecosystem around automation and digitalisation,” he added.
However, he said the plans remain under discussion, with further details expected to be finalised over the coming months.
On government support, Pratip acknowledged Malaysia’s progress in attracting investment and strengthening industrial infrastructure, while noting that continued collaboration between industry, academia and policymakers would be important to sustain long-term growth.
Looking ahead, he expects Penang’s outlook over the next five years to remain strong, supported by ongoing investment from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and global manufacturers across sectors including life sciences, semiconductors, printing and advanced manufacturing.
-- BERNAMA