Melexis opens largest wafer testing site in Kuching

KUCHING (July 10): Melexis today opened its largest wafer testing site worldwide at Sama Jaya High-Tech Park here, signaling the global microelectronics engineering company’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for semiconductors and to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The expansion of Melexis in the country marked a significant milestone in the company’s 35-year journey to fulfil the growing global demand for semiconductors, which is expected to double in the next decade.

Melexis will continue to innovate in edge sensors and edge drivers aimed at current and future applications in the mobility, sustainability, robotics, and health areas. The expansion will serve all of these applications.

The facility, housed in a four-storey building covering a ground surface of 4,500 square meters, hosts 90 semiconductor wafer test equipment used to test Integrated Circuits (ICs).

Melexis chairwoman Francoise Chombar said placing the facility in Kuching between Eastern and Western markets and next to X-FAB’s wafer foundry, which is one of Melexis’ key suppliers, served as a strategic move to streamline logistics and help reduce the company’s ecological footprint.

“Melexis is headquartered in Belgium, in the heart of Europe, but with 58 per cent of Melexis revenue, Asia is our most important market.

“Melexis has also been present in Sarawak for over a decade and Kuching has become our gate to Asia,” she said at the grand opening of the facility which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

She said the new building was the tangible result of the close relationships Melexis has built in Kuching over more than a decade with local authorities and local partners.

“Designed by award-winning Belgian architect Sebastian Mortelmans together with equally award-winning Sarawakian architects Design Network Architects (DNA), the building is designed as a longhouse, with future expansions in mind, ensuring adaptability and scalability.

“It also incorporates advanced energy-saving systems, a solar installation that can generate 30,000 kWh per month, and minimises the environmental footprint, which demonstrates Melexis’ longstanding commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG), even before it became fashionable or a compliance matter,” she said.

She said the expansion will allow Melexis to serve the steadily increasing global demand for semiconductor solutions and signals the company’s continued commitment towards its Asian customers.

She also said that as a responsible corporate citizen, Melexis aimed to have a positive impact on the local community, creating numerous skilled job opportunities beyond the 50 of today and fostering talent development in close collaboration with local partners and universities.

Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Deputy International Trade, Industry and Investment Minister Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, and Belgium ambassador to Malaysia Peter Van Acker.