Menicon Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based Menicon Co., Ltd., and a global provider of comprehensive ophthalmic solutions spanning lens materials, design and lens care products, have on Thursday officially launched its MYR 1 billion ($250 million) new manufacturing plant at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park.
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said in a statement that the new facility represents Menicon’s most advanced and future-ready manufacturing site globally.
Designed around a fully integrated smart factory concept, the plant combines automated production, logistics, warehousing and quality control within a digitally connected ecosystem, enabling stable, high-volume production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
The facility supports large-scale, high-efficiency production of daily disposable contact lenses and related components, leveraging Menicon’s proprietary manufacturing technologies.
The Malaysia facility’s output is export-oriented, supplying key international markets including Japan, Germany and the United States, and contributing directly to Malaysia’s export earnings while strengthening its position within the global ophthalmic value chain.
“With the start of operations at the Malaysia Plant, we will significantly strengthen our supply capabilities to meet the rapidly growing global demand for 1-day lenses,
“I am confident that this will not only accelerate Menicon’s further growth in global markets but also help us fulfil our mission of protecting eye health for people around the world,” said Koji Kawaura, President and Chief Executive Officer of Menicon Co., Ltd.
His remarks also underscored the vital role the new plant will play in Menicon’s future global expansion.
Meanwhile, Sikh Shamsul Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, said Menicon’s expansion reflects strong investor confidence in Malaysia’s industrial capabilities and talent base.
“Menicon’s smart factory investment underscores Malaysia’s growing strength in advanced, high value-added manufacturing,
“Beyond export growth, this project drives meaningful technology transfer, accelerates the development of high-skilled local talent, including engineers, technicians and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) graduates, and supports Malaysia’s shift towards innovation-driven manufacturing under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030. These are precisely the investments that generate long-term economic impact and resilience for Malaysian,” he added.
Menicon Malaysia currently employs 150 personnel, with approximately 93 per cent Malaysians, and places strong emphasis on structured talent development through internship, technical training and hands-on exposure to smart manufacturing and advanced automation system.
These initiatives support Malaysia’s broader human capital and TVET enhancement agenda, particularly in high-precision medical device manufacturing.
In addition to driving export, the localization of contact lens and component manufacturing supports Malaysia’s import substitution agenda, reducing reliance overseas supply while enhancing supply chain resilience for critical medical consumables, said the statement.