LEM opens $17m plant in Malaysia

The plant in Penang currently employs 70 people and LEM expects to increase this to more than 200 people by March 2025 and eventually more than 500, with sales from the factory expected to reach over €200m for its current and voltage sensors.

There are plans in place for an extension on the additional 5,000 sqm of land, the new 11,800 sqm factory features a state-of-the-art logistic system including automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) on the shopfloor which transport components from the warehouse to the high-tech production lines. LEM Malaysia is also the pilot for the roll-out of our new ERP system and will produce a substantial part of its energy through solar panels.

“We are always looking to find solutions that will secure our operations while diversifying our global footprint,” said Frank Rehfeld, CEO of LEM. “The Penang factory is the latest venture in this quest. It is essential in uncertain times that LEM looks to increase its resilience and serve our customers better. We will achieve this by investing in advanced production facilities and personnel capable of manufacturing the best products designed to meet the demands of this growing sector.”

Andreas Hürlimann, LEM chairman of the Board of Directors, adds: “I’m very optimistic that having a state-of-the-art facility in this region with the ability to test our own semiconductors will be a major boost for our integrated current sensing business.”

“It was vital when we commissioned this new factory that it complied with the Green Building Index (GBI), Malaysia’s industry-recognized green rating tool for buildings. With 300kW of solar energy systems already installed and another 400kW scheduled for 2026, the building also uses rainwater harvesting and building automation to optimize energy consumption. This new factory is proof of LEM’s commitment to its CO2 roadmap which is part of a long-term vision to help customers and society in general transition towards a more sustainable future.”