By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock
GEORGE TOWN, July 15 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Despite the COVID-19 crisis, NI, previously known as National Instruments, the provider of a software-defined platform that helps accelerate the development and performance of automated test and automated measurement systems, will continue with its expansion project in Penang.
On June 9, NI announced that revenue for Q2 2020 was expected to decline by nine per cent year-on-year, at the midpoint of projections.
However, Vice President Manufacturing, Asia Pacific and Managing Director, NI Malaysia P. Rajesh emphasised that the company is likely to bounce back quickly from the crisis.
“The COVID-19 situation is unpredictable and will continue to evolve. While the business landscape is still plagued with a backdrop of uncertainty, we are well prepared to adjust our approach to manage the challenges.
“With the measures that we’ve been putting in place, we are confident that we will emerge out of this crisis stronger,” Rajesh told Bernama during an interview at NI’s Penang facility recently.
He said NI was able to meet its commitment to customers globally during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
“We have been reinventing the way we do business, from changing our operating model to reorganising roles, with the aim to become more customer-centric and set the stage for growth,” he said.
Last month, the company unveiled its new logo, visual identity, enhanced digital experiences and a new brand campaign, Engineer Ambitiously, to recommit itself to connecting people, ideas and technologies required to push the world forward.
Meanwhile, for this year, NI will expand its manufacturing plant spanning 2.4 hectares next to its current facility.
According to Rajesh, work on the new plant is expected to begin by the end of 2020 and will take 18 months to complete.
He said the new project will cost about RM30 million (US$7million), with funds coming from last year’s investment announcement.
He added that the expansion will create some 250 jobs in research and development, manufacturing, and shared services.
“Despite the current economic downturn, NI has continued to execute its expansion and recruitment plans in Malaysia,” he said.
NI is headquartered in Austin, Texas and has approximately 1,000 employees in Penang. Over 70 per cent of them are in managerial, technical and supervisory positions.
In 2019, the company reported a revenue close of US$1.35 billion.
— NNN-BERNAMA