MAI and Proton Sign MoU To Raise Competitiveness Of Local Parts Suppliers

The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) and Proton has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to optimise shared resources to raise the competitiveness of its local parts suppliers so that they will meet global standards. The signing ceremony was held at the Proton Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Shah Alam, with the signatories being MAI CEO, Dato’ Madani Sahari and Proton CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong, and witnessed by Deputy CEO of Proton, YBhg Dato’ Radzaif Mohamed and Deputy Secretary General (Industry) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), YBhg. Datin K. Talagavathi.

The signing of the MoU between MAI, a government agency, and Proton, is the first step to enabling both parties in maximising existing automotive development infrastructure, especially in advanced design applications, digital process simulation, and improved validation technology, to increase the competency and competitive level of the parts and component makers. Besides to access to Proton’s existing R&D centre, as well as the MAI-initiated design and validation technology centres, Proton’s various local supply chain vendors, will also be able to optimise their human capital, business and technology development through MAI’s supplier excellence programmes.

MAI programmes include:

• ASEP : Automotive Supplier Excellence Programme – aimed at promoting a competitive and sustainable domestic automotive industry via detailed supervision, coaching, assessment, etc.
• DEP : Design Engineering and Prototyping – accelerate the enhancement of design and engineering capabilities through digital engineering application.
• LPS : Lean Production System – focuses on enhancement of productivity within manufacturing operations.
• AICE : Automotive Industry Certification Engineering – a programme for engineering graduates with syllabus tailored for the automotive industry.
• IPC : Industry-Led Professional Certificate – a programme to produce skilled operators and technicians through industry-specific modules and on-the-job training.
• DEEP : Dealers Entrepreneurship Enhancement Programme – for automotive dealers to enhance their competency and capabilities.
• Apprenticeship : Industry-led apprenticeship for engineering undergraduates.
• WTP : Workshop Transformation Programme – enhance competency of workshop owners.

MAI and Proton will further collaborate to customise these programmes for the business and technological needs of Proton and its supply chain.

“Upstream automotive activities – the design thinking, engineering applications and validation technology are key towards any meaningful participation within the automotive industry, especially as we are moving fast towards the fourth industrial revolution”, said Dato’ Madani Sahari.

“The MoU today has a significance beyond capacity building, it is the new way forward towards a change of culture and mind-set for the entire automotive value chain. Businesses must re-invent strategies to keep themselves competitive and relevant”, he added.

According to Dr Li, the MoU signing is significant for the national car company, as the success of its suppliers is crucial for the future growth of Proton.

MAI had initiated the development of the 9 Thrusts for the implementation of Industry 4.0 within the automotive sector in 2016. The 9 Thrusts are enablers to aspects such as Digital Engineering & Prototyping, Digital Factories, System Integrators and Manufacturing Execution systems. These digital services developed for the automotive supply chain are housed at MAI’s headquarters in Cyberjaya, as well as the MAI Design Center and MAI Resource Centre in Rawang and Bukit Beruntung, respectively.

In April 2016, MAI launched the MAI Intelligent Technology Systems (MITS) service to help facilitate the high volume of data and meet the need for faster processing speeds. The High Performance Cloud Computing server was launched and is currently serving as a super-fast tool to perform computer aided engineering and validation during the design stages of automotive products and processes.