The international technology group SCHOTT celebrated the 50th anniversary of its presence in Malaysia at Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang yesterday.
The event was graced by Dato Hans Peter Brenner, Honorary Consul of Germany and representatives from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Its production plants in Penang and Kulim are two of SCHOTT’s leading facilities in Asia to provide high-end processing for global high-tech industries, including semiconductors, augmented reality, consumer electronics, medical, space, and other industrial applications.
The Penang plant was founded 50 years ago as the Germany-based company’s first high-tech glass processing hub in Asia, and the Kulim site was inaugurated in September 2024 to further build up production capacity.
“In the 1970s, as the SCHOTT brand grew in global prestige and recognition, we wanted a site that could service markets within the Asian region. Due to its strategic location, we decided to set up our first production site in Asia here in Penang, and it has played a crucial role in serving customers not just in Southeast Asia, but also leading companies in Korea, China, Europe, and the US ever since. Since opening our doors in 1975, we have grown from strength to strength, with a tenfold increase in the number of employees and a substantial expansion of our offerings for diverse high-tech industries, from AR gadgets and foldable devices, next-generation chips, space exploration to medical technology,” said Peter Berberich, Site Manager of SCHOTT Penang.
“Through the government’s support, our continued investment and the expansion of our facilities in Malaysia, we aspire to consistently build and develop local talents through knowledge and training, allowing a space for the younger generation to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of
specialty glass,” he added.
SCHOTT has positioned Malaysia at the core of the company’s success as it greatly contributes to serving global customers in high-tech industries today. In September 2024, SCHOTT expanded further with the opening of a new facility in Kulim, Kedah, to allow its continued development in Malaysia and to further contribute to shaping the future of technology, not only locally, but also globally.
“I am truly delighted to celebrate SCHOTT’s 50th anniversary in Malaysia, a remarkable milestone that speaks to the power of enduring partnerships. For five decades, SCHOTT has been an integral part of our country’s industrial fabric, bringing with them innovative technologies, expertise, and a commitment to creating meaningful jobs. What I find particularly inspiring is how their continued investment in Malaysia aligns with our own aspirations for the future, as outlined in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030. It is a testament to the fact that, together, we can achieve great things and create a brighter future for our people. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the entire SCHOTT team and look forward to many more years of collaboration and success,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of MIDA.
“Malaysia and Germany are major trading partners and have always supported each other, especially in the business and education industries. SCHOTT’s presence in Malaysia is a great example of how both countries have come together, combining resources and manpower to create products and services that shape the future of technology in the world. As time goes on, we hope to continue this incredible partnership with Malaysia, further strengthening our ties through teamwork and resilience,” said Dato Hans Peter Brenner, Honorary Consul of Germany.
To further demonstrate SCHOTT’s dedication towards enhancing the technology sector in Malaysia, the 50th anniversary event offered its attendees a sneak peek into the future through the setup of exhibits that allowed attendees to take a closer look at ongoing SCHOTT projects.
From semiconductors to medical technology, SCHOTT Malaysia empowers innovations from industry leaders around the world, allowing the continuous development of future-oriented technologies. SCHOTT is actively exploring new innovations and building up manufacturing and processing capability in Malaysia, with a focus on two areas, namely augmented reality and semiconductors.
SCHOTT made its appearance in the technology industry over 140 years ago through its invention of specialty glass attributed to its founder, Otto Schott. Until then, the company invented major materials that have changed the world, e.g. borosilicate glass, the world’s “gold standard” for pharmaceutical packaging to date; the first black glass-ceramic for cooking (SCHOTT CERAN ® );
Guinness world record holding ultra-thin glass (SCHOTT UTG ® ); high-index lightweight glasses which made major improvements to high diopter eyeglasses by researcher icon Marga Faulstich; or ZERODUR ® glass-ceramics for the world's largest optical and near-infrared telescopes, including the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT).
SCHOTT is a 100% subsidiary of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, which was founded in 1889 by physicist and entrepreneur Ernst Abbe, with the support of Otto Schott, to promote the research of science and technology, and to create an open environment for scientific breakthroughs. Long-term thinking and responsible action act as guiding principles of the Carl Zeiss Foundation in order to accommodate generations of innovators and the sustainability of resources.
SCHOTT’s commitment to decarbonizing its glass production through its ongoing technological breakthroughs, e.g., by building a fully electric melting tank in Germany, or successfully piloting large-scale glass production using 100% hydrogen.
Source – SCHOTT Malaysia