MATTEL (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD (MMSB) 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN MALAYSIA
KEYNOTE SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
MATTEL (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD (MMSB)
40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN MALAYSIA
6 DECEMBER 2022
His Excellency Ambassador Brian McFeeters
US Ambassador to Malaysia
Dato’ Sri Norazman Ayob
Deputy Secretary General (Industry) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Dato' Azhar b. Hj Arshad
Mayor of Seberang Perai (MBSP)
Dato' Seri Lee Kah Choon
Special Investment Advisor to the Chief Minister
Dato' Loo Lee Lian
CEO of Invest Penang
Mr Steve Totzke
President & Chief Commercial Officer, Mattel Incorporated
Mr Soo Teck Heng
Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing, MOA & MSC
Madam Tiffani Magri
Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Government Affairs
Mr Thammarong Ruedeesirchot
Vice President and General Manager MBK / MMSB
Mr Paul Faulkner
Vice President and Country Manager ANZ, South Asia, Japan
Madam Ching Chiau Lee
General Manager of Mattel Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning, everyone.
I am pleased to be here today, delivering the keynote speech for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Mattel in Malaysia. This celebration marks a great milestone for Mattel’s presence in Malaysia, especially in Penang, showcasing its well-established manufacturing operations here in the state. My heartiest congratulation to Mattel’s team and all involved for the milestone.
Mattel Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMSB) was established in 1981 in Seberang Perai, Penang, and was Mattel’s first manufacturing plant in Malaysia. Now, MMSB is Mattel's largest Hot Wheels plant and is the main producer of Mattel’s flagship Hot Wheels vehicles globally. In addition, Mattel has also established its ‘one-stop centre’, the Mattel Development and Tooling (MDT) facility in 1985, here in Seberang Perai, Penang.
We are proud that Mattel continues to invest in Penang as a key destination within its global supply chain. This is a strong indication of the state’s efforts and commitment to developing a welcoming environment for industry players and positioning the state at the forefront of industrialisation.
I would like to express my gratitude to Mattel for its confidence in Penang and continued investments into the state.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In line with the Penang2030 Vision of “A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation”, Mattel has begun its journey towards digitalisation, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) adoption as well as support and development for its local vendors.
Across its operations, Mattel directly employs over 4,000 people and are consistently investing in skills and development of its employees and the Malaysian workforce.
Throughout the years, Mattel has also succeeded in developing a thriving ecosystem for the toy industry in the Perai Free Trade Zone, across industries, such as packaging, paint, material supplies and machine design. Mattel has encouraged the growth of their local partners including Walta Engineering, Mattel’s automation vendor, with whom Mattel has co-designed and developed custom-made automated machines for its processes and Pheonix Press, Mattel’s printing partner.
It is heartening to see the positive spillover effects that Mattel has brought to the homegrown companies. This is in line with the supply chain localisation agenda that the state constantly advocates, via InvestPenang.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mattel for inviting me to witness its commemoration of 40 years in Malaysia. This is a significant milestone to be followed by many more, including the plant expansion with the first phase to be completed next month.
The state, via InvestPenang and other relevant state agencies, is committed in ensuring a versatile talent pool, supportive infrastructure and resilient industry clusters. These are among the imperatives for effective supply chain management and sustained competitiveness, all of which are believed to add value on Mattel’s operation in Penang.
I look forward to enhancing our partnership in the years to come. My best wishes to all.
Thank you.