KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer headquartered in the Netherlands, has made a strategic decision to establish its Regional Distribution and Supply Chain Centre for ASEAN in Malaysia. The Centre, which will adopt the structure and technology of IKEA’s biggest Regional Distribution Centre in Germany, will also be among the top 10 largest Regional Distribution Centres of IKEA Group globally. 

The company will invest RM908 million for the new Centre that will manage an inventory of 9,500 stock keeping units (SKUs) worth RM6.6 billion annually. IKEA’s new 100,000m² specialised warehouse will utilise its integrated ICT systems and automation to reduce the dependency on labour and significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of its inventory management processes.

Malaysia has always been a significant market for IKEA. IKEA’s retail stores in Malaysia are among IKEA’s most visited stores globally. With the establishment of the Regional Distribution and Supply Chain Centre, Malaysia will strengthen its role in supporting IKEA’s growth in the ASEAN region. The Centre will serve 12 retail stores in ASEAN, which will increase to 20 stores by 2026.

On congratulating IKEA, YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade & Industry (MITI) said, “The project, which resulted from continuous engagements and facilitation by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), represents a significant milestone for both IKEA and Malaysia. IKEA’s decision of selecting our country as a base to support retailers in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines and India underscores the strategic fit of this country in supporting IKEA’s overall growth strategy in the ASEAN region.”

“The establishment also adds momentum towards making Malaysia a Regional Distribution Hub and preferred logistics gateway to Asia as outlined in the National Logistics and Trade Facilitation Masterplan and National E-Commerce Strategic Roadmap (NESR). Deployment of technology in the logistics chain has been identified as the key factor in strengthening the capabilities of logistics service providers towards enhancing trade facilitation mechanisms. Thus, IKEA’s high-flow and automated warehouse is certainly well-aligned to this agenda,” added YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa.

The Malaysian Government has also been actively encouraging large local conglomerates and MNCs to set up their regional establishment in Malaysia through various business models including the Principal Hub (PH) scheme that allows companies to centralise their global activities such as procurement and distribution. Such establishments bring along many multiplier effects to the country, ranging from creating high value jobs, incurring high business spending, intensifying usage of local ancillary services, increasing the flow of foreign exchange as well as strengthening the value chain in targeted industries. 

As to date, MIDA has approved a total of 26 PH projects since its introduction in May 2015. Over the next 10 years, these projects are poised to contribute RM16.8 billion in business spending, utilise local ancillary services worth RM2.2 billion and generate more than 1,800 high value jobs for Malaysians. Among renowned companies that have been accorded with the PH scheme include Honeywell, Super Group, Avago Technologies, Lotte Chemical Titan, Daikin and Sharp.

ABOUT MIDA
MIDA is the government's principal promotion agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Starting operations in 1967 with a relatively small set up of 37 staff, MIDA has grown to become a strong and dynamic organisation of over 700 employees. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA today has 12 regional and 23 overseas offices. This year as the organisation celebrates its 50th anniversary, MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era.

SOURCE : Malaysian Investment Development Authority 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Puan Roeslina Abbas
Director, Business Services & Supply Chain Innovation Division, MIDA
Tel : 03-2267 3473 
Emel : roeslina@mida.gov.my

--BERNAMA