Ministry of International Trade and Industry mitigating economic fallout from pandemic
Waterco has eight injection moulding machines, ranging from 150 to 1600-tonne clamping force, at its manufacturing plant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28 April, 2020 – The Kuala Lumpur manufacturing plant of water treatment manufacturer and distributor Waterco Limited (ASX:WAT) has reopened six weeks after the coronavirus pandemic paralyzed factory activity – immediately resuming 50 per cent production.
The temporary lockdown was in response to the 2020 Malaysia movement control order (Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Malaysia 2020), commonly referred to as the MCO, a cordon sanitaire implemented as a preventive measure by the federal government of Malaysia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resuming production of proprietary equipment
The Malaysia Ministry of International Trade and Industry approved workers at Waterco Far East to resume production of proprietary equipment that is used in residential, commercial and industrial applications in over 40 countries.
“We received approval to start up the factory on 50 per cent headcount,” says Chief Executive Officer, Soon Sinn Goh. “However, we will rotate workers seven days, which means we will be able to achieve 70 per cent of normal capacity. “Hopefully we will be allowed to move to 70 per cent headcount after a few weeks and that will give us 98 per cent.”
Covering over 25000 square metres, the high-tech facility is separated into production, injection moulding, assembly, testing and distribution.
“Workers are refreshed and motivated to work,” says Soon Sinn as well. “We are excited to resume production and help stimulate Malaysia’s economy.”