EPB Group Bhd, a one-stop food processing and packaging machinery solutions provider, has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Penang Development Corporation to buy an industrial land at Penang Science Park North.

EPB said the acquisition is for RM22.49 million and is in line with its strategic expansion based on the objective of its initial public offering.

The land is adjacent to EPB’s existing factory and corporate office in Penang.

The acquisition will facilitate the construction of a new factory, corporate office, warehouse, and showroom.

This will enhance its expansion of robotics offerings, production capacity and ability to meet the growing demand for food processing and packaging machinery solutions, EPB said.

EPB has allocated RM13.0 million from its public issue proceeds to fund the deal.

On the other hand, RM10.5 million from its public issue proceeds has been earmarked for the construction of a new factory attached with a corporate office.

The factory will cater to the production of food processing and packaging machinery, such as robotics machines, while the corporate office will provide additional warehousing space and a showroom to showcase EPB’s product offerings.

EPB managing director Yeoh Chee Min said the acquisition represents an important step in its growth journey.

“It is fully aligned with our long-term strategy to expand our business footprint in Penang, increase production capacity, and deliver more innovative robotics solutions to our clients.”

Liew Meng Hooi, its deputy MD, said by integrating its new corporate office, factory, and warehouse into one location, EzpN is demonstrating a new level of operational efficiency.

“This move will streamline our processes, boost production, and further cement our ability to meet increasing customer demands in the food processing and packaging machinery industry.”

EPB said it remains focused on its expansion plans to capitalise on the anticipated growth in the Malaysian food processing machinery sector.

The sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.4 per cent from 2024 to 2028 based on the independent market research report in EPB’s listing prospectus.

Source: NST Online

Juru Hills is an affordable condominium development by Harta Intan Group, located in Juru near Bukit Mertajam. Positioned along Jalan Juru, it is just a short drive from Juru Light Industrial Park and Bukit Minyak Light Industrial Park. The surrounding neighborhoods include Taman Bukit Minyak Indah, Taman Sentul, and Juru Village.

This development features two 39-storey residential towers, offering over a thousand affordable units. Each unit comes with a standard built-up area of 850 sq.ft., with an indicative price starting from RM250,000.

Project Name : Juru Hills
Location : Bukit Mertajam
Property Type : Affordable housing
Tenure : Freehold
Built-up Area: 850 sq.ft.
Total Units : (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: RM250,000
Developer : Harta Intan Group

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider or party in question.

Chief Minister Y.A.B. Tuan Chow Kon Yeow announced that the Batu Kawan Public Market, covering 7.7 acres in Bandar Cassia, is currently undergoing land treatment ahead of tender openings expected in December.

Valued at RM60 million, which includes road upgrades, this will be the first public market in Batu Kawan, designed to better serve local residents. The project is anticipated to take 24 months to complete, with Chow expressing hope for a swift timeline due to the community’s pressing need for such facilities.

Currently, residents rely heavily on goods sold from shop houses and unauthorized residential premises. Once the land treatment is complete, a contractor will be appointed, allowing construction of the public market, a hawker complex, and shops to commence as early as 2025.

Chow’s visit to the development site near Jalan Batu Kawan highlighted the project’s significance for enhancing local commerce and improving access to essential goods for the community.

The Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) has announced that the NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) in Bayan Lepas is nearing completion and is expected to begin operations in December. The 23,000 sq ft facility, located at Hilir Sungai Kluang 2, has reached 97% completion, with full construction anticipated by November.

NCIA chief executive officer Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan shared these updates during a working visit by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. The NTIC aims to become a key technology hub, supporting industry clusters, enhancing supply chain integration, and fostering innovation and technological growth. It will focus on five key sectors: Electrical and Electronics (E&E), Machinery and Equipment (M&E), Medical Equipment and Devices, Aerospace, and Agri-Technology.

Chief Minister Chow welcomed the progress, noting that the NTIC will play a pivotal role in promoting high-value activities such as product development, research and development (R&D), technological innovation, and talent development. He highlighted the potential for the NTIC to create new high-value job opportunities, boosting Penang’s economy.

Mohamad Haris also praised Penang’s strong economic ecosystem, citing positive feedback from potential investors during trade missions. He emphasized key NTIC initiatives, including the Advanced Technology Meister Programme (ATMP), Centre of Excellence Provider (CoEP), Centre of Excellence User (CoEU), and the Technology & Innovation (T&I) platform, all designed to strengthen technological capabilities and attract investment in the region.

The road leading to Penang Botanic Gardens will experience a partial closure from October 15, 2023, to June 30, 2026, due to the construction of the much-anticipated Penang Hill cable car project. This initiative is a collaboration between Penang Hill Corporation and Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, with Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH, an Austria-based leader in ropeway systems, providing the cable car infrastructure.

During this period, while the Penang Botanic Gardens will remain open to the public, visitors will face parking adjustments. They are required to park at designated lots located between 750 meters to 1 kilometer away, including at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple (Waterfall Hilltop Temple), Youth Park, and Nattukkottai Chattier Temple parking areas. From there, visitors will need to walk to the gardens. Penang infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari advised against roadside parking and encouraged carpooling or public transportation due to limited parking options.

The partial closure will begin at the intersection of Jalan Kebun Bunga and Lorong Air Terjun, near the Park Avenue apartment. Traffic controllers will be stationed at key points, including the Penang Botanic Gardens Department’s office, to manage the flow of vehicles. Only authorised vehicles and residents will have access to the closed sections of the road.

Heavy construction vehicles will operate during non-peak hours on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, a section of Viaduct Road near Bypath J, which connects to the Jeep Track at KM3.8, will also be closed during Phase Two of the project. Hill residents are encouraged to use alternative routes, such as Jalan Tuanku Yahya Petra (Summit Road) and Upper Tunnel Road, for access.

The Penang Hill cable car project promises to enhance connectivity to Penang Hill, though temporary disruptions are expected during the construction phase.