Boeing relaunches its Malaysian manufacturing site as Boeing Composites Malaysia

• Growth over last 77 years, a recognition of aerospace industry capabilities
• Site is Boeing’s first wholly owned manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia

Global aircraft maker Boeing has a 77-years presence in Malaysia that has seen the US company steadily expand its presence in the country beyond just having a sales and service team and corporate office. It has a manufacturing facility in Kedah and a global support center in Cyberjaya as well.

That manufacturing facility, Aerospace Composites Malaysia, initially a joint venture with Malaysian partner, Hexcel Corporation in 1998, which Boeing fully acquired in Dec 2023, was relaunched today as Boeing Composites Malaysia. 

The facility provides composite products and sub-assemblies for all Boeing commercial airplane models including the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner and is Boeing’s first wholly owned manufacturing facility in Southeast Asia. The site employs an all-Malaysian workforce of approximately 1,000 people. 

“Malaysia needs both speed and scale to accelerate manufacturing practices and proactively develop the country's aerospace industry,” said Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

“MITI, through MIDA and NAICO Malaysia, is committed in creating an environment that supports rapid industrial growth, particularly in high-value sectors like aerospace. I am confident that Boeing has found Malaysia more than capable to support the sophistication required to manufacture quality parts for your global customer,” he added.

[Ed: Para updated with quote from Hairil.]

Joining Hairil at the relaunch was United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard D. Kagan; Boeing employees, representatives from the Malaysian government and Boeing’s partners in Malaysia.

“Our advanced facility and talented team in Kedah play a vital role in Malaysia’s thriving aerospace industry,” said Penny Burtt, president, Boeing Southeast Asia. “We are honored to collaborate with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and recognize Boeing Composites Malaysia’s exceptional safety and quality record.” 

Sikh Shamsul Majid, CEO of MIDA, said, "This is a strong testament to our skilled workforce and our strategic position in the aerospace industry. MIDA is fully committed to supporting Boeing Composites Malaysia’s continued success in the global aerospace supply chain."

Boeing's 77-years partnership with Malaysia which dates to 1947 when Malayan Airways Limited acquired its first Douglas DC-3, supports the development of aerospace and defense capabilities through safety training, sustainability workshops, supply chain development, university collaborations and community impact initiatives.

Together with the relaunch, Boeing also announced a US$10,180 (RM44,000) higher education grant to the Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (National Youth Skills Institute) in Jitra, Kedah to train 30 students in machining technology and fabrication, while guiding them toward employment possibilities in the aerospace industry.