_pn.png){kind=small}
An Interview with Ir. Ts. Ong Mum Fei, Director of VC Engineering
Education Background & Years: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (graduated in 2005) University: Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn
1. VC Engineering was established in 2010, and it has more than 20 years of experience in semiconductor
and other industries. Please walk us through the company’s history and milestones.
VC’s journey initially began in Europe & China where our directors were heavily involved in cleanroom projects for the European & Chinese semiconductor industries. In 2015, when we came across a Taiwanese company that wanted to set up its facilities in Malaysia, we saw a gap in our local market. We seized the opportunity by setting up our first office in Simpang Ampat, Penang.
The first 3 years of our local operations were made successful by mostly semiconductor projects, after which we started venturing into other industries with increasing demand for cleanroom services such as pharmaceutical, life science, food & beverages, automatic, palm oil, etc. Our clients have continued to grow over the years and to date, we are proud to say that we have completed over MYR300m worth of projects across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
2. Can you discuss recent innovations or advancements in the company’s product portfolio in the palm oil
industry?
Recent advancements in our food grade’s architectural materials include modular construction, which enhances efficiency and flexibility by allowing cleanroom expansions without rebuilding. We also utilize Building Information Modeling (BIM) to create detailed digital representations, improving collaboration and
identifying issues before construction begins, thus optimizing building performance. Additionally, our research into prefabrication systems aims to streamline processes and reduce timelines by manufacturing components off-site.
In the palm oil industry, we recognize the unique needs of each stage of the process, requiring different room types and approaches. While the broader construction industry continually evolves with new technologies, our focus remains on tailoring solutions to meet the specific requirements of our customers in the palm oil sector.
3. What are the key products or technologies that drive the company’s revenue, and how does the company prioritize investments in innovation for the palm oil industry?
Our key products and technologies driving revenue in the palm oil sector include advanced food-grade architectural materials and specialized modular construction techniques tailored for palm oil processing environments. We prioritize substantial investments in research and development, focusing on software and machinery that enhance our team’s capabilities.
Given the unique requirements of each palm oil project, our expert engineers are crucial in customizing solutions to meet specific client needs. We invest in upskilling our teams through ongoing training and by acquiring cutting-edge tools and software to ensure they can deliver exceptional results and innovate effectively in the palm oil industry.
4. How does the company build and maintain strong relationships with customers, including OEMs, distributors, and end-users?
The nature of our business gives us a significant competitive advantage in that we can work very closely with our clients on every project that we secure because the cleanroom industry is not a ‘one size fits all’—every client of ours has their own specific needs and preferences, and every cleanroom is not the same.
A customer-centric approach is what works for us; all the challenges that come with prioritizing our clients’ needs help us focus on delivering high-quality services and providing reliable solutions that eventually build trust and foster long-term relationships. We also strive to maintain open and transparent communication with our clients and distributors, which is key to maintaining strong relationships because clear and timely communication helps us address issues promptly and ensures alignment on expectations from all parties.
Besides incorporating clients’ feedback into our continuous improvement actions, we also offer responsive after-sales support and services to help our clients resolve any issues which includes technical support and troubleshooting guidance.
5. How does the company manage risks related to supply chain disruptions, market volatility, and regulatory changes?
To minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions, we simply diversify our suppliers and work with at least three or more vendors, especially for the more critical components. It would be very dangerous and risky for us to rely on only a selected few because we can never predict what is going to happen to the market. Natural disasters, geopolitical issues, supplier insolvencies—any of this happens and we’d have to be prepared for a big dent in our project progress.
When COVID-19 hit for the first time, we were extremely lucky and mostly unaffected by it due to our niche nature and concentration on critical products; in our case, it was the pharmaceutical industry. It helped us sustain ourselves while other semiconductor projects alike took a rather big hit. COVID-19 has taught us a lot—we have learned to be more agile and flexible in managing our supply chain and operations so that our company can respond quickly to the constantly changing market conditions and unforeseen disruptions.
We also make sure that we are always up to date when it comes to regulatory changes, which is very crucial because we do work with overseas suppliers as well.
6. Share with us on the company’s goal and plan to be a complete EPCC.
Our main goal is to become one of the leading cleanroom construction companies in Asia and to become a complete EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning) entity, we aim to enhance our capabilities in delivering comprehensive services that cover the entire lifecycle of a project.
Our team plays an important role in this and we will continue to develop and assemble teams of skilled professionals with the necessary competencies and expertise to handle complex EPCC projects and develop efficient project delivery processes to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
We also aim to expand our services by offering a wider range of services such as project management, technical support, and consultancy to address various client needs and solutions.