Alstom Opens Regional Centre for Manufacturing, Assembly and Integrated Testing in Malaysia

A new regional centre for manufacturing, assembly and integrated testing for Alstom Thermal Power Automation and Controls (PAC) was launched in September 2011 at Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ), Malaysia. Dominique Llonch, Vice President of PAC Business, who launched the new centre also remarked, "I am truly impressed with this facility, especially its capability to become a hub to serve and deliver our solutions to customers all over the Asia-Pacific regions."

This centre houses six assembly and testing bays, a customer lounge as well as a parts and equipment storage facility. It will be able to assemble, at any one time, up to 200 automation (distributed control system and machine control) cabinets, 12 excitation (automatic voltage regulator) panels as well as 20 monitoring and diagnostics systems. The centre is also connected via a high-speed link to the Alstom network.

The centre will enable the Alstom Power Automation (ALSPA) modules to be completely assembled, integrated and fully tested before being delivered to the customers. The centre is equipped to conduct stringent Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) together with the end-customer. Chee-Foon Leong, PAC's Region Vice President said during the launch, "When we successfully secured numerous automation and controls projects in the region, we knew immediately that we had to develop an integrated centre to boost our capacity, increase our capability and ensure our quality. This new centre has been designed to meet all these criteria as well as to grow our business in the region."

Housed in a tax-free zone, this centre will be used to serve the Asia-Pacific region. PAC equipment from the global supply chain will be brought to the centre for final manufacturing, assembly and integrated testing before being shipped out into the region, without the need for customs duties and taxes. This will expedite and cost-optimise the implementation of projects in the region.

In addition, a regional hub for critical spare parts will also be housed in this centre. This will enable these parts to be ready for immediate shipment to customers in the region and thus enable Alstom to meet customer expectations for rapid response and fast delivery.