Inokom’s RM300 Million Paint Shop 3 Investment Set to Strengthen Malaysia’s Automotive Industry and Vendor Ecosystem

Kulim, Kedah, 11 August 2026 — Inokom Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (Inokom) has strengthened its position within Malaysia’s automotive manufacturing industry with the launch of its new Paint Shop 3 (PS3), a facility developed with an investment of approximately RM300 million. The facility was officially launched by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, marking an important milestone in Inokom’s efforts to expand its manufacturing capabilities and support the long-term growth of Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem.

PS3 represents one of Sime’s largest manufacturing investments to date and is operated entirely by a Malaysian workforce. The investment reflects confidence in the regional automotive market while strengthening local capabilities, creating employment opportunities and enhancing Inokom’s competitiveness. The facility is also expected to position Inokom as a preferred manufacturing partner for local and regional automotive players.

According to Inokom Director Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ben Yeoh, the company has grown alongside Malaysia’s National Automotive Policy, evolving from its role in the country’s early automotive development into a trusted manufacturing partner for global automotive brands. The establishment of PS3 further demonstrates Inokom’s commitment to investing in local expertise, technology transfer and the future development of Malaysia’s automotive industry.

The new facility significantly expands Inokom’s painting capabilities, with PS3 designed to produce up to 50,000 painted vehicle bodies annually based on a two-shift operation. With a production rate of up to 15 units per hour and the ability to paint plastic components, the facility provides greater flexibility to accommodate multiple vehicle models. Following the investment, Inokom’s combined paint shop capacity has increased to 100,000 painted vehicle bodies per year.

Automation is at the heart of PS3’s operations, with the facility featuring a fully automated pre-treatment and electrodeposition (PTED) line, advanced spray booths and an integrated conveyor system. A total of 32 painting and sealant robots are deployed to deliver consistent and precise paint application across vehicle exteriors, interiors and plastic components, while also improving worker safety and reducing material waste.

Among the facility’s advanced technologies is a Cartridge Bell System (CBS), which enables colour changes in less than 10 seconds and supports up to 27 colour variants. This capability helps minimise production downtime while providing greater flexibility to respond to changing customer and production requirements. PS3 also employs an energy-efficient three-coat, one-bake process, allowing three layers of coating to be applied in a single baking cycle to reduce energy consumption and processing time.

The development of PS3 also facilitated knowledge and technology transfer through close collaboration between Inokom employees and Mazda’s technical support team and engineering specialists. Training, technical guidance and expertise shared throughout the installation and commissioning phases have contributed to strengthening local skills in advanced automotive manufacturing, supporting Inokom’s ambition to remain competitive as the industry evolves.

Safety and efficiency have also been incorporated into the facility’s production flow. Vehicle bodies are automatically transferred between the Body Shop, PS3 and Assembly Shop through overhead transfer tunnels, reducing manual handling, traffic interference and potential contamination. Meanwhile, the 1,053-metre automated conveyor network within the PTED line uses electric monorail systems, roller beds, lifters and turntables to facilitate smooth and continuous movement throughout the painting process.

Sustainability is another key feature of PS3, with the facility equipped with a Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) system connected to four ovens that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 60% through the decomposition of volatile organic compounds and recovery of heat. The facility also uses a dry scrubber filtration system that eliminates water consumption in spray booth operations, while its full waterborne paint readiness allows Inokom to transition towards more environmentally friendly coating technologies as industry requirements evolve.

With its expanded capacity, advanced automation, technology transfer and sustainability features, PS3 represents a significant investment in the future of Malaysia’s automotive manufacturing sector. The facility is expected to strengthen Inokom’s ability to support growing market demand, deepen local vendor and workforce participation, and provide a more flexible and environmentally responsible manufacturing platform for future automotive programmes.