KULIM, Kedah: Inokom Corp Sdn Bhd has marked a significant milestone with the launch of a new painting facility, Paint Shop 3 (PS3) which adds substantial production capability to the company's operations.
PS3 is one of Sime’s largest manufacturing investments to date, at RM300mil.
The company said that built and operated by a 100% Malaysian workforce, PS3 reflects Sime’s confidence in the regional automotive industry and in local capabilities.
PS3 was officially launched recently by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The investment is aimed at positioning Inokom as the manufacturing partner of choice for local and regional automotive ecosystems, while creating employment opportunities and enhancing competitiveness.
“Inokom has evolved alongside Malaysia's National Automotive Policy. From our beginnings as part of the nation's automotive development ambitions, we have grown into a trusted manufacturing partner for global automotive brands," said Inokom Corp director Tan Sri Ben Yeoh.
"Paint Shop 3 reflects our continued commitment to investing in local capabilities, technology transfer and the future growth of Malaysia's automotive industry," he added.
“The facility expands our painting capacity, increases production flexibility and strengthens our ability to support the evolving requirements of our customers," said Sime Motors managing director of assembly and strategic businesses (ASB) Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz.
"Designed with advanced automation, future waterborne paint readiness and sustainability features, PS3 positions Inokom to support future vehicle programmes while maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency and environmental responsibility,” he added.
The project has also enabled valuable knowledge and technology transfer through close collaboration with Mazda's technical support team and engineering specialists.
Based on a two-shift operation, PS3 is designed to support up to 50,000 painted vehicle bodies per year, at a rate of 15 units per hour coupled with capability of plastic parts painting.
With the addition of PS3, total combined paint shop capacity at Inokom has increased to 100,000 painted vehicle bodies per annum.
The facility supports multiple car models, offering the flexibility to scale production volumes and accommodate future requirements.
Most of PS3’s operations are automated, anchored by a fully automated pre-treatment and electrodeposition (PTED) line, advanced spray booths and an integrated conveyor system.
The facility is equipped with 32 painting and sealant robots, enabling consistent, high precision paint application across exterior and interior surfaces as well as plastic components.
Key automation features include a Cartridge Bell System (CBS) that enables rapid colour changes in under 10 seconds and supports up to 27 colour variants, reducing downtime and improving operational flexibility.
The high level of automation also enhances worker safety, minimises material waste and ensures uniform paint quality across higher production volumes.
PS3 also incorporates an energy-efficient three-coat, one-bake painting process, which enables three coating layers to be applied with a single baking cycle.
This reduces energy consumption, shortens processing time and supports more sustainable manufacturing operations while maintaining high paint quality standards.
PS3 is designed for seamless and safe production flow across manufacturing stages.
Vehicle bodies are transferred automatically between the Body Shop, PS3 and Assembly Shop via overhead transfer tunnels, reducing manual handling, traffic interference and contamination risks.
The PTED line features a 1,053 metre fully automated conveyor network, comprising electric monorail systems, roller beds, lifters and turntables to support smooth and continuous movement throughout the painting process, enabling stable production ramp up and reliable throughput.
PS3 was designed with environmental sustainability in mind. A Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) system connected to four ovens reduces CO2 emissions by 60% through the decomposition of volatile organic compounds and reuse of recovered heat.
The facility also features a dry scrubber filtration system that eliminates water usage in spray booth operations, reducing environmental impact and maintenance requirements.
In addition, PS3 has been designed with full waterborne paint readiness, enabling a seamless transition to more environmentally friendly coating technologies.
Energy efficiency is further enhanced through smart building design, with production at ground level and ovens positioned on the upper floor, minimising heat impact on work areas and reducing cooling energy consumption.
