In a move that underscores its long-term commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, Oliver Healthcare Packaging has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Johor, Malaysia. Located in the strategic Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the facility is positioned to meet growing regional demand while advancing the company’s goals around customer proximity, sustainable operations, and supply chain resilience. In this exclusive interview with BioPharma APAC, Kenneth De Muynck, General Manager for Asia Pacific, shares insights into the site’s role in Oliver’s broader APAC strategy and what it means for the future of sterile medical packaging in the region.
Closer to Customers, Stronger in Supply: Oliver’s APAC Leader on Malaysia Facility and Future Plans
23 May 2025 | Friday | Interview
Kenneth De Muynck, General Manager for Asia Pacific, shares how Oliver Healthcare Packaging’s new Johor, Malaysia facility reinforces its leadership in sterile packaging across Asia-Pacific
What factors influenced Oliver's decision to establish this facility in Johor, and how does it align with your broader Asia-Pacific strategy?
Our facility is located in the i-Tech Valley, an integrated industrial park in the established economic zone of Iskandar Puteri, Johor. It is a prime location that is set within the established Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which offers strong infrastructure, economic connectivity, and access to investments and talent that we can tap into.
Malaysia is also home to one of the highest concentrations of medical manufacturing sites in Southeast Asia, and Johor is in close proximity to the growing number of customers we have in the country, Singapore and across Asia Pacific. In this regard, the location of the facility will allow us to be closer to our customers, so that we can continue to meet their growing demand.
Could you elaborate on the specific products and services that will be offered at this new site?
The new facility will offer sterile medical packaging such as pouches, die-cut lids and roll stock, which are critical in ensuring the safety and integrity of medical products. Our facility is internationally certified with ISO13845 and ISO 7 & 8 cleanroom certifications. All products manufactured at the facility will go through a robust and comprehensive validation process, and are designed to protect a variety of healthcare solutions—from biopharmaceutical products to medical devices.
What sustainable practices have been integrated into the facility's design and operations?
When developing this facility, we placed a large emphasis on sustainable manufacturing processes. Some of the sustainable infrastructure features include: auto sensor energy saving LED lights, a rainwater harvesting system, and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.
Operations for the facility will also continue to use our company wide approach to sustainability, with an overall focus on tracking and reducing waste and emissions.
What types of roles are you looking to fill at the Johor facility, and how do you plan to attract and retain top talent in the region?
We are aiming to fill various roles in quality, engineering, logistics and supply chain management in the coming year to meet growing capabilities at the facility.
Oliver has been a sterile barrier expert for over 50 years, and is trusted by over 5,000 customers worldwide, including the top 20 MedTech companies in the world. We are confident that with our proven track record, and by fostering a positive work environment focused on collaboration, empowerment, and giving back to the community, we will be able to attract and retain talent in Asia.
How will this expansion enhance service delivery and value for your customers across the Asia-Pacific region?
Amid rising freight costs, natural disasters and geopolitical headwinds, an increasing number of companies are looking to mitigate risk for delays in production. With our strategic location, our facility can help our customers build resilience in production and supply chain.
We also offer a cross-functional customer support team that is well-placed to serve both regional and global customers operating out of Malaysia. The facility will work closely with our regional headquarters and Technical Centre in Singapore to deliver greater value for our customers in the region.
Are there any plans for further expansion or additional facilities in the region in the near future?
We are focused on ensuring this site runs smoothly and meets the needs of our customers in the region. This is currently our largest plant in Asia, with significant room for growth in capacity.
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