GEORGE TOWN: Penang reinforced its reputation as a regional industrial powerhouse with the opening of four major co-located manufacturing expos at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre yesterday, drawing thousands of trade visitors, engineers and industry leaders from across Asia.
The four-in-one event — comprising the Electronics Manufacturing Expo Asia (EMAX 2025), Penang Manufacturing Expo (PMAX 2025), and the debut editions of the Semiconductor Asia Expo (SMAX) and Asia Sustainable Factories Expo (ASFAX) — was officially launched by YB Goh Choon Aik, ADUN for Bukit Tambun.
Organised by Fireworks Trade Media Group and NRG Exhibitions (M) Sdn Bhd, the three-day event features over 200 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, including major players from China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand.
Also present at the launch were NRG CEO Kenny Yong, PMAX Advisor Philip Vincent, Yin Gang, Deputy Director-General of China’s Ministry of Commerce, and Machida Shinya, Consul-General of Japan in Penang.
In his speech, YB Goh praised the organisers for curating a future-forward showcase that aligned with Malaysia’s national push for green, digital and high-value manufacturing, noting Penang’s growing influence in the sector.
“Penang contributed 22 per cent of Malaysia’s total approved manufacturing investments in the first quarter of 2025. Events like these play a crucial role in strengthening our position as a global hub for electronics and semiconductors,” he said.
The expo marks a major milestone with the introduction of SMAX and ASFAX — both geared towards the future of smart and sustainable manufacturing.
SMAX focuses on the full spectrum of the semiconductor supply chain, from wafer design and material sciences to packaging and backend automation, while ASFAX centres on energy-efficient factory solutions and ESG-driven technologies that support low-carbon production goals.
“The event is 20 per cent larger than last year’s edition, reflecting both regional demand and Penang’s growing role in Asia’s industrial transformation,” said Yong, adding that the four expos are part of a broader vision to position Malaysia at the heart of next-gen tech manufacturing.
The exhibition features a range of programmes including technical seminars, live technology demonstrations, ESG showcases, industry forums, a wire harness competition and curated business matching sessions. A networking cocktail session is also scheduled to foster industry collaboration.
Philip Vincent, who has been involved in EMAX and PMAX since its inception, said the exponential growth in international participation is a strong indicator of the event’s strategic value.
“We’ve gone from 20 participating countries to over 40. That speaks volumes about the confidence global players have in Penang as an innovation hub,” he said.
Admission is free for all trade and industry professionals. The event runs until July 25, with doors open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
