APM Automotive Holdings Bhd, one of Malaysia’s largest autoparts manufacturing group officially started the operation of its wholly-owned leaf spring plant in Vietnam, APM Springs (Vietnam) Co Ltd at the Vietnam— Singapore Industrial Park, Thuan An commune, southern province of Binh Duong on November 30.
Covering an area of 10,000 square metres and with investment capital of US$4 million the leaf spring plant specialises in manufacturing leaf spring with an initial capacity of 6,000 tonnes of leaf springs per year in which 80% is for export and 20% is for domestic consumption.
APM is currently the leading original equipment manufacturer supplier to local automotive manufacturers and assemblers in Malaysia. Besides producing leaf spring for automobiles, the group also produces shock absorbers, coils springs, metal and parts.
APM, a company listed since 1999 with a capital of more than US$53 million, is one of Malaysia’s largest auto parts manufacturing groups with revenue of more than US$200 million last year.
According to the company, Vietnam’s automotive parts industry is considered small and in the infant stage compared with those of in the region. The government has sought to strengthen local players in the industry and encourage the local production of parts and components.
The group’s first venture into the Malaysia auto parts industry was the establishment of a leaf spring manufacturing plant in 1978.
Apart from leaf springs, the APM group also produces shock absorbers, coils springs, metal parts, gas springs, automotive seats, plastic parts, air-conditioning systems and electric starter motors.
It also has trading operations abroad in Australia, the US as well as joint-venture manufacturing operations in Indonesia and China.
The company’s auto equipment has been supplied to many automotive firms including Proton and Perodua.