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Expansion Marks Company’s Fourth Facility in the Region, Boosts Capacity, and Creates 200 Jobs

September 12, 2024 – Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE), a global provider of engineering, design, and manufacturing services, today marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of its new facility in Penang, Malaysia. This expansion, Benchmark’s fourth facility in the region, underscores the company’s commitment to growth and innovation. The new facility, spanning an impressive 8,000 sq. metres with space to further expand, significantly enhances Benchmark’s capacity and capabilities in the region. With this addition, Benchmark’s total footprint in Penang now exceeds 40,000 sq. metres. To support the ramp-up of this new facility, Benchmark will be hiring up to 200 positions.

The grand opening ceremony was attended by key customers, suppliers, local dignitaries, and community partners. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) assumed a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of this new facility.

The Right Honourable Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang said, “With a long-standing reputation for innovation and technological excellence, Penang offers a robust industrial ecosystem that naturally attracts and retains investors. Benchmark’s expansion within the state serves as a testament to Penang’s status as a sustainable investment location. This move not only underscores Penang’s appeal to global industry leaders but also highlights the region’s capacity to support long-term growth and innovation.”

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, expressed his enthusiasm, stating “We are proud to have partnered with Benchmark on this expansion. This development not only underscores Malaysia’s standing as a top choice for investment but also showcases the strong ecosystem we’ve built for advanced manufacturing. Benchmark’s commitment to local talent development and hiring aligns perfectly with our goals under the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, which focuses on empowering local talent and creating high-value jobs for Malaysians. We’re eager to see the positive impact this expansion will have on the local community — from new job opportunities to boosting the local economy. We also look forward to the groundbreaking products and solutions that Benchmark will bring to life here, which will advance Malaysia’s role in advanced manufacturing.”

“Expanding our footprint in Asia, especially in Penang where the community and government have been so supportive of Benchmark’s continued investment, aligns well with our strategic direction,” said Jeff Benck, president and CEO of Benchmark. “This facility will enhance our capabilities and capacity, enabling us to better serve our growing customers who are either already located in the region or intend to further expand their production in APAC. We’d like to thank MIDA for their support of this new investment bringing additional capabilities and innovation to the state, as well as the support of various other community partners who have helped us achieve this goal.”

This expansion was driven by the need to accommodate new and existing customer projects, many of which are slated to launch in 2025, and to vertically integrate with Benchmark’s existing Penang facilities to improve quality, efficiency and time-to-market for customer products. Benchmark is bringing key capabilities such as e-beam welding, large form factor 5-axis machining, type-2 cleaning, and is establishing one of the largest welding and frame manufacturing operations in the region.

In the first half of 2024, the machinery and equipment industry recorded an approved investment of RM2.8 billion, reflecting strong growth and continued confidence in Malaysia’s capabilities.

To learn more about the new Penang facility and Benchmark’s capabilities in the region, please visit www.bench.com.

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About MIDA
MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube channel.

About InvestPenang
InvestPenang is the Penang State Government’s principal agency for the promotion of investment. Its objectives are to develop and sustain Penang’s economy by enhancing and continuously supporting business activities in the State through foreign and local investments, including spawning viable new growth centers. To realise its objectives, InvestPenang also runs initiatives like the SMART Penang Center (providing assistance to SMEs), Penang CAT Center (for talent attraction and retention), and Global Business Services (GBS) Focus Group (promoting and developing digital economy). For more information, please visit https://investpenang.gov.my/ and follow InvestPenang’s social media channels: Facebook; LinkedIn; WhatsApp Channel.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product life cycle; leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services; leveraging its optimized global supply chain; and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next-generation communications, medical, complex industrials, and semiconductor capital equipment. Benchmark’s global operations include facilities in seven countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

For More Information, Please Contact:

MIDA
Zakiah Sajidan (Ms)
Director of Machinery & Metal Technology Division
Email: zakiah@mida.gov.my
Tel: +603-2267 6769

InvestPenang
Elaine Cheah / Arief Ferdaus
Communications & Business Intelligence
Email: elaine@investpenang.gov.my / arief@investpenang.gov.my
Mobile: +604 6468 833

Benchmark
Alec Robertson
Brodeur Partners on behalf of Benchmark
Email: arobertson@brodeur.com
Mobile: 585-281-6399