GEORGE TOWN, Nov 28 (Bernama) — Keysight Technologies, a global leader in electronic measurement technology, is investing RM500 million to expand its operations in Penang.

Keysight Technologies Malaysia and Singapore President, Datuk Gooi Soon Chai, said the investment would be allocated for Phase One, that included hiring about 500 new workers especially research and development (R&D) engineers.

He said the company would also expand its business processes and was planning for Phase Two. He however declined to elaborate.

“Keysight Technologies is now officially launched and I want to enforce Keysight’s commitment here, that Penang’s contribution is very strong.

“We have been here for over 40 years and we are one of Penang’s Eight Samurais,” he told reporters after the launch of Keysight Technologies in Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, here today.

Keysight Technologies, formerly Agilent Electronic Measurement Group, completed its spinoff from Agilent on Nov 1 this year. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange on Nov 3, marking its start as an independent public company.

Gooi said the company now has vast global responsibilities and core competencies that include the full value chain from R&D, business management and worldwide supply chain to sales, marketing and support.

“The few things that we are focusing on is small application, application R&D. The world is changing and customers are now looking for solutions. One area is 5G communications, second is how to provide solutions for the new Internet devices, and the third area is sensor technology.

“We are looking for people that have engineering and software background. So it really is diverse skillsets that we are looking for,” he added.

He said currently the company has 2,600 workers comprising 100 per cent Malaysians, from the top leadership teams to talented employees.

Meanwhile, Lim said the fact that the company had chosen to continue to make Penang the nucleus of its integrated operations was a testament to the state’s attractiveness as a top investment hub.

He said Penang maybe small in size but the state continued to attract big names to do business.

Bernama, 28 November 2014