News | Press Releases

February 11, 2015

Toshiba Medical Systems Manufacturing Asia Sdn. Bhd. Officially Launched in Penang - Malaysia's First Diagnostic Imaging Systems Manufacturing Base Established by Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation -

Penang, Malaysia - Toshiba Medical Systems Manufacturing Asia Sdn. Bhd. (TMMA), a wholly-owned Malaysian subsidiary of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation was officially launched today. Based in Bayan Lepas, Penang, the subsidiary will be Malaysia’s first diagnostic imaging systems manufacturing base. The facility is also Toshiba's third manufacturing base outside Japan, following the bases in Dalian, China, and Campinas, Brazil and will cater to demands from global markets.

The factory was officially inaugurated by Y.A.B Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang in the presence of Mr. Ryuji Noda, The Consul-General of Japan in Penang; Mr. Satoshi Tsunakawa, Corporate Senior Vice President, Toshiba Corporation and President & CEO, Healthcare Company; Mr. Fumio Otani, Corporate Vice President, Corporate Representative-Asia, Toshiba Corporation and Managing Director, Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.; and Mr. Hirokazu Noguchi, Managing Director, Toshiba Medical Systems Manufacturing Asia Sdn. Bhd.

Commending the initiative, Penang's Chief Minister, Y.A.B Lim Guan Eng said "Penang strives to be a model international and intelligent city where it has become a location of choice for investors and it has grown leaps and bounds over the years to becoming a thriving industrialized state. One of the factors behind the emergence of multinational companies (or MNCs) is the uniqueness of Penang due to its strategic logistics location and availability of human talent. Amongst the new big names to expand their business operations in Penang are Bose, Haemonetics, Sandisk, Citigroup, HP, Seagate and not to mention Toshiba."

TMMA, which began operations in December 2014, is currently producing diagnostic ultrasound systems, while the manufacturing of printed wiring boards to start in March 2015. All production lines will be fully operational from July 2015.

Market research shows that the global diagnostic imaging market is expected to reach USD27 billion by 2018, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.9%. A recent study by Frost & Sullivan announced that the overall ASEAN healthcare market is expected hit USD150 billion by 2017.

Mr. Satoshi Tsunakawa shares that “The healthcare business of Toshiba, in its 100 years’ history, has developed and supplied many world first technologies thanks to the valuable advices and support from our customers. We are very pleased to be able to deliver the latest Ultrasound systems from our new manufacturing site in Malaysia.”

The setting up of TMMA in Malaysia reaffirms Toshiba’s commitment to expand its footprints in Southeast Asia. Selecting Malaysia as it healthcare manufacturing base is aligned with the country’s focus on healthcare to be one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) in its Economic Transformation Programme as announced in the Tenth Malaysia Plan. By 2020, the Healthcare NKEA targets the sector to generate RM35.5 billion in Gross National Income (GNI) and create 181,000 new jobs. Coupled with the rapidly growing global demand of quality healthcare facilities, Malaysia is the ideal location as a global logistic hub serving Asia, Europe and Middle East.

TMMA will initially employ 114 people, and expects enhancements to its production systems to create employment further to reach 200 personnel by 2020.

About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and MRI systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation has been providing medical products for over 80 years. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toshiba. Visit Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation's web site at http://www.toshibamedicalsystems.com/.

About Toshiba

Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, "Committed to People, Committed to the Future", Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing "Growth Through Creativity and Innovation", and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live safe, secure and comfortable society. Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today's Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion). To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.