Press Metal, a Malaysia-based aluminium company, has grown from a local aluminium extrusion business in 1986 to a world-class producer, supplying to technology giants, high-speed train manufacturers, innovative product designers, and prominent food and beverage brands. Its operations span Malaysia, Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.
Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2023, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and PMB Aluminium Sdn. Bhd. (PMBA), a subsidiary of Press Metal International Ltd. (PMI), have enjoyed a strong collaborative relationship. This partnership has enabled industrial talks, staff attachments, student internships, and academic and research collaborations. The collaboration gained momentum in April 2024, when Mr. Lim Heng Kam, COO at PMBA and Executive Director at PMI, addressed UTM students on aligning their skills with industry needs. Subsequently, UTM students undertook internships at PMI from July to October 2024.
To build on this partnership, a special industrial visit to PMI was organized from October 13 to 16, 2024. The delegation included Associate Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Nurulakmar Abu Husain, Dean of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and Head of Delegation; Professor Ts. Dr. Intan Zaurah Mat Darus, Chair of the UTM Undergraduate School (UGS); and Dr. Suhaila Mohamad Yusuf, Director of the UTM Career Center (UTMCC).
PMI’s management team warmly welcomed the delegation. Lim Heng Kam greeted the delegates virtually, while Chong Siew Moon, Chief Financial Officer, provided a detailed business overview. This was followed by presentations on PMI’s manufacturing capabilities and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) achievements, underscoring their commitment to research and sustainability.
A comprehensive factory tour offered UTM delegates firsthand insight into PMI’s manufacturing processes, including billet casting, extrusion, anodizing, and electric vehicle (EV) battery tray fabrication. The tour also highlighted PMI’s digital transformation efforts to enhance production efficiency and transparency. Additionally, the UTM team visited PMI’s ISO 17025-certified testing laboratory and Die Making Centre, reinforcing PMI’s reputation for delivering high-quality, globally recognized products.
This industrial visit enriched the academic-industry relationship and laid the groundwork for future collaborations, including potential joint research projects, international internships, and premium graduate employment initiatives. The growing UTM-Press Metal partnership promises mutual benefits and further contributions to the aluminium and education sectors, exemplifying the importance of industry-academia partnerships in driving innovation, skills development, and knowledge sharing.
