The global pharmaceutical company, B Braun, which runs its Malaysia operation in Bayan Lepas, Penang, will strengthen its presence in the state by expanding its current size – news that will come as a convenient surprise to the Penangites and local job seekers.

The company has recently invested more than RM300 million to acquire a new plot of land for the expansion purpose. The work to build the new facilities will begin soon, with full completion expected within 3 years.

While other manufacturing companies, particularly in electrical and electronic suffer major drops in demand, the pharmaceutical industry maintains its positive growth with increasing orders of medical products and equipment. The industry is also expected to remain resilient even during the economic downturn.

A few weeks ago, another pharmaceutical company, St Jude Medical from the United States, confirmed its plan to invest in Malaysia after launching an RM100 plant site in Penang.

B Braun has been enjoying a brisk of sales and is now making the best out of the versatility of the pharmaceutical market. With the expansion of its facilities, the company expects to increase its production output by 15% per year, particularly its flagship product, intravenous catheters, while at the same time, opening up more job vacancies for the local job seekers.

B Braun is a German-based pharmaceutical firm operating in more than 50 countries worldwide, including in Spain, France, Czech Republic, United States, Italy, Slovakia, Brazil and Malaysia. Altogether, the company employs over 30,000 workers worldwide, with Penang operation backed by 4,700-strong workforce.