Sirim's NEW TDM Project to advance digital manufacturing

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia's tool, die and mould (TDM) industry is set to enter a new phase of digital transformation and global competitiveness with the launch of NEW TDM Project next month.

Implemented under the 13th Malaysia Plan and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, the initiative aims to strengthen the TDM ecosystem through digital engineering, talent development and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The project builds on capability and capacity gains achieved under TDM 2.0, which ran from 2022 to this year, and is expected to help TDM companies move further up the manufacturing value chain.

This will help firms develop more sophisticated tooling solutions and compete more effectively in regional and global markets.

Sirim president and group chief executive officer Nik Sazali Nik Hussin said TDM 2.0 laid a strong foundation for the industry, while the NEW TDM Project would accelerate its transformation.

"Our ambition is to move beyond 'Made in Malaysia' towards 'Designed, Engineered and Made in Malaysia'," he said at the Appreciation Nite and Award Presentation for the TDM 2.0 Project on Friday.

The NEW TDM Project will focus on three areas: a digital platform for 3D design based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform; talent development covering 3D design, digital engineering, CAD/CAM/CAE and advanced manufacturing; and, capability development aimed at strengthening the ability of companies to deliver advanced tooling solutions.

"Through these initiatives, the project seeks to support the progressive development of TDM companies, from preferred suppliers to original equipment manufacturers, to strategic suppliers for Tier 1 companies and ultimately to globally recognised TDM solution providers."

On TDM 2.0, Nik Sazali said the programme concluded a significant phase of industry development, with 36 beneficiary companies completing its three core components, covering coaching and certification, design capability development and equipment acquisition.

TDM 2.0 delivered measurable improvements across participating firms. Overall, 88 per cent of the companies increased their production capacity, recording an average surge of 164 per cent.

A total of 77 per cent reduced their overall lead time, achieving an average reduction of 29 per cent.

The programme also supported product diversification, with 70 per cent of participating companies introducing new product lines, averaging an increase of 12 product lines per firm.

The participating companies contributed RM292 million in gross value added in 2024 alone.

Nik Sazali said that TDM was
not merely a supporting industry, but a core industrial foundation on
which manufacturing capability was built.

"A country may attract an automotive plant, an aerospace manufacturer, an electronics factory or a medical device producer.

"But if the critical tooling, dies and moulds required by those industries continue to be designed, engineered and manufactured somewhere else, then a significant portion of the value chain remains outside the country."

He added that localising TDM capabilities was essential to capturing greater economic value within Malaysia.

"It is not localisation for localisation's sake.

"It is about capturing more value in Malaysia, strengthening our domestic supply chains, developing Malaysian engineering capability and creating higher-value jobs for Malaysians."