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Agilent to mass-produce new test devices in H2 PDF Print E-mail

By David Tan, The Star

August 18, 2010

 

It spent three years to develop three next generation equipment

GEORGE TOWN: Agilent Technologies Malaysia will commercialise the mass production of the next generation of test and measurement devices in the second half of the year to cater to a market estimated at about US$39bil this year.

Agilent president Gooi Soon Chai told StarBiz that the group had undertaken the research and development of these test devices for consumer electronic, telecommunication, and life science devices that were getting smaller in size, since three to four years ago.

“These test and measurement instruments that we are making in Penang, have capabilities to measure performance, signals, and characteristics of integrated circuits (ICs) and silicon wafer registered below the nano-scale.

aglient goh

We are now working with at least 1,000 small and medium-sized electronics and precision tooling companies« AGILENT PRESIDENT GOOI SOON CHAI

“Some of the key consumer electronic products that require our test and measurement instruments include LED television sets, 4G long-term evolution technology, tablet PCs, and life sciences products such as liquid chromatographs,” he said.

Gooi said for the fiscal year ending October 2010, the group expected Asia-Pacific to generate about 40% of its test and measurement instruments’ sales while the balance by the United States and Europe.

For its 2009 fiscal year ended Oct 31, Agilent’s test and measurement instrument business accounted for US$4.5bil in sales.

Gooi said there were 1,000 engineers working on these new test and measurement instruments, of which 500 were engaged in research and development work.

“We are now working with at least 1,000 small and medium-sized electronics and precision tooling companies located mostly in Penang and Johor on this new range of test and measurement instruments. This creates a lot of high-income jobs for them,” he said.

To introduce its customers to these new products, Agilent went on a road-show three months ago to countries such as China, Taiwan, South Korea, and India.

On the worldwide shortage of electronic components, Gooi said Agilent was not immune to the worldwide shortage of parts.

“We work closely with suppliers to minimise the impact to our customers, which includes looking for alternate sourcing,” he said.