For over 40 years, Sapura Industrial Berhad (SIB) has been a quiet but steady force in Malaysia’s automotive story, powering everything from the first Proton Saga in the mid-1980s to today’s most advanced hybrid and electric vehicles. 

Now, the company is preparing for its next chapter: a future defined by electrification, precision, and global partnerships.

A legacy of trust and technical mastery

Founded as a coil spring manufacturer to support Malaysia’s first national car, SIB has grown into the country’s largest producer of coil springs and stabiliser bars, and the only high-volume machining specialist serving both local and international carmakers. Its components sit in over 80 percent of vehicles on Malaysian roads – from local brands to foreign marques.

But Datuk Syed Izuan Jamalullail, SIB’s Managing Director, was quick to stress that longevity alone was not what kept the company ahead. 

“For the past 40 years, our success has always been about trust - building and maintaining it through quality, reliability, and innovation,” he said.

That trust was anchored in collaboration. SIB had long worked alongside original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on research and development (R&D), co-developing components like braking systems and stabiliser bars. 

Its teams were also embedding artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and augmented reality (AR) into production lines, pushing machining precision down to a remarkable 10 microns – finer than a human hair.

“Japanese manufacturers taught us the importance of consistency and experience,” Syed Izuan explained. “Now, we’re applying those lessons in a digital era, modernising how we test, measure, and manufacture.”

Preparing for an electric tomorrow

While many suppliers are still figuring out how to adapt to the electric vehicle (EV) shift, SIB is already hands-on. Through its subsidiary MILI EV Hybrid, the company launched the MILI New Energy Battery Centre in July this year to refurbish xEV batteries, a segment expected to expand rapidly as hybrid and electric vehicles in Malaysia reach their end-of-warranty phase.

The move signals SIB’s readiness to support the full EV ecosystem, from components and manufacturing to after-sales and sustainability services.

“Batteries form a substantial cost in an EV car,” he said. “Servicing them requires a new kind of workforce – engineers and technicians who understand electronics and energy systems, not just engines and oil.”

To build this expertise, SIB collaborates with local universities and training centres, equipping young Malaysians with the skills to service next-generation vehicles. The aim, Syed Izuan said, was to align Malaysia’s workforce with the government’s target for 20 percent of total vehicle registrations to be electric by 2030 – a key milestone under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

Malaysia–China collaboration

SIB’s forward momentum is also fuelled by international collaboration, notably with Zhejiang Zhongze Precision Technology (ZZ Tech), a leading Chinese manufacturer of battery components. This partnership marked ZZ Tech’s first overseas expansion, and Malaysia’s growing reputation as a manufacturing hub made SIB the natural choice.

Together, they have set up a new factory in Gurun, Kedah, to produce structural battery components for energy storage systems (ESS) – a critical part of the global renewable energy supply chain.

“Energy storage is the business of the future,” said Syed Izuan. “It’s about capturing energy from the sun during the day and storing it for later use – whether that’s for homes, factories, or vehicles.”

For now, the Gurun facility will export 100 percent of its output, but the implications for Malaysia are significant: knowledge transfer, advanced manufacturing practices, and a blueprint for future EV supply-chain localisation.

Diversification with purpose

Even as SIB expands into EVs, its diversification remains anchored in what it knows best – precision manufacturing. 

“When we talk about diversification, it’s not about moving away from our DNA,” Syed Izuan explained. “It’s about applying our strengths to new verticals.”

That includes exploring component production for medical devices and even aerospace, both sectors that demand the same exacting standards SIB is known for. The company also continues to invest in solar energy systems at its facilities, aligning its operations with Malaysia’s sustainability goals under the NETR 2030.

Beyond business strategy, SIB sees diversification as a chance to empower Malaysians. Continuous training and re-skilling are embedded in its culture. 

“We want our people to evolve with the company – to see how far they’ve grown in their skills and confidence over time,” he added.

GATE 2025: A window into Malaysia’s manufacturing future

SIB’s next big stage will be the Global Automotive and Technology Expo (GATE) 2025, where it plans to showcase both heritage and innovation.

Visitors can expect to see live demonstrations of battery refurbishment for hybrid and EV cars, displays of energy-storage components, and dialogues with SIB’s engineers about how Malaysia can accelerate its EV ecosystem.

More than an exhibition booth, SIB’s presence will serve as an open invitation for potential partners, investors, and policymakers to see how Malaysian companies are contributing to the global mobility transition.

“We’re not just here to show what we’ve made,” said Syed Izuan. “We’re here to collaborate, to meet those who share our vision for sustainable, intelligent manufacturing.”

Grounded in values, geared for the future

As SIB looks toward its next decade, Syed Izuan remained grounded in the company’s founding values: humility, integrity, and continuous innovation. “Technology evolves, markets shift, but values must stay constant,” he said.

He described the years ahead as a journey – one that would carry SIB from being a trusted local manufacturer to a global partner in advanced mobility and precision engineering. 

“Our biggest challenge is making sure our people adapt to change and embrace it,” he said. “If we can do that, we can achieve anything.”

From its roots in Malaysia’s first national car to its role in the electric and energy-storage future, SIB’s journey reflects the evolution of an industry – and a country – that is resilient, adaptive and forward-looking.

Visit SIB’s booth at the Global Automative and Technology Expo (GATE Expo 2025), Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Nov 12-14, 2025.