UB Group Spearheads Semiconductor and Warehouse Automation Advancements as Authorized NTIC Centre of Excellence Provider

The official launch of the NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) in Bayan Lepas, Penang. The ceremony was graced by Minister of Economy YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Haji Mohd Nasir [R5] and Penang Exco for Trade and Community Unity YB Tuan Goh Choon Aik [L5], alongside UB Group Chairman BC Tan [Center] and ecosystem partners.

BAYAN LEPAS, PENANG –The landscape of advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technology in Malaysia requires tight collaboration between government frameworks, research institutes, and technology partners. At the recent official launch of the NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) and the newly established Advanced Packaging Institute and Research Centre (APIRC) in Bayan Lepas, Penang, the industry witnessed a clear roadmap for this integration.

UB Group (United BC Team Sdn. Bhd.) participated in the landmark event, with Chairman BC Tan joining industry leaders, dignitaries, and ecosystem partners to support this national initiative aimed at strengthening Malaysia's innovation pipeline. The launch was graced by YB Tuan Haji Akmal Nasrullah bin Haji Mohd Nasir, Minister of Economy, and YB Tuan Goh Choon Aik, Penang Exco for Trade and Community Unity.

A central milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) and APIRC. This strategic agreement targets the development of 12 local companies and aims to attract RM8.5 billion in investments by 2030. Driven by APIRC, the NTIC serves as the core engine supporting advanced semiconductor packaging capabilities and accelerating technology commercialization. Within this framework, UB Group—alongside regional partners such as Silicon Connect and Trinity—contributes specialized expertise in automation, digitalization, and intelligent material flow technologies to build future-ready manufacturing lines.

Incorporating New Operational Value as an Authorized CoE Provider

Beyond ecosystem collaboration, the launch highlights direct commercial and technical value for regional enterprises. UB Group has been formally appointed by NCIA as an authorized Centre of Excellence (CoE) Provider under the active NTIC framework.

This designation positions UB Group’s engineering facilities, simulation infrastructures, and subject matter experts as shared resources for the region. Local manufacturing, assembly, and warehousing operations can leverage this technical infrastructure to design, validate, and scale their processes.

To lower the financial barriers associated with Industry 4.0 migration, companies engaging UB Group's services can tap into a structured 50:50 matching grant capped at RM100,000 per project. This government-sanctioned financial mechanism allows local enterprises to optimize capital expenditure while systematically upgrading physical and digital workflows.

The grant funding maps directly to the specialized technical solutions provided by UB Group:

• Advanced Warehouse Automation & Intralogistics: The design and deployment of vertical lifters, intelligent material routing paths, and automated storage retrieval systems (ASRS) to maximize floor density and eliminate manual handling bottlenecks.

• Smart Manufacturing Integration: The implementation of automated transport links and intelligent material flow technologies to stabilize throughput on the production floor.

• Engineering Consultancy & Process Optimization: Data-driven assessments of factory layouts, cycle times, and facility workflows to drive operational efficiency.

• Proof-of-Concept (POC) Development: Vetted technical simulations and hardware prototyping designed to de-risk technological implementation before full-scale deployment.

  
  

Financial Viability and Ecosystem Alignment

The availability of the NTIC grant framework shifts the conversation from standard technology procurement to de-risked corporate transformation. Local Micro, SMEs, and Large Local Companies operating within the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER)—specifically Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perlis, and Perak—are eligible to utilize this framework. Under active guidelines, CoE Users can deploy the matching subsidy for a maximum of one (1) automation or engineering project per calendar year.

By linking advanced engineering capability directly with national financial incentives, the initiative ensures that local manufacturers can adopt sustainable, automated, and data-driven infrastructures. This technical evolution supports broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) mandates by improving energy efficiency, reducing operational waste, and upgrading local workforce capabilities. Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/06/1459636/northern-tech-centre-targets-rm85bil-investments-boost-semiconductor https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/806485 https://www.ncer.com.my/invest-in-ncer/ecosystem-support-incentives/ncer-technology-innovation-centre/centre-of-excellence