UWC Holdings thrives using cutting edge technology

Penang-based Unique Wire Cut Holdings (UWC) was founded over twenty years ago in Malaysia. Although the company originally started out as a trading company that sold wire cutting machines, the current business covers much wider areas of interest. However, through hard work, a clear vision and perseverance, the company a true success story. Currently, UWC specialises in the creation of top of the line electro mechanical parts, precision components, and sheet metal fabrication for a number of industries both on Malaysia’s shores and beyond.

UWC is currently led by its two founders: Dato’ Ng Chai Eng and Lau Chee Kheong. Dato’ Ng and Lau both have a wealth of experience working with and for multinational corporations and therefore operate their company with the utmost care and quality that is only expected by the most successful multinationals. Under the helm of Dato’ Ng and Lau, the company has expanded to include a whopping five subsidiaries: technology, healthcare, electric, automation, and industrial.

The company has gone to achieve ISO 9001:2008, ISO 13485:2003, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO 9002 certifications. Furthermore they were awarded a Certificate of Achievement at the Enterprise 50 Aware Programme 2008 and a Certificate of Recognition (Golden Award) by Top 50 Team at the Enterprise Awards Malaysia 2007.

The Malaysian-run company believes that one of their unique selling points is that 90% of the job process is completed within the company (starting from assembly to the finished product, after the purchasing of the raw materials and the finishing of the final product). UWC sees themselves as a “one-stop solution centre”, and this is good news for clients as it allows the clients to save costs and save time.

A global presence

Although UWC is based in Malaysia, they export their products to Europe (such as France and Switzerland), Australia, Asia (including Hong Kong and India), and the United States. The industries that UWC supplies to include, but are not limited to, the elevator and escalator industries, automation and engineering industries, telecommunication industries, semiconductor industries, medical and healthcare industries, and security industries.

Despite the recent recession, the biggest market for the company remains to be the United States. Thankfully, fluctuations in the economic climate don’t impact UWC’s performance greatly since they have a diversified portfolio and Dato’ Ng foresees that the company will perform even better in the United States as the market recovers.

Staying on top of the curve

Despite the company’s success, however, Dato’ Ng believes that the biggest threat to their company comes from within. He believes that transformation is critical to the survival of their company. Says Dato’ Ng, “Either you move up, or you move out”. This reality has seen itself in the continuous upgrading of machines as well as acquiring and improving high-skilled workers.

This “change or die” attitude was seen at the very start of UWC, when they adapted to include more services to remain competitive. One of the company’s core beliefs is that transformation, diversification, and continued improvement is the only way to survive in the global market place.

In 1994, the company started upgrading their machines to computer numerical control (CNC) for punching, laser cutting, bending, grinding, turning, and milling. With these much needed upgrades, the company was able to provide more value added services to their clients.

UWC started with metal fabrication of individual parts, and eventually went into sub-assembly and slowly ventured into turnkey assembly. By doing so, the company became an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) company. From here, it aims to transform into an original design manufacturing (ODM) company, with a heavy focus on medical equipment.

The Penang-based company maintains the belief that when it comes to high value added manufacturing, full automation is not possible. During the manufacturing processes, there are many complicated and high tech parts which demand the knowledge and abilities of highly skilled workers who are on thinking on the ground. Another strategy of UWC is to maintain an elite team of engineers with a knowledgeable and capable chief engineer to command leadership. Only with this can they continue to manufacture high value added products with perfection and quality. Along with high quality tools, UWC Holdings believes in constant employee training so that the manufacturing processes are kept up-to-date and quality standards are maintained.

Laser cutting machines in UWC’s success

UWC currently utilises four Bystronic machines on its production floor. They have three laser cutting machines (Bystar 4020_6.0kW) and one bending machine (Xcel 50x1600). When the machines were first purchased and installed, they were seamlessly incorporated into the production floor. The company was pleased to find that the management and workers did not find it hard to learn and operate the new machines as they found the software to be user-friendly and easy to maintain. Furthermore, UWC Holdings’ workers could independently operate a machine, without encountering any significant problems.

Despite the thickness of the materials that they work with, the company reaps the benefits of the fast cutting speed of the machines. They appreciate that the laser cutting machines complete any given task very quickly, especially when compared to punching, as there is no need for tooling preparations. Like many companies that aim to be at top of their game, UWC Holdings strives to be different. Having more powerful cutting tools allows UWC Holdings to provide unique and exclusive solutions to its customers.