Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Japan’s Sumitomo opens third plant in Phnom Penh’s SEZ

Japan’s Sumitomo opens third plant in Phnom Penh’s SEZ

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (SEZ). POST STAFF

Japan’s Sumitomo opens third plant in Phnom Penh’s SEZ

Japanese-owned automotive wiring harness manufacturer Sumi (Cambodia) Wiring Systems Co Ltd has expanded business operations to meet growing demand after a decade of presence in the Kingdom.

Its third rental factory at the 357.3ha Royal Group Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (SEZ) southwest of the capital’s airport has gone online, affirmed a statement posted on the SEZ’s Facebook page on July 20.

“As [an industrial] zone developer, we are proud to witness the constant growth, development, and expansion of Sumi [Cambodia], an investor from Japan, manufacturing wire harnesses for automobiles,” the statement said.

“[Sumi Cambodia] is a member of Sumitomo Wiring Systems group in Japan. This company started their first operation in Royal Group Phnom Penh SEZ in April 2012 and now employs 4,700 Cambodian workers and staff,” it said.

This represents a nearly one-quarter increase from the 3,800 employed almost two years ago, according to a September 1, 2020 report by the SEZ’s operator and developer Phnom Penh SEZ Plc (PPSP), which noted that the 2020 figure had been a threefold jump from 2018.

The statement added that at the beginning of this month, Sumi Cambodia “officially started their operation in a new Built-to-Suit rental factory.

“This Built-to-Suit rental factory is the third project that we built for [the firm]. We are highly honoured to be a part of this expansion process. And we will keep trying our best to support all of our investors in whatever way we can,” it said.

Royal Group Phnom Penh SEZ CEO Hiroshi Uematsu told The Post that Sumi Cambodia’s expansion reflects its commitment as well as public confidence in its operations.

“We are proud to witness the constant growth, development and expansion of their [business] and are highly honoured to be a part of this process,” he said, adding that Sumi Cambodia’s production is exclusively for export – which PPSP previously noted goes to Japan.

Uematsu said that the SEZ now houses 102 tenants and that both the number of staff they employ and the export value of the goods they produce keep trending up, despite Covid-19, a feat he credited to the continuing support of the government and cooperative efforts of the enterprises.

In an earlier interview, Uematsu noted that Sumi Cambodia’s first factory has a 15,500sqm floor area and its second 17,000sqm, both of which are in the SEZ. Its second factory went online in December 2019, which he said doubled the company’s production capacity, without providing more specific data.

Sumi Cambodia was incorporated on June 14, 2011, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

Royal Group Phnom Penh SEZ is the Kingdom’s second-largest industrial zone after Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone and is located in Kambol district’s Kantaok commune on the western outskirts of the capital.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • PM warns of int’l election interference

    With the national election scheduled to take place in less than two months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned foreign nations and their diplomats not to interfere into Cambodia’s domestic affairs. He also hinted that their statements on court verdicts handed down to any