MNR Technology, the US-based leading designer of human machine interface (HMI) and interactive systems and components, has opened a new office in Penang, Malaysia to manage manufacturing projects across Southeast Asia to insulate customers from global tariffs on China-manufactured goods and supply-chain uncertainty.
The 33-year-old New Hampshire firm is behind some of the most advanced HMI components, including IP67 keypads, controllers, and rugged connectors used across many sectors including marine, security, medical, and aviation.
Clients include global telecoms, defense and electronics firms, and their designs and components are found in many leading-edge products such as marine and aircraft controls, cell phones, security systems, fire access panels, and payment terminals.
The investment sees experienced product development leader Ashley Sayed, originally from the UK, appointed to lead the newly launched SE Asia office. The move broadens MNR’s ability to manufacture with specialist capabilities across the region, particularly Malaysia, where the new office is located, as well as Vietnam.
“Our design office is here in the US, but our clients want more choice of high-quality manufacturing locations, especially outside China. There are world leading centers of advanced manufacturing right across the 11 Southeast Asian countries that are now an attractive alternative to Chinese locations,” commented Chris Wolfe, President and Founder of MNR Technology.
“US and European clients, including defense, marine, and aviation leaders, need the agility of MNR’s design innovation, as well as the manufacturing quality and confidence that the products originate outside China in order to ensure better control of production and lower future risks of tariff and embargoes,” he added.
MNR has manufactured their traditional range of products outside China for some years following the global tariff changes and supply-chain disruption caused by the global pandemic. These products include compression molded silicon rubber components, cable assemblies, CNC products, plastic injection molding parts, PCBs, PCB assemblies, and touch screen and display assemblies.
The new MNR Malaysia base has also expanded this capability to enable their range of products designed and made in the region to include adhesives and sealants, hydration systems for motorsports and medical applications, fabric-based products, water fabrication, prototyping and precision cleaning products.