KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia & EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - May 6, 2026 - Smartlink Engineering, a leading Tier-1 supplier headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, today announced that it has entered into a strategic joint venture with VHE Industrial Automation, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, to form VHE Asia Sdn. Bhd. The official signing ceremony took place at the Semicon South-East Asia Tradeshow in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Michiel Sweers, Director General for Foreign Economic Relations, and Jaap Werner, Dutch Ambassador to Malaysia.
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As the driving force behind this initiative, Smartlink Engineering is proud to sponsor this announcement, underscoring its commitment to delivering world-class engineering, assembly, and supply chain solutions for OEMs in the semiconductor and other high-tech industries. Operating from Penang, Malaysia, VHE Asia will specialize in complex cables, cable bundles, and electrical modules, combining Smartlink’s deep local expertise with advanced European technologies.
This partnership aligns with Smartlink’s strategic vision to strengthen its already-established presence in the European market while expanding its global capabilities. By joining forces with VHE Industrial Automation, Smartlink enhances its ability to offer customers enhanced supply chain resilience, shorter lead times, and consistent quality that meets international standards—all while leveraging VHE’s relationships with leading European OEMs to accelerate international growth.
For VHE Industrial Automation, the joint venture responds to growing customer demand for localized support in Southeast Asia. For Smartlink Engineering, this collaboration solidifies its position as a preferred partner for high-precision solutions, combining strong regional engineering with access to a high-value European customer ecosystem.
TF Choong, Managing Director of Smartlink Engineering, commented:
“This joint venture marks an important milestone in Smartlink Engineering’s growth journey. By combining our strong local engineering capabilities with VHE’s advanced European technologies and deep industry expertise, we are well-positioned to meet the increasingly complex and high-precision demands of global customers. While we have already established a presence in the European market, this collaboration further strengthens and deepens our position, enabling us to deliver greater value through innovation, quality, and operational excellence. The establishment of VHE Asia creates a strong platform for future growth, enabling both companies to support customers with enhanced supply chain resilience, shorter lead times, and consistent quality aligned with international standards.”
Joop Essing, CEO of VHE Industrial Automation B.V., added:
“Smartlink Engineering is a well-established Tier 1 supplier for the semiconductor and other high-tech markets, with more than 20 years of experience in Southeast Asia. From the moment I met TF Choong last year and visited Smartlink’s facilities, I was impressed by the team’s capabilities and the high-profile customers they serve. We immediately established a strong connection, which is essential when starting a company across different continents. By forming this joint venture, we ensure that we have the right technical capabilities and scale to serve major customers from day one.”
Through this sponsored announcement, Smartlink Engineering reaffirms its dedication to driving innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value for global customers. With VHE Asia now operational in Penang, both companies are poised to deliver superior solutions that meet the evolving needs of the semiconductor and high-tech industries worldwide.