Smartlink Engineering, a trusted Tier-1 supplier with over 20 years of experience in Southeast Asia, today announced a strategic joint venture with VHE Industrial Automation, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The new entity, **VHE Asia Sdn. Bhd.** , will operate from Penang, Malaysia, specializing in the engineering and assembly of complex cables, cable bundles, and electrical modules for OEMs in the semiconductor and other high-tech industries.
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.
Strengthening Regional and Global Capabilities
This joint venture reflects Smartlink Engineering’s continued commitment to delivering world-class, scalable solutions closer to key markets. By combining Smartlink’s strong local engineering expertise with VHE’s advanced European technologies and established customer relationships, VHE Asia is positioned to meet the increasingly complex and high-precision demands of global customers.
For Smartlink Engineering, which already has a presence in the European market, this partnership further deepens its European footprint while enhancing global supply chain capabilities. Customers will benefit from improved supply chain resilience, shorter lead times, and consistent quality aligned with international standards, including cleanroom-ready production.
Leadership Perspectives
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. 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.”
Smartlink Engineering’s Role as Sponsor
Smartlink Engineering is proud to sponsor this announcement, reaffirming its dedication to driving innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value for global customers. With VHE Asia now operational in Penang, Smartlink Engineering continues to strengthen its position as a preferred partner for high-precision solutions in the semiconductor and high-tech supply chain.
About Smartlink Engineering
Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Smartlink Engineering is a trusted Tier-1 supplier with over 20 years of experience serving the semiconductor and high-tech sectors across Southeast Asia and Europe. The company specializes in precision engineering, complex cable assemblies, and electrical modules, delivering world-class solutions with a focus on quality, innovation, and supply chain resilience.
About VHE Industrial Automation
Based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, VHE Industrial Automation provides advanced engineering and assembly solutions for complex cable systems and electrical modules, serving high-tech OEMs primarily in the semiconductor industry.