SHAH ALAM: Panasonic will progressively cease operations at its Panasonic AVC Networks Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PAVCKM) factory in Shah Alam by March 2027 as part of a global manufacturing reorganisation, with about 400 employees expected to be affected.
The Japanese electronics manufacturer said television production at the Shah Alam facility will end by September 2026. Meanwhile, production of Blu-ray Disc players will be transferred to China Hualu Panasonic AVC Networks Co Ltd, and Technics-branded Hi-Fi audio products will be shifted to another Panasonic Group company after manufacturing in Malaysia ends by February 2027, The Rakyat Post reported on Wednesday.
"As a result of this reorganisation, PAVCKM will cease operations, with approximately 400 employees expected to be affected by the end of March 2027," the company said in a statement.
Panasonic said it is working with relevant authorities, government agencies, and the Electrical Industry Workers' Union (EIWU) to support affected employees, including job placement assistance and career transition programmes.
The company added that Malaysia remains one of its key regional hubs and reaffirmed its commitment to continued investment in the country, where the Panasonic Group employs about 12,000 people across high-value manufacturing, research and development, and corporate functions.
The announcement comes as government data showed that 42,807 people lost their jobs nationwide between January and June 12 this year, including 17,485 workers (40.85 per cent) retrenched due to business closures and company downsizing.
