Getting to know BP Giam & Ivan Lee: building VHE Asia together
A new facility, a new team and plenty of opportunities ahead. With the launch of VHE Asia in Penang, VHE is taking an important international step. But who are the people helping to turn these ambitions into reality? Meet BP Giam, General Manager, and Ivan Lee, Business Development & Project Manager at VHE Asia.
For BP and Ivan, the joint venture between VHE Industrial Automation and Smartlink Engineering brings together the best of two worlds: VHE’s experience, processes and technical expertise combined with Smartlink’s deep local knowledge of the Asian market, skilled local workforce, and access to a reliable and cost-competitive supplier network across Asia. This combination creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth and comes at the right time.
Closer to customers in Asia
The high-tech and semiconductor industry is growing rapidly in Southeast Asia. More OEMs are expanding their activities in the region, creating new opportunities for VHE and its customers. “There are a lot of opportunities here in Asia,” BP explains. “Having a local presence makes it easier to support customers and build a strong local supply chain.”
VHE Asia will focus on the engineering and assembly of complex cable solutions and electrical modules for the semiconductor and high-tech industry. Ivan sees plenty of potential for growth. “Many OEMs are expanding in Asia, especially in this region. That creates good opportunities for us.”
Learning from each other
Setting up VHE Asia is about much more than opening a facility. It also means transferring knowledge and building a shared way of working.
Several colleagues from Asia are therefore receiving on-the-job training at VHE in Eindhoven. They are learning VHE’s processes and working methods, knowledge they can take back to Penang. For BP, this is an important part of building the new operation. “We have people learning the processes that are already in place in the Netherlands. Having that experience and guidance will help us avoid unnecessary mistakes here.”
But the learning goes both ways. BP has already noticed some differences in the Dutch way of working. The strong focus on documenting agreements, meeting minutes and deadlines stands out to him. He is also impressed by the systems VHE uses to manage its operations. At the same time, BP and Ivan bring something equally valuable: knowledge of Asian customers, suppliers and business culture. “To do business here, you need to understand the local attitude, behaviour and way of working. You need to understand how customers think and work.” It is exactly that exchange of knowledge that makes the partnership valuable: bringing VHE’s expertise to Asia while adding local experience and market knowledge.
One VHE, thousands of kilometres apart
With teams in Eindhoven and Penang, staying connected is essential. BP and Ivan have weekly meetings with their Dutch colleagues, while shorter questions and updates are shared throughout the week. Colleagues from the Netherlands also regularly travel to Asia. The goal is simple: not to create two separate organisations, but to build one VHE team that works together across borders.
Building a new home for VHE Asia
That ambition is also taking shape quite literally. VHE Asia is preparing a new facility of approximately 45,000 square feet (4,180 m²) in Batu Kawan, Penang.
The existing building is currently undergoing a major renovation. A second level is being added, alongside the electrical infrastructure, lighting, offices and other facilities needed for the new operation. New machinery and equipment will also be installed.
The location itself offers another advantage. Batu Kawan is a growing industrial area surrounded by high-tech companies, putting VHE Asia right in the middle of an important ecosystem of customers, suppliers and potential partners.
VHE Asia expects to move into the new facility around the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027.
Ready to build
BP and Ivan know there is plenty of work ahead. The opportunities are there, but VHE Asia will also need to prove itself in a competitive market. The first signs are promising. Discussions with potential customers and projects are already progressing, while the facility and team continue to take shape. For BP and Ivan, this is only the beginning. “By combining the experience of VHE in the Netherlands with the people, knowledge and opportunities in Asia, we are building more than a new facility. We are building the next chapter of VHE together.”
