Juniper
AmBank Group recently celebrated the ingenuity and resilience of some of Malaysia’s best innovators as they announced the Top 3 winners of AmBank BizRACE Season 4 at an Awards Ceremony at Menara Ken, TTDI. With 1,000 companies vying for the top honours, this year’s competition was a showcase of remarkable leadership in growth, innovation, and sustainability, focusing on critical themes such as Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). The Final Pitch allowed participants to deep dive into their 12–18-month business strategy and projected impact in adopting these themes.
The Top 3 Winners, who stood out for their groundbreaking strategies and contributions to the industry, are:
- Champion: Emerging victorious, Sydney Cake House Sdn Bhd demonstrated a pioneering spirit and an exceptional commitment to embracing IR4.0 and ESG principles. The company impressed the judges with its advancements in adopting IR4.0 innovations, building on initial steps taken in 2014. Through the competition, they showcased the implementation of digital inventory management, smart factory systems, and a waste heat recovery system, resulting in over a 70 per cent reduction in wastage.
- First Runner-Up: Diverse Integrated Sdn Bhd,
was recognised for its innovative approach to developing sustainable wood solutions for the construction industry. The company has embraced IR4.0 and ESG by adopting electric vehicle (EV) forklifts, utilising solar energy, and implementing sustainable waste management practices, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
- Second Runner-Up: BloomThis Flora Sdn Bhd was recognised for their effective use of AI Data Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and visualisation tools to enhance their on-demand e-commerce operations. As part of their commitment to sustainability, BloomThis also installed solar panels at their warehouse facilities. These initiatives have driven impressive financial growth, with profits increasing fivefold over the past four years..
Christopher Yap, Managing Director, Business Banking, AmBank Group said, “Our Top 3 Winners represent the pinnacle of innovation and progress. Throughout this season, we witnessed incredible passion, growth potential and scalability from many of our participants, demonstrating their readiness to adopt IR4.0 and ESG principles. By working closely with our programme partners, we intend to continue to design impactful programmes to empower businesses. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our winners and hope to inspire other manufacturers to pursue innovation and sustainable growth.”
Darren Chan, Managing Director and CEO of Bosch Rexroth Malaysia, said, “It has been truly inspiring to witness the creativity and commitment demonstrated by all the participating businesses during the final pitch. The innovative ideas and determination to pushing boundaries are a testament to the immense potential in Malaysia. We’re proud to support AmBank BizRACE and remain committed to fostering collaborations that turn ideas into impactful solutions. We look forward to continuing this journey of growth and innovation together.”
Ir Ts Shamsul Bahar bin Mohd Nor, Group CEO of Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation, also shared, “We are proud to partner with AmBank BizRACE Season 4, a programme that highlights the extraordinary potential of Malaysian business to champion both innovation and sustainability. The outstanding achievements of the Top 3 finalists exemplify the transformative power of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. These companies have demonstrated remarkable innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability, setting a new standard for excellence in the manufacturing sector. This initiative complements our mission to empower businesses to contribute meaningfully
to Malaysia’s transition to a greener, more resilient economy. Congratulations to the winners for their inspiring achievements, which pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous future”.
Max Lee, CEO of Pantas, said, “The AmBank BizRACE has been a pivotal step for these businesses in preparing for international expansion. By leveraging Pantas’ carbon management and ESG platform, they efficiently measure and monitor their Scope 1 and 2 emissions, track key ESG indicators, and automate reporting – boosting both their sustainability performance and competitive edge in global markets. Sustainability and ESG practices are now critical drivers of growth and we are proud to help these businesses unlock opportunities, meet international expectations and position themselves as industry leaders.”
The total prize value this season amounts to RM2,000,000, which comprises development programmes centred around IR4.0 and ESG workshops, one-to-one consultations and coaching, Green, Carbon Management & ESG Solutions, and on-site factory assessments by industry specialists from Bosch Rexroth, MGTC, as well as Pantas Software. The Top 3 winners will receive a sponsored Innovation Trip scheduled to take place in 2025.
