As global supply chains continue shifting under "China+1" and "Taiwan+1" strategies, Southeast Asia has emerged as a key destination for semiconductor and electronics investment. For Taiwanese power and automation company Delta Electronics, Malaysia is becoming a central part of that regional expansion strategy.
Speaking to DIGITIMES at SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026, Delta Electronics Southeast Asia Solutions Business Vice President Li Li Mow said the company's presence in Southeast Asia has evolved beyond manufacturing into a broader solutions-driven business focused on industrial automation, data centers, building automation, and energy infrastructure.
Malaysia at the center
Malaysia, in particular, is benefiting from the wave of semiconductor and electronics companies relocating or expanding operations across Southeast Asia. As suppliers and ecosystem partners follow these investments, Delta sees an opportunity to support Taiwanese manufacturers entering the Malaysian market with localized expertise and integrated solutions.
Mow said Delta's long experience operating in Southeast Asia has given the company a deeper understanding of local manufacturing challenges, especially in areas such as carbon reduction, digital twins, and smart manufacturing. This experience has enabled Delta to help customers convert manufacturing data into actionable insights, reduce trial-and-error costs, and optimize energy usage with AI-driven systems.
A trusted partner
The company's role has become especially important as more Taiwanese semiconductor and electronics component makers establish operations in Malaysia and Vietnam. According to Mow, Delta has positioned itself as a partner that helps Taiwanese companies adapt more quickly to local operating environments while improving factory efficiency and sustainability.
Singapore: the R&D launchpad
Beyond manufacturing support, Delta is also strengthening its innovation footprint in the region through research and talent development. Singapore has become a major R&D hub for the company due to its concentration of international talent and academic institutions.
Delta recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the National University of Singapore to collaborate on silicon photonics and co-packaged optics technologies, while also maintaining close ties with Nanyang Technological University. Mow said knowledge and experience gained from these Southeast Asian collaborations are shared back with Delta's Taiwan headquarters and global operations to accelerate technology upgrades and deployment.
Malaysia's role set to grow
As geopolitical uncertainty continues reshaping global manufacturing networks, Delta sees Southeast Asia not only as a production base but also as a source of innovation and operational expertise. Malaysia's growing semiconductor ecosystem is expected to play an increasingly important role in that strategy as Delta expands its regional presence and strengthens ties with both customers and research institutions.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
