Dell boosts plant capacity

Dell boosts plant capacity

KUALA LUMPUR (AFX-ASIA): Dell Computer Corp said it will triple its production capacity in Malaysia by opening a second plant in Penang next month.

Dell Asia-Pacific customer centre vice-president Simon Wong declined to reveal the additional investment planned but said the move will give the company "significant space to plan for further expansion over the next three years."

Wong said the U.S. slowdown is not expected to affect Dell's operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dell's existing plant in Penang, which opened in 1995, employs 1,600 workers and produces a wide range of products including notebook and desktop computers.

Wong also said Dell is considering supplying the U.S. market with notebook computers from its Malaysian plant.