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Fourth edition of Intelligent Manufacturing Kuala Lumpur concludes, exploring the roadmap for digital transformation in ASEAN

Intelligent Manufacturing Kuala Lumpur (IMKL) concluded its fourth edition on 15 May 2026, closing to positive feedback from industry participants. Themed “Beyond Automation: Your Roadmap for Human-Centric Digital Transformation”, the three-day event ran from 13 – 15 May, uniting industry experts, business leaders, academics and policymakers to examine the pathways available to ASEAN manufacturers pursuing digital transformation.

Across its sessions, speakers and contributors shared case studies and practical guidance on technologies including agentic manufacturing, industrial 5G and humanoid robots. Discussions also addressed AI transformation and the investment and adoption considerations manufacturers face on the path to digitalisation.

IMKL 2025 at a glance

What is Intelligent Manufacturing Kuala Lumpur (IMKL)?

Intelligent Manufacturing Kuala Lumpur is a conference-led event for businesses of all sizes that want to learn about and take advantage of the digital transformation in manufacturing. Attendees will gain valuable insights from experts on smart factory solutions, predictive maintenance, and more. This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the manufacturing industry. Let's explore the opportunities!

Participants' comments about the event

“My key message for manufacturers throughout ASEAN is this: follow what is happening in smart manufacturing internationally, but first assess your own production needs and only adopt what you can truly handle. It is important to have the right knowledge and people to manage this transformation, to become part of the global network and to prepare for what is ahead. Delivering the keynote at IMKL, I was pleased to see such an engaged audience, with many positive reactions and clear interest in these discussions.”

"IMKL provides a meaningful platform to connect industry thought leaders, manufacturers, system integrators and solution providers. This is the kind of ecosystem that I believe can help drive industry transformation forward. Many manufacturers are not sure where to start or how to sustain their digital transformation initiatives, and this is where IMKL can motivate them to take the next step."

"IMKL has had a strong edition this year, with many players from across the industry present. I could see the audience actively listening and taking notes during the conference sessions. The discussions covered where the industry is heading and what manufacturers are facing on the shop floor, including ROI in digitalisation and Industry 4.0 and 5.0. For me, the key message is that digitalisation must integrate people, process and technology as one. I would encourage more SMEs to come on board, tap into this platform and work with business partners to bring new solutions to their factory floors."

"What I appreciate about IMKL is that it is not only about sharing theories or concepts. It combines conference discussions and showcases where vendors demonstrate real-life, practical solutions that business users and industry players can actually adopt. Even as a speaker, I came away with useful insights to bring into my own work. IMKL is also a great platform to meet industry players who share the same mindset, because digital transformation is not a journey we take alone."

“Speaking at IMKL for the first time, I was amazed by how many manufacturers came together from different industries and sectors, sharing ideas and learning from one another. What I appreciate most about the show is its focus on technical expertise in smart manufacturing rather than sales talk. Presenters, myself included, shared how things work practically and from our own experience, so others in the industry can implement the same techniques."

"IMKL is one of the big names in industrial events. It is well-recognised in the industry, and from my experience, a great platform for generating new leads. Customers come to ask about our products, explore reseller opportunities and discuss collaborations with us. Having both a booth and a speaking slot at the Tech Lab have also been valuable, as I could point people directly to our booth after my presentation. This is why it is one of those events we won’t miss every year."

“At IMKL, we showcased two humanoid robots and two quadruped robots, which drew a lot of attention from visitors. For many, it was their first time seeing humanoid robots up close. Demonstrations of remote operation, inspection and detection showed how the robots can be used in practice. Visitors came from manufacturing, semiconductors, academia and government-related sectors, and many conversations turned to proof of concept, deployment and how the robots could fit into different working environments."

“At IMKL, we took part in SPS Stage Kuala Lumpur to introduce our Italian MES and OEE solution to the Malaysian market. Software is often seen as a luxury in manufacturing; factory owners may spend millions on machines because the output is visible, but they cannot see the impact of software until they adopt and use it. Through my Tech Lab talk, I wanted to open up that conversation. We also met visitors from the semiconductor and electronics sectors and left with customer demos booked and discussions underway."

“The sessions on the journey from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, and how the two connect, were particularly interesting. For timber companies, these insights can help them look at their own transformation journey, from mindset and talent to digitalisation, and decide how to move forward. I am also looking forward to the breakout session to hear whether other sectors are facing similar challenges, and whether there may be common solutions."

“IMKL has been a good experience for exploring AI, generative AI and current industry trends. The sessions are informative and relevant to my work on the production line, especially when it comes to reducing waste, processing time and downtime. I am looking at the AI agent concept with integrated AI, and my plan is to implement AI agents into our system to monitor processes and optimise production parameters. I also see this supporting the move from paper checklists towards more data-driven decision making."

“IMKL showed me how far new technologies are advancing around the world, including in Europe and other markets. That international perspective was the main reason I attended. The speakers were very knowledgeable, and I believe that if we want to improve, we need to learn from experts. For industries such as furniture, the challenge is often the cost of transformation and implementation, but the event helped clarify how we can move forward with technologies such as IoT, open-source ERP and AI."

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