An artist impression of one of the factory designs within the park.

Problem-solution approach puts them on the forefront

When Seri Pajam Development decided to venture into industrial development, they came across some scepticism. This wasn't the first time the property developer encountered public doubt. Yet, they have consistently taken great pleasure in proving their detractors wrong, delivering one successful project after another time and again.

Delving into their humble beginning as a contractor, Seri Pajam Development chief executive officer Thomas Ten Wee Seong said they started off building houses and shophouses. Over time, they were appointed as a main contractor for Bandar Baru Nilai.

“Since then, we have accumulated a lot of experience. We have built hotels in Seremban and Nilai, earth dams, works on the ERL (Express Rail Link) and many others. These experiences propel the company to what it is today.

“Many people assume that Seri Pajam Development started in Pajam and that all our projects are based there. However, Pajam was actually our third project. We began in Nilai, then expanded to Bahau and have since continued to spread out across Negeri Sembilan.

“While Seri Pajam Development was established solely for property development, the construction component was expanded from the Seri Pajam Group. We have a parent company, and under the group, there is a manufacturing arm, a construction arm and a sales arm,” he said.

The decision to venture into industrial property development was not one of whims but thoughtfully discussed with the entire team, taking care to look at the development at every possible angle - again solving problems with solutions as per their procedure.

“Our team is unique in that for each project, they come up with ideas and solutions to realise those ideas. For example, with the apartment project in Seremban, instead of including high-maintenance facilities, Seri Pajam Development provided amenities that attract young families, such as green areas where children and parents can play and bond, and themed common spaces where residents can hang out.

“The starting point is always to find solutions to residents' problems, and then we upgrade from there, like with the industrial park. We addressed underlying issues before launching. Seri Pajam Development does its homework first to find out what buyers want, and then we build to their expectations.

“We have a young team that brings in fresh ideas and works on how to achieve them. Our team members are mostly under 40 years old, even in top management, so we always welcome new ideas,” said Ten.

SPD Tech Valley Industrial Park

Ten is confident that the new industrial development will continue to turn heads.— LOW BOON TAT/THE STAR

Affirming their belief, the developer’s next transformation will be to venture into industrial parks by developing SPD Tech Valley in Senawang. Building on the experience of equipping homes with smart technology, the SPD Tech Valley will be AI-powered, gearing up for Industrial 5.0 and becoming the region's first LEED Gold-certified industrial city.

The park is set to offer a diverse range of facilities tailored to modern industrial needs, from detached factories and intelligent warehouses to centralised labour quarters and a river water treatment plant. Positioned near global giants like Samsung, Denso, On Semiconductor, Kokuyo, Kibing and Nexperia, SPD Tech Valley is poised to leverage on a robust infrastructure and skilled workforce, enhancing operational efficiency and fostering innovation.

SPD Tech Valley is envisioned to provide both ready-built and built-to-suit services to meet the specific needs of industrialists. It represents a strategic extension of the developer’s commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability and community-centric development.

Be it residential, commercial, or the next generation industrial developments, Seri Pajam remains firm in its core value of being meticulous in details and embracing technological innovations to bring the most value to the community it serves. It aims to set benchmarks not just for homes but also hubs for the future. 

Seri Pajam Development has recently completed the groundbreaking ceremony for its SPD Tech Valley which was officiated by the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. 

The 523-acre industrial park with a gross development value (GDV) of RM3bil in Senawang is designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability and smart technology.

Ten pointed out that the SPD Tech Valley is expected to be the growth engine of the new economy in Negeri Sembilan, generating approximately 40,000 job opportunities in manufacturing and services, as well as ushering in foreign investment that will contribute significantly to the state’s GDP.

An aerial impression of the entire industrial park.

SPD Tech Valley is strategically located amidst major industrial zones, including Kawasan Perindustrian Senawang Baru, Kawasan Perindustrian Senawang, Kawasan Perindustrian Tunku Jaafar, and Sungai Gadut Industrial Park. This creates a hub that facilitates seamless business operations and accelerates growth, particularly for industries specialising in semiconductors, electrical and electronics, renewable energy, engineering, food and beverage, and automotive sectors.

The area boasts excellent connectivity via the North-South Expressway (PLUS) and the Kajang-Seremban Highway (LEKAS). Its proximity to KLIA Airport and Port Klang further enhances efficiency for logistics and supply chain operations.

Set to be ready for Industry 4.0, SPD Tech Valley will be equipped with infrastructure including Power Management Units for uninterrupted electricity supply, comprehensive raw water treatment facilities and ready connections for gas and high-speed 5G internet, said Ten. 

Ensuring a secure environment, the industrial park is equipped with multi-tier security systems, including CCTV surveillance and patrolled guard services. It also provides a variety of property options to suit different business needs, ranging from commercial lots to heavy industrial land. 

SPD Tech Valley is designed to be more than just a workplace by including green areas, a business support and leisure centre with recreational facilities and centralised labour quarters with 5,000 beds, enhancing the quality of life for employees and creating a vibrant community.

Focusing on sustainability, the park integrates solar farming, rainwater harvesting, EV charging stations, and cycling paths to minimise its environmental footprint while promoting healthier lifestyles. SPD Tech Valley aspires to be Southeast Asia's first LEED Gold-certified industrial city and community, highlighting its dedication to environmental excellence.

Ten stated that the industrial park will be fully managed by the developer, demonstrating its commitment to ensuring continued growth and innovation for the park.

Recurring income

Looking ahead, Ten noted that while they previously focused on residential products, last year they began launching more commercial products, aiming for 10%-15% of their portfolio. However, not all commercial properties were sold off as they also looked at generating recurring income.

Going forward , Seri Pajam Development has the goal of achieving a balanced revenue stream: 50% from industrial properties and 50% from residential and commercial properties. Following their established concept, they plan not to sell off everything but to lease some of their industrial properties. Specifically, they plan to retain the warehousing, which will be the (final phase for SPD Tech Valley.

“(The group) will hold 20% of the industrial park space for commercial development, which shows our commitment to ensure continued growth and innovation. With facilities such as a business support centre and recreation centre, multi-tiered security system, a one-stop-centre for help and consultation and support for transitioning to renewable energy, the facilities provided will be not only excellent but also innovative,” said Ten. 

Memorable moments

Asked about the most memorable moment for the developer, Ten said: “All of our projects have had something memorable. The stories were always similar: We were not expected to do well, but in the end, we delivered beyond expectations. Initially, people thought our ideas were crazy, but afterwards, they saw us as visionary.

“ For instance, we built affordable low-rise apartments just 3km from Seremban 2, and many questioned why we were developing such a project in an area with ample land, especially when several nearby apartments weren’t selling well.

“Despite the scepticism, we received an excellent response from homebuyers. On the registration day, we sold three blocks and could have sold more if we had been able to register everyone that day. When asked about the attraction, it was clear that the difference lay in creating a landed home experience within an apartment setting. People usually associate affordable homes with poor quality and cheap materials, but we focused on creating livable spaces with high-quality finishings,” Ten added.

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