AGRICULTURAL AID: (From left) Lin, Teh, Chaloraju, and Ng are seen with the newly unveiled Agrocarrier 6×6.

15/11/2013 (Borneo Post) - Tan Chong Industrial Machinery Sdn Bhd (TCIM), a division under Warisan Tan Chong Holdings Bhd (subsidiary of Tan Chong Group), in collaboration with Taiwan Golden Bee Ltd (TGB) has officially unveiled its latest innovation in palm oil fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in-field collection equipment; the Agrocarrier 6×6, here yesterday.

Aware of the growing labour shortage in the palm oil industry, particularly in the upstream sector, and palm oils’ time versus quality sensitivity, the Agrocarrier 6×6 is co-developed by TCIM and TGB to assist in the mechanisation process for palm oil plantations in Malaysia and to improve productivity by a minimum two times.

TCIM executive director Teh Kok Lim said, “With all 350,000 foreign workers employed in plantations, the oil palm industry is still heavily dependent on foreign labour for harvesting, general upkeep and maintenance.

“Although mechanisation has been gradually introduced over the years, it has yet to replace the high labour requirement in the upstream sector.

“Mechanisation must meet the stringent criteria of reducing labour cost, increasing productivity, and improving product quality.

“For this reason, one of the key challenges of the plantation segment is to scale up the level of mechanisation. We are confident that the Agrocarrier is able to meet these expectations.”

The official introduction of the vehicle also marks a significant milestone in the corporate history of the group, Teh said.

“It underscores our collaboration with TGB to further explore the availability of mechanisations in the agricultural sectors particularly oil palm plantations in Malaysia,” he added.

The launch of Agrocarrier 6×6 started off in here yesterday and is set to be launched in Miri, Tawau and Sandakan.

“Right now we are focusing on East Malaysia because we are not going nationwide yet as Sabah and Sarawak is the main market for plantation,” Teh commented.

On Agrocarrier 6×6, Teh explained that the vehicle was a project that was approximately five years in the making.

TGB, which co-developed the Agrocarrier 6×6, is also a reputable company as it is a leading brand in Europe of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and it also deals with international motoring companies such as BMW, Vespar, and Subaru.

TGB president George Lin, meanwhile, expressed his confidence in Agrocarrier 6×6 and its ability to improve production and quality in the palm oil sector in Malaysia.

The launch was also held in the presence of former deputy minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Ng Lip Yong who kick started the initial research and development process of the Agrocarrier in 2007.

TCIM is currently holding a special promotion on the Agrocarrier 6×6. According to TCIM general manager (East Malaysia) Chaloraju Subramaniam, TCIM is offering promotional price of RM40,000 for its standard Agrocarrier 6×6 and RM43,000 for its high tipping version.

The price is only valid to Sabah and Sarawak only and the promotion ends on November 30.

On the sales expectations, Teh said, “We hope to sell 500 units next year (throughout 2014). We are very confident that this product will certainly help as it is a value for money product.”