Deep Dive

In the early 1990s, Chu Jenn Weng developed expertise in machine vision while studying at Universiti Sains Malaysia. His academic training in electronic engineering and image processing laid the foundation for a specialised field that replaces human inspection with algorithm driven analysis.

In 1993, he began his career at Hewlett Packard in Penang. Over six years, exposure to global manufacturing practices, including visits to the United States, shaped his ambition to build a high technology company in Malaysia.

In 2000, ViTrox Corporation Berhad was established with initial capital of RM20000. The founding team included Chu Jenn Weng, Low Kian Huat, and Ooi Eng Leong.

Each founder assumed distinct roles, covering product development, system integration, and machine vision engineering. Within six months, the team delivered its first product, a two dimensional vision system designed to detect defects in semiconductor markings and lead structures.

This early success validated the commercial potential of machine vision in electronics manufacturing.

In 2004, the company rebranded as ViTrox Corporation, marking its transition from a small engineering outfit into a comprehensive solutions provider. Its offerings expanded to include machine vision systems and automated board inspection technologies.

These systems serve a critical function. They ensure that defects in semiconductor packaging and printed circuit boards are identified before products reach end users, reducing failure rates and improving manufacturing yield.

In 2005, ViTrox was listed on Bursa Malaysia’s MESDAQ market, providing access to capital for expansion. By 2009, it had transferred to the Main Market, reflecting its growing scale and maturity.

From 2010 onwards, the company expanded globally. Its customer base includes outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers such as Inari Amertron and ASE Group, as well as electronics manufacturing services firms such as Foxconn and Flex.

These clients rely on ViTrox systems to detect microscopic defects in chips and circuit boards. In industries such as automotive electronics and telecommunications, where reliability is critical, such inspection capabilities are essential.

From 2022 onwards, ViTrox aligned itself with Industry 4.0 trends. It introduced V ONE, a platform that connects inspection systems across production lines, enabling predictive maintenance and data driven optimisation.

In 2023, the group established ViTrox College in Batu Kawan, Penang. Through work based learning programmes, the institution integrates academic training with real manufacturing environments, addressing talent shortages in the semiconductor sector.

By 2024, Chu Jenn Weng was recognised in the Forbes Malaysia rich list, with an estimated net worth of USD430 million. Despite this, the company’s leadership has maintained a disciplined and modest corporate culture, including commitments to allocate a portion of profits to education and community initiatives.

As of 2026, ViTrox Corporation Berhad has achieved a market capitalisation of approximately RM8 billion, with operations spanning more than 20 countries.