Cost Competitiveness Benchmarking for the Manufacturing of Rubber-Based Products in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, India & Sri Lanka (September 2021)

132 pages. MRC conducted a cost competitiveness benchmarking in the manufacturing of rubber-based products to examine the cost competitiveness of Malaysian rubber product manufacturers in relation to manufacturers in six countries i.e. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, India and Sri Lanka. The study examines the production cost for thirteen major products: powder-free latex surgical gloves, powdered latex surgical gloves, powder-free latex examination gloves, powdered latex examination gloves, powder-free nitrile examination gloves, cleanroom gloves, household gloves, male condoms, Foley catheters, new radial tyres for passenger cars, retreaded tyres for commercial vehicles (truck and buses), engine mounts, and automotive "O-rings". This report is an update to the series of cost competitiveness benchmarking studies completed by MRC in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2017. The 2020 update is deemed important taking into account changes in costs such as raw material, labour, fuel, utilities and other overhead costs in several countries as well as inclusion of new products- new tyres, retreaded tyres and engine mounts. It provides a basis for comparing costs in the manufacturing of rubber products that may be useful in assessing Malaysia's competitiveness vis-a-vis other rubber product manufacturing countries.