Western Digital Malaysia bags two wins at Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2024

The company empowers connections through its R.E.S.E.T. Conference and fosters transformative leadership in the era of advanced manufacturing.

Western Digital clinched the Employee Engagement of the Year - Computer Software and the Executive of the Year - Computer Software categories at the Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2024.

Employee engagement

Western Digital acknowledges that more than standard activities, engaging employees is about fostering an environment where they feel inspired, empowered, and aligned with the company's vision. To achieve this, the company launched the R.E.S.E.T. Conference, a strategic initiative designed to enhance employee engagement by promoting a culture of innovation, high performance, and collaboration.

The conference focussed on four key pillars such as high-performing workforce, mindset reset for disruptive innovation, IR5.0 future-ready, and best-in-class everywhere—which all aimed to reshape how employees view their roles and responsibilities.
Western Digital crafted an immersive experience that allowed employees to explore the future roadmap whilst enhancing their career fulfilment. The event featured inspiring sessions from external speakers and dynamic pillar booth exhibitions, all designed to educate and excite attendees.

The company’s strategy was anchored in three core goals: empowerment, in which employees were engaged through knowledge sharing and hands-on activities that build confidence in their skills; connection, wherein the company fostered a sense of belonging through collaborative efforts and team-oriented challenges; and fun and creativity, where joy was integrated into learning with unique interactive experiences. 

The R.E.S.E.T. Conference’s success was attested to by the feedback from over 90% of the attendees, who said they felt more engaged and motivated afterwards. Furthermore, the pillar booths provided a platform for employees to interact with new innovations and future strategies, strengthening their connection to the company’s vision.

Even beyond the event itself, employees from various departments began actively contributing ideas for innovation, process improvement, and sustainability initiatives. Moreover, the sessions led by external speakers brought fresh perspectives and energised the teams. 

Overall, the R.E.S.E.T. Conference has significantly strengthened the company’s employee engagement efforts, fostering a vibrant culture of collaboration and innovation. Its success won Western Digital the Employee Engagement of the Year - Computer Software accolade.

Innovative leadership

Dato’ KL Bock’s leadership led Western Digital to significant growth, particularly through the transformation of its manufacturing processes. His guidance in implementing Lean Six Sigma automation principles has transformed the factories into Advanced 4IR Manufacturing Lighthouses—a recognition granted by the World Economic Forum. These have not only boosted productivity but also positioned the company to meet increasing demand in competitive markets, leading to expanded operations in China, Malaysia, Taiwan, India, and the US.

These successes did not come without considerable challenges. Dato’ KL Bock faced the complexities of global manufacturing, including operational inefficiencies and the necessity for rapid scalability to meet market demands. To overcome these obstacles, he adopted Industry 4.0 technologies, focussing on automation and real-time analytics in factory environments. Drawing on his extensive experience in greenfield construction, he successfully established new manufacturing capabilities in China and Malaysia, which involved implementing robust processes that eliminated bottlenecks and reduced cycle times. His hands-on leadership style fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to proactively and collaboratively resolve issues.

Dato’ KL Bock has also introduced innovative ideas that have fundamentally changed the company’s manufacturing approach. His vision for the "Lights OUT Intelligent Factory" concept combines cutting-edge technology with manufacturing processes, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and lowering costs. His commitment to sustainability and productivity is reflected in the development of innovative packaging technologies and the implementation of advanced supply chain management practices. As an influential member of regional advisory boards and a participant in global forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos, he advocates for the industry's transition to IR4.0 and IR5.0 technologies, positioning Western Digital Batu Kawan at the forefront of the manufacturing revolution.

Through his dedication, strategic vision, and pursuit of excellence, Dato’ KL Bock has not only driven the growth of Western Digital Batu Kawan but has also made significant contributions to the advancement of the manufacturing industry as a whole, which earned him the Executive of the Year - Computer Software accolade.

The Malaysia Management Excellence Awards recognises the country’s top leaders, innovators, and teams whose initiatives have driven significant business success for their companies.

The awards programme also celebrates efforts in areas such as employee engagement, health and wellness, diversity and inclusion, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that have positively impacted workforce or customers.

The Malaysia Management Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's employee engagements and management initiatives, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].