What it does: Manufactures engineering and automotive equipment for various subsidiaries.
Best known for: Being one of the largest automotive manufacturing companies, not only in Malaysia but in the entire Asia-Pacific Region.
Staff stats: Over 7,500 employees from its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to its offices in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Australia, China, India and Oman.
The good bits: The company offers health insurance that also covers the family of employees. There are also annual bonuses to top-performers. Some departments are also entitled to house loans, and discounts on cars within the company's partners.
The not so good bits: UMW's management is criticised for being too reliant in its executives in making corporate decisions. This results in lower efficiency in dealing with paperwork and internal processes.
UMW started in 1917 as spare parts and repair shop in Orchard Road, Singapore. Under Chia Yee Soh's leadership, this small family business became Singapore's go-to for auto repairs. Not long after the establishment of United Motor Works, it obtained General Motors distribution rights.
A decade after UMW's establishment, it was consolidated into United Motor Works Pte Ltd, the predecessor of the existing UMW Holdings today.
Fast-forward to 2020, UMW Holdings Berhad is one of the largest industrial companies, not only in Malaysia but in the Asia-Pacific region as well.
There is a culture of openness and compliance in UMW.
Inside the offices, managers are open to feedback and questions. Whenever employees are showing signs of slowing down, managers are willing to have a knowledge sharing session with them to keep employees involved with what's happening in the industry.
Every year, employees in UMW go through auditing. Before this day, employees are expected to comply with the auditor's requirements. Most days in the company, employees are working towards fulfilling the requirements of the auditors so they can stay compliant and help secure their jobs.
UMW's corporate responsibility focuses on the underprivileged and the homeless people in Malaysia. As of today, UMW's societal initiatives have helped up to 300 underprivileged families and over 1,400 homeless people in Malaysia. In 2018 alone, the company put in more than 14,000 volunteer hours.
UMW has an organised vibe to it, with employees and managers working in a methodical pace and manner. The nature of their work may be fast-paced, but everyone is expected to keep a keen eye on details as most employees deal with data analysis.
For fresh graduates and young professionals, UMW puts successful candidates into trainee programs before they can land a regular position in the company. To get into one of these programs, applicants must send their CVs to the company's website, UMW offices, through employee referral, or through online job boards.
Applicants will go through various stages in the recruitment process. First is a video interview with HR. During this interview, an HR officer will ask the applicants about their background, capabilities, and experience. After this interview is the face-to-face interview with the HR team.
During the second interview, applicants will be asked about their knowledge about the industry and what urged them to apply to UMW. After this interview is the group assessment where the HR team will test how well applicants go along with others on a group setting. After this, applicants will take at least two sets of online tests.
Lastly, the applicants will be sitting down as a group with the company's talent council. During this final interview, the council will explain the nature of the work to see whether applicants are comfortable with their job description as they work with UMW. Chosen applicants will be given a job offer on-site. The entire recruitment process takes approximately three weeks.
UMW is known for its project management capabilities, which can be a major drawcard for new employees. Employees are given the right amount of training and opportunities to remain compliant with the company's annual goal-oriented auditing.
As far as job security is concerned, UMW employees only have to know their roles, excel in their stations, and show a documented record of their positive contributions in order to keep their jobs in the company. UMW is one of the largest companies in Malaysia, so a seat in the company is sought-after in the industry.
Interns at UMW can earn up to MYR 830 a month. When they successfully land a regular position in the company, their salary can go up to MYR 2,000 every month.