From the Ground Up: Muhammad Fuad Daud’s Journey at Inokom 

He joined Inokom in 2000 as a Buyer in the purchasing department. Very quickly, he was transferred to the production department, where he was able to apply his educational experience in manufacturing. The move was pivotal as it kickstarted what is now more than two-decades of professional advancement and meaningful career growth. 

“I grew my career with the body shop department, starting as a Production Officer, and eventually appointed as Head of Department,” he reflects. Each new responsibility expanded both his skillset and his perspective. A promotion to Assistant Manager overseeing material management widened his view beyond the production line, exposing him to logistics and plant‑wide operations. 

That trust deepened when he was appointed to lead BMW production operations, where he was given the opportunity to visit automotive plants in Germany and Austria, giving him exposure to global manufacturing standards. In 2014, he was tasked with setting up Mazda’s dedicated production line from the ground up, a critical project that included training exposure at the Mazda Plant in Hiroshima, Japan. 

He was also the first Inokom executive selected for the company’s Executive Development Programme and was given extensive training and overseas plant exposure across Taiwan, Thailand, India, Germany, Austria and Japan. These experiences sharpened his management capabilities, strengthened his confidence and expanded his understanding of advanced manufacturing technologies. 

Today, as Head of the Mazda Kulim Plant, his journey reflects how long‑term growth often happens quietly: when people are given room to stretch, learn and grow alongside the business. 

What drew him to Sime and specifically Inokom was the fact that it is a Malaysian organisation building global automotive brands. For over 25 years, he was able to grow professionally within the company, a journey that reflected his personal belief in “build, not jump.” Through cross‑department opportunities, leadership trust and structured development, Sime invested in his growth and he responded with long‑term commitment and results. This experience reflected the Group’s value of Winning Together, where strong relationships and shared ambition drive success. 

His sense of purpose is rooted in responsibility. As a division head, leading teams means safeguarding not only quality and performance, but also the livelihoods of hundreds of employees and their families. 

Looking forward, his aspiration is to position the Mazda Kulim Plant as Mazda’s ASEAN centre for SUV production. His vision includes maintaining a safe and conducive working environment, delivering quality on par with Japanese standards, and operating an efficient, cost‑effective plant driven by a highly capable, motivated and principled workforce. 

Beyond professional growth, his career at Sime shaped his character, discipline and mindset. What began as a role in purchasing evolved into leadership of a major manufacturing operation, an outcome he never imagined early in his career.  

For young Malaysians, his advice is clear: look at a company’s values, commitment to human development and working environment. Time spent at work makes up a significant portion of life and no compensation can replace wellbeing, balance and meaningful growth. Choosing the right environment, he believes, is the foundation of a sustainable and fulfilling career.