Postgraduate and undergraduate students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Marketing and Management (SoMM) embarked on an immersive industry visit to Top Glove Corporation Berhad., learning how the company’s headquarters, R&D laboratory, automated facility, branding, and robust ESG initiatives integrate to drive global success.

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On 2nd July 2026, postgraduate and undergraduate students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) stepped outside the lecture theatre and into the nerve centre of global manufacturing. 

Organised by the School of Marketing and Management (SOMM) under the leadership of Senior Lecturer and Industry Advisory Panel Coordinator, Ms Harjinder Kaur, the immersive industry visit to Top Glove Corporation Berhad. offered students an insider’s view of the world’s largest glove manufacturer. 

The cohort — comprising students in Digital Marketing, International Business Communication, International Business Management, and E-Business — embarked on a journey designed to bridge theoretical concepts with real-world execution. 

Over the course of the day, they discovered how a modest Malaysian firm, founded in 1991, transformed into a multinational manufacturing titan operating 50 manufacturing facilities across Malaysia, Thailand, China, and Vietnam, while serving customers in over 190 countries. 

The day commenced at Top Glove’s iconic headquarters, Top Glove Tower, where Group Human Resources Senior Executive, Ms Noor Syafiqah Hanina Mohd. Darus warmly welcomed the delegation.

Through an engaging corporate briefing and a guided tour of the Top Glove Gallery, students gained deep insights into the company’s global footprint, corporate culture, and strategic trajectory. 

Standing before a detailed scale model of the firm’s integrated ecosystem, they observed how manufacturing plants, research centres, logistics networks, and quality management systems synchronized to deliver value across international markets. 

Beyond high-level corporate strategy, the headquarters visit revealed a clever approach to brand humanisation through Top Glove’s mascots, Toppy and Glovy. 

Frequently featured in community outreach and campaigns, these relatable characters demonstrated how complex Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) messages could be communicated effectively to the wider public. 

Moving from overarching strategy to granular science, the group next visited Factory 25’s Research and Development Laboratory, guided by Assistant Research and Development (R&D) Manager, Dr Devi Shantini P. Chandrasakaran.

Here, students gained a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous testing, material formulation, and quality assurance that underpin the brand’s competitive advantage. 

A key highlight was the discussion on sustainable product innovation and biodegradable gloves, which illustrated how scientific research directly informs product differentiation while proving that sustainability and high-performance engineering can successfully coexist. 

The tour culminated on the fast-paced production floor of Factory 25, led by Production Engineers, Mr Pang Zi Yuan and Mr Wellington Ken De Alwis. 

The sheer scale of operations left a lasting impression on the visitors, who watched highly automated production lines whirring at an astonishing speed of approximately 22,800 gloves per line. 

Students observed state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 technologies at work, ranging from robotic arms to AI-powered vision inspection systems that provided a dual-layer quality guarantee.

Furthermore, learning about Top Glove’s demand-driven manufacturing model provided a practical lesson in lean supply chain management, showing how waste reduction directly boosted overall performance. 

Throughout the facility, Top Glove’s holistic commitment to sustainability was evident through its advanced wastewater treatment facilities, renewable energy initiatives, on-site medical centres, and comprehensive employee welfare programmes. 

Digital Marketing student, Ni Luh Putu Elsy Savitri Dhamayanti shared that watching the dedicated nitrile glove production lines operate at a massive capacity of 22,800 pieces per line was incredibly impressive, especially seeing how seamlessly they have integrated advanced automation like robotic arms and AI vision cameras. 

“From a marketing perspective, it was fascinating to see Top Glove transform its B2B brand from a commodity supplier into a purpose-driven leader, using biodegradable glove innovations and friendly mascots like Toppy and Glovy to make complex sustainability values engaging and relatable.” 

Fellow Digital Marketing student, Hsu Myat Thiri Bo emphasized that the practical insights gained during the walkthrough helped her understand the importance of automation, quality control, workplace safety, and sustainability in maintaining global standards.

“Seeing these practices firsthand strengthened my appreciation of how successful organizations operate and compete internationally.” 

Focusing on corporate responsibility, International Business Communication student Kings Ferrels Kondowe added that Top Glove’s investment in sustainability clearly demonstrated how environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and financial performance can coexist successfully. 

“In context of a Sustainability, witnessing these principles in practice reinforced the importance of pursuing the Triple Bottom Line approach.” 

Reflecting on the overall outcome, Ms Harjinder highlighted that the visit provided an exceptional opportunity for students to experience integrated innovation, branding, operational excellence, and sustainability within a globally respected organisation. 

“Beyond manufacturing processes, students connected classroom theories with real-world practice, gaining vital insights into value creation, responsible leadership, and sustainable business practices essential for developing future-ready, globally minded graduates,” she said. 

Ultimately, the visit provided APU postgraduate and undergraduate students with a clear, real-world understanding of what drives sustainable global business success.