KUALA LUMPUR: Hartalega Holdings Bhd

remains positive on the long-term outlook for the glove industry as customer inventories normalise and demand gradually recovers, although excess capacity, intense competition and geopolitical uncertainties continue to weigh on the operating environment.

Chief executive officer Kuan Mun Leong said evolving trade policies could present opportunities for Malaysian glove manufacturers, but the industry remained exposed to volatility in raw material and logistics costs.

“While the operating environment remains challenging, there are encouraging signs of gradual improvement as customer inventories normalise and demand recovers,” he said in a statement.

Kuan said the industry's longer-term fundamentals remained supported by growing healthcare needs and greater hygiene awareness globally.

Hartalega said it would continue to focus on strengthening its cost competitiveness, improving efficiencies through automation and technology, and reinforcing its market presence as the industry recovery progresses.

The glove maker said geopolitical developments, changing trade policies, excess production capacity and intense competition would continue to influence the pace of recovery.

“While these developments may present opportunities for Malaysian manufacturers, we are also mindful of ongoing volatility in raw material and logistics costs.

“For Hartalega, we are focused on strengthening cost competitiveness, driving further efficiencies through automation and technology, and reinforcing our market presence,” Kuan said.

“Building on our established strengths and proven track record in the industry spanning close to 40 years, we are confident in our ability to navigate the evolving market and capture opportunities ahead.”

For the financial year ended March 31, 2026, Hartalega's profit after tax rose 38% to RM102mil from RM74mil a year earlier, supported by higher plant utilisation, automation-led efficiency gains and cost management.

It subsequently recorded profit after tax of RM70mil for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared with RM12mil a year earlier, while revenue increased 10% to RM606mil.

Hartalega currently has installed production capacity of about 37 billion gloves annually at its Next Generation Integrated Glove Manufacturing Complex in Sepang.