About Us:
Meraque Services Sdn Bhd (“Meraque”) was established in 2017 as a facilities and property management company covering workplace management, building and maintenance services and asset solutions provider. In 2019, Meraque decided to shift its approach in facilities management to a high technology sphere company as the population is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2050, placing pressure to innovate on a sustainable way of living with depleting resources. This could be achieved through the usage of technologies. One of which is the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or more commonly known as ‘drone’.
During the Movement Control Order in 2020, multiple sectors were forced to strategies its effort. From the usage of drone technologies in facilities management, Meraque found that the potential of the technology across other sectors is enormous. Thus, Meraque embarked on the journey to transform various sectors to digitalisation and sustainability by understanding the sectors’ challenges, providing tailor-made solutions at national and global level.
The shift saw an increase in cost of technology comprising of the hardware and software solutions, and subsequently increase in revenue. In the first half of 2021, revenue was up to MYR 3.2 million from MYR 443,835 in 2020. The cost of technology represented 22.7 percent of revenue from January to July 2021. In comparison, the cost of technology in 2020 accounted for 45% of revenue. The increase in cost is crucial as Meraque focuses on understanding clients’ needs and addressing the need with the best possible solution.
For example, Meraque provides consultation to Sime Darby Plantation Berhad and Boustead Plantation Berhad in their need for efficient palm oil management. Months of research and development birthed the first Hybrid Drone Based Spraying for Agriculture in Malaysia together with an in-house developed software, Precision Agriculture Software Solution (PASS). The software provides a complete monitoring and tracking management solutions for the plantations’ operations, procurement and finance. As a result of the First Hybrid Drone Spraying for Agriculture in Malaysia and PASS, 180,000 hectares of trees were counted and mapped in oil palm estates with 23,000 flight hours in Malaysia from the year 2019 to 2020.
In support of the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Malaysia Global Innovation & Creativity Centre, Meraque partners with AirAsia Group Berhad to test the drone delivery service in Malaysia which is expected to reach USD 7.38 billion globally in 2027. Recently, Meraque partnered with Pharmaniaga Berhad to successfully deliver the first vaccine and medical supplies across the sea to Pangkor Island in support of accessible healthcare for all Malaysians.
The growth in market share in local plantation and telco industry in Malaysia pushes Meraque to grow its talent base from 8 to 52 people within the year and it is estimated to expand to over 100 within the next year. To manage this huge intake, Meraque plans to engage with local youths in plantation areas and provide job opportunities for them within the industry.
Meraque’s forward thinking director, lead experts and talented crews landed the team a recognition by Drone Industry Insight to be ranked 19th of the top global drone services companies in the world, and this propels them to continue to push the boundaries of technology in solving business and social challenges towards a high-income and high-tech nation with better quality of life by 2025 in line with the Twelfth Malaysia Plan.
