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The purpose of this paper is to understand the current practices of tool and die development, particularly in the Malaysian context with respect to collaborative manufacturing (CM). It is important to gauge the presents of CM, which is one of the key elements of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) so that significant initiatives could be taken. The findings are also expected to address the issues pertaining limited information related to collaborative tool and die development in Malaysia.

A survey was carried out among the key players in the local tool and die industry, covering issues such as operational structure in practice, internal collaboration, external collaboration and application of collaborative technology.

The results revealed that although practitioners realise that there are systems and available technological support, unfortunately, it has not been embraced due to poor communication, lack of commitment and cooperation from employees and business owners. In addition, industry players also need to be aware of the benefits concerning CM for a sustainable future.

Many industry players are rather reluctant to participate in surveys and tend to reserve their opinions regarding their operational practices. Lack of awareness among the industry players contributed to the poor participation of the survey and based on the feedback, some of the industry players are not well-informed regarding the latest developments in the industry.

The data and feedback gained through the research offer the perspective for the current state of CM particularly the tool and die industry in Malaysia. This may be a preliminary study with limited data but the value of the information is significant for further in-depth study and policy alignment towards enhancing the tool and die industry which is rarely given attention to. Understanding the current state of CM particularly in the tool and die development would be critical for the expansion of IR 4.0 concerning this field in Malaysia.