Front Office Manager in Malaysia

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Naval Group and Malysian teams work closely together on the Gowind® Malaysia program on the Lunas shipyard in Lumut. In early 2026, they jointly celebrated the first sea outing of the first corvette, the Maharaja Lela. At the forefront, the Front Office Manager in Malaysia, Franck Heidel, tells us about his daily life as a Technical Assistant.

“There are twelve of us Technical Assistants in Lumut involved in hull, electricity, mechanics, metalwork, production coordination and testing, production engineering, engineering, scheduling and even supply chain aspects. 
Our aim is to support and advise the shipyard and pass on our knowledge relating to the installation of specific equipment, such as passive sonar, the helicopter hangar door and starting up systems. The partnership between Naval Group and Lunas has enabled the shipyard to increase its maturity and expertise since 2023. 
The Gowind® Malaysia is a technically complex vessel, so we are here to support the shipyard and provide it with the necessary technical elements. Our Technical Assistant role covers two vessels, on which the shipyard will work autonomously for the remainder of the class. 
The first corvette will begin its sea trials in the spring. Constructive dialogue is the foundation for a long-term, trust-based relationship with the customer, built progressively over time. In my case, I already had some understanding of the culture and a connection with the Malaysian Navy from previous assignments. It is essential, above all, to show the customer that you abide by the rules, are proactive and are there to support them. This is greatly appreciated and works well today. This is my ninth year in Malaysia. Before this, I was in Brazil and Egypt. By moving around, you discover new ways of working, new cultures and new people. As I often say – the life of an expatriate is not a holiday. There is a significant level of responsibility, but all these experiences are worth living! Here in Malaysia, for example, relations with locals are outstanding, both on the Lunas shipyard and outside, the people are extremely kind and polite. Being here is a truly rewarding experience, both in cultural and professional terms. Every new overseas posting is a brand new adventure.“ 
 

Naval Group

Équipe du front office de Naval Group en Malaisie