Helping SME boost productivity through Capability Upgrading and Internationalisation
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Mr Teo Ser Luck visited Envipure, a Singapore-based environmental engineering and systems company, to understand first-hand how the company successfully transformed its business by venturing overseas and adopting productivity initiatives.
After this morning’s tour at Envipure’s workshop, which showcased its productivity improvements in the design process, MOS Teo said,
“Envipure has successfully built a niche for itself in the area of air pollution and odour control. Today, it is a leading solution provider in the environment and water industry, boasting capabilities that enabled it to gain a competitive advantage and chart new frontiers overseas. It is a very good example of how a company has effectively worked in close partnerships with government agencies like SPRING Singapore and IE Singapore on its capability upgrading and internationalisation efforts.”
Envipure’s productivity initiativesAt Envipure, the Project and Design teams work closely together particularly in fabrication work to ensure product customisation. The pre-fabrication work is performed and technologically-packaged systems are assembled before being exported to overseas customers. To boost productivity in the design stages, Envipure continuously invests in 3D design and modelling software to minimise errors, ensure design accuracy and enhance overall productivity during manufacturing.
Recognising the need to venture overseas for sustained business growth, Envipure embarked on its export strategy since 2010 and now has plants installed in more than 20 countries, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Pacific Islands. To further strengthen its market positioning and environmental solutions capabilities, Envipure is exploring research and development activities to invent and develop advanced and innovative technologies for the environment and water industry.
Commenting on the company’s transformation over the years, Mr Vincent Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Envipure said, “Envipure has been constantly upgrading our capabilities to innovate and transform our business. We have taken a bold step in expanding our overseas network since a couple of years back and this business strategy has since been proven to be very successful for us. It is especially critical for SMEs like us to continue to upgrade ourselves and take measured efforts to raise productivity, in order to ensure business growth and sustained competitiveness.”
Helping SMEs Grow their Businesses
- The Government will continue to support SMEs which are willing to make the efforts to innovate, upgrade and improve productivity through their journey of economic transformation. SMEs can look forward to more government help and more user-friendly government schemes to boost their capabilities and drive business growth in today’s challenging economic landscape. SMEs seeking to grow their businesses overseas will also receive help that will make their internationalisation journey faster and smoother. Further details on the enhanced support by the Government will be announced in MTI’s upcoming Committee of Supply debate.
- Please refer to Annex A for an Overview of the environment and water Industry.
MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
5 March 2013
Media ContactsMs Kuek Chor Ling
Senior Assistant Director, Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Tel: 63327705
HP: 93385531
Email:
kuek_chor_ling@mti.gov.sg
Ms Delia Wu
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Tel: 63327523
HP: 97773119
Email:
delia_wu@mti.gov.sg
Overview of the Environment and Water Industry
Introduction
The Environment & Water Industry Programme Office (EWI) was set up in May 2006 to spearhead the development of the environment and water industry. Led by PUB and working with partner agencies such as EDB Singapore, IE Singapore and SPRING Singapore, EWI adopts a three-pronged strategy with technology as a key pillar. Singapore's water industry is expected to contribute a yearly Value-added (VA) of $1.7 billion and employment of 11,000 by 2015.
The key growth strategies for Singapore’s water cluster are:
- Cluster development by anchoring key foreign players and growing local companies;
- Technology development by creating the right research environment and trained manpower; and
- Internationalisation through trade missions and setting up of exhibitions/fairs.
Opportunities & Development of Singapore Water SMEs
Most of Singapore’s Water SMEs are spread across the whole value chain of the water industry, including component manufacturing, producing standardised and modularised water treatment solutions and providing packaged engineering services and products by building customised BOT/BOOT solutions. Development of Water SMEs is anchored on helping them develop their technical capabilities before helping them move into the international market.
How do SPRING and other Government Agencies help SMEs in this Industry?
SPRING works with local SMEs to strengthen their capabilities in developing new technologies and innovative solutions, which help them, enhance their competitiveness. We work with partners to help SMEs obtain the necessary training, receive greater international exposure and be kept abreast of important industry developments. As a result of their innovative technologies and products, many SMEs within the water industry have successfully regionalised, boosting Singapore’s reputation as a global waterhub.
To enable SMEs with little research capabilities to take on technology development, SPRING partnered Ngee Ann Polytechnic to set up the Environmental and Water Technology Centre of Innovation (EWT COI) in 2006. The Centre provides SMEs the technical expertise to develop new technologies and translate intellectual property into applications. EWT COI has since worked with companies to develop more than 60 water and waste water technology projects, to help in the growth of the industry.
For municipal water solutions providers, SPRING links the companies with PUB for test-bedding opportunities. One initiative is the PUB-SPRING grant call that supports water companies in the development of used water treatment technologies, from conceptualization to commercialization. Suitable technologies will be evaluated and tested for future water reclamation plants. SPRING is also coordinating with IE Singapore to organise trips to townships and infrastructure developers in regional markets.
On the other hand, industrial water solutions providers are looking to move into industries with more sophisticated water needs. This will allow the companies to command a higher profit margin for their products. Some of the targeted industries include the mining industry and oil & gas industry. SPRING is working with IE to help our companies develop the necessary capabilities before bringing them to international markets.
