Mr Lee Yi Shyan at the launch of the Manufacturing Productivity Technology Centre and Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Operations Management Innovation (OMNI) Programme, 7 Oct 2011

SPEECH BY MR LEE YI SHYAN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND SINGAPORE WORKFORCE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS (WSQ) OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT INNOVATION (OMNI) PROGRAMME, ON FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2011, AT 3.10 PM AT SIMTech AUDITORIUM

Dr Lim Ser Yong, Executive Director, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology or SIMTech,

Mr Goh Eng Ghee, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Workforce Development Agency,

Ladies and gentlemen

Thank you for inviting me to this happy occasion. We are launching two initiatives today: the Manufacturing Productivity Technology Centre (MPTC) and the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Operations Management Innovation (OMNI) [pronounced as Omnee] Programme.
..
SIMTech Technologies Under One Roof

As mentioned by Dr Lim, the new Manufacturing Productivity Technology Centre (or MPTC) brings together under one roof, SIMTech technologies and capabilities developed over the years. The Centre will be a rich resource for companies adopting SIMTech-developed technologies, tools and capabilities in automation, processes and systems to gain “step-change” improvement in manufacturing productivity.

In essence, the Centre targets to enhance efficiency, ensure effectiveness and engineer value creation through innovation for the manufacturing industry. MPTC will also equip PMETs with the know-how to deploy these technologies to develop high-value products.

MPTC is off to a good start. Today, seven companies from the manufacturing sector, comprising both MNC and SMEs, will be signing Memoranda of Understanding to initiate productivity improvement collaborations with SIMTech. Separately, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, a global full-service semiconductor foundry, will be signing an agreement to collaborate with SIMTech on productivity enhancement projects for the next five years.

Skills Upgrading Programmes: OMNI for Productivity

The second initiative focuses on human resources for productivity movement. Last year, WDA and SIMTech launched the WSQ SME Manufacturing Excellence (S.M.E.) Programme to create a pool of Process Improvement Champions or “TechnoVation Managers”.

I am pleased to note it has yielded good results. To date, 26 enterprises have sent 47 of their managers to the programme. These companies have seen productivity improvements ranging from 10% to 230%.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme is Teck Wah value Chain Pte Ltd. Using systems and automation technology knowledge and skills acquired from the program, Teck Wah has redesigned and simplified their printing process, paper ordering and material planning to increase throughputs. Teck Wah value Chain achieved a 17 percent productivity improvement of about S$635,000 a year.

Building on this success, the program will now be expanded to cover the non-SME sector as well. Called the “WSQ Operations Management and Innovation (OMNI) Programme”, the new programme will cater to large and small companies working in the same industry to realize cluster-wide productivity improvements.

By being more sectoral-focused and supporting operations improvement strategies, the new programme hopes to benefit even more companies for collective improvement.

The new OMNI programme is off to a good start. WDA and SIMTech has started working with the Association of Marine Industry (ASMI) to pilot the new program. Many other companies such as Ciba Vision, Faxolif Industries, First Engineering, Kenshi Singapore, Omni Mold, PLC Industries and Union Inks and Graphics have also expressed interest to come on board.

These two new initiatives represent Government’s commitment to help our SMEs and companies to increase their capacity to innovate. It is also part of the $16.1 billion RIE 2015 plan set aside to help companies invest in and undertake more R&D. Our manufacturing sector continues to remain a key pillar of our growth strategy. The 9,000 manufacturing companies we have must redouble their efforts in raising productivity and competitiveness.

Finally, let me congratulate the 47 trainees receiving your WSQ statements today. I would also like to commend SIMTech for establishing MPTC to better serve the manufacturing sector. Now, what remains is for our companies to come forward to take full advantage of these two new programmes. In this way, we can stay ahead of competition. Thank you.