Mr Lee Yi Shyan at the Official Launch of Scanteak’s Holm Collection and Bursary Presentation

SPEECH BY MR LEE YI SHYAN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF TRADE & INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF SCANTEAK’S HOLM COLLECTION AND BURSARY PRESENTATION, TUESDAY, 14 JULY 2015, 3.40PM, SUNTEC CITY, EAST ATRIUM

 Mr Lim Pok Chin, Founder of Scanteak

Mr Gabriel Tan, Co-Founder and Design Director of Outofstock Design

Representatives from A.S. Louken, Foh Foh Company, Redwood Interior, S.C. International and Tools of The Trade

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to be here today for Scanteak’s launch of the HOLM collection, and for the presentation of the Design Bursary to representatives from our Polytechnics and ITEs.

Since 1974, Scanteak has grown from a small teak-furniture manufacturer to a comprehensive furniture maker having 100 retail outlets in Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Canada and Brunei. Scanteak is a fine example of a SME pursuing innovation, internationalisation and collaboration for growth. 

Innovation as a driver of growth

Scanteak’s growth story in many ways reflects our growth story of Singapore’s economy. In the past 5 decades, we transitioned from low cost manufacturing to one that embraces technology, design and innovation. Our agencies, such as SPRING, IE Singapore, WDA and others provide timely and relevant support to help our firms upgrade. The strong public-private sector partnership that we have is a source of collective competitiveness.

One example of government’s assistance programmes is DesignSingapore Council’s Design Innovation Assistance (DIA). The scheme supports enterprises in using design as a strategic differentiator and enabler for innovation, productivity and business growth.  Companies can also tap on SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant (CDG) to build capabilities in related areas such as brand development and human capital.

Personally, I have the pleasure of working with SFIC (Singapore Furniture Industries Council) over the past decade to encourage them to quicken the adoption of “design” as a key growth strategy. To me, design elements can include styling, use of quality materials, functional utility, user experience and now, incorporating infocomms technology.

Yes, I suggested to SFIC at the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2015 that incorporating infocomms technology should be considered as one design parameter because in the internet of things, many devices are being built with sensors and communications ability. They collect information about user preferences, usage and even health data as part of the new “smart lifestyle”. It will be odd for furniture pieces which typically take up big spaces in urban homes to remain “dumb” in years to come.

Another area Singapore furniture designers and makers can do well is in space utilization – how to make furniture pieces which make full use of the limited spaces in our typical apartments of an urbanized Asia. Our HDB flats and condos are therefore very good test-beds for space-optimizing and multi-functional furniture. For mass acceptance, modularizing the components of such furniture will also help distribution. End users can purchase the modules they need for the space they have, and make their own customized, smart furniture set up.

Indeed, by embracing new capabilities such as design and innovation, our furniture sector achieved productivity growth of 6.1% annually between 2010 and 2013

[1]

.  We can raise this number further.

Singapore furniture companies also have presence in more than 19 countries, including major markets like the US, China and Europe

[2]

. Our companies have been exhibiting at top international furniture fairs in Italy, Germany and China.  Our pool of design talent is growing, with our designers making their mark internationally.  If you visited this year’s Milan Design Week, you would have seen a number of exhibits by Singapore designers, including Outofstock.  We are well placed to grow further.

Workforce Upskilling – Ensuring a sustainable talent pool

In addition to innovation, we will also need to continually develop our human capital so that both our companies and Singaporeans are able to benefit from new economic opportunities.  I am highly encouraged that A.S. Louken, Foh Foh Company, Redwood Interior, Scanteak, S.C. International and Tools of The Trade have embraced the importance in developing homegrown design talent, and have contributed $120,000 to The Design Bursary, which will be given to deserving design students from our Polytechnics and ITE.  The sponsorship signals the commitment from the industry towards strengthening our local design ecosystem and developing a pool of local design talent.

Developing strong design capabilities is in line with the SkillsFuture Initiative, which was introduced during Budget 2015.  SkillsFuture will put in place pathways for Singaporeans to deepen and achieve mastery of skills, to enable them to take on jobs of higher value as they progress in their careers.

The Singapore Furniture Industries Council Institute (SFIC Institute) has been working with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to develop training programmes to deepen the skills of furniture designers and craftsmen.  These include the Creative Craftsmen Apprenticeship Programme and a Professional Conversion Programme called Project Creation. I urge all of you to continue with these skills-upgrading efforts which have benefitted our workers and helped our companies to compete on the global stage. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Scanteak and Outofstock Design on the launch of your HOLM collection series.  I would also commend A.S. Louken, Foh Foh Company, Redwood Interior, Scanteak, S.C. International and Tools of The Trade for helping to build design capabilities in our design ecosystem.  I wish you every success in your endeavours.

Thank you.

[1]

Source: Department of Statistics, Economic Development Board and Ministry of Manpower

[2]

Source: SFIC-BDO Industry Benchmarking Survey 2013/2014