Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong at the groundbreaking of Collins Aerospace

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you here at the groundbreaking ceremony of Collins Aerospace’s new manufacturing facility.

2. This milestone marks the start of an exciting new chapter in RTX and its subsidiary Collins Aerospace’s partnership with Singapore.

   1. Collins was one of the first aerospace companies to establish a presence in Singapore more than 50 years ago.

   2. Back then, the world had fewer than 10,000 commercial aircraft in service. Air travel was a privilege, enjoyed by just 300 million passengers a year.

   3. Global aviation has transformed dramatically since the 1970s. Today, there are close to 30,000 commercial aircraft in operation, with about 5 billion passengers annually.

   4. Likewise, Collins has grown in size and scale in Singapore.

      1. Its current plant in Bedok is the sole manufacturing site for complex gears used in a wide array of modern commercial aircraft platforms and is therefore an important node within Collins’ global manufacturing network.

      2. Among its major customers are key airframers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer and Gulfstream.

3. Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of the construction of Collins’ new, state-of-the-art facility in Seletar Aerospace Park.

   1. Compared to its existing plant, this new facility will adopt an entirely new workflow based on Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS).

   2. By leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies, such as advanced automation and sensors, this new FMS-based workflow allows parts to be processed across variable pathways, instead of on fixed pathways.

   3. This will not only allow the facility to be more efficient and productive, but also to operate with greater resilience across production lines.

   4. It will allow Collins to double its manufacturing volumes by 2033, and introduce high-value component assembly work to Singapore.

   5. I am glad that this new facility will be the first in Collins’ global network to adopt such innovations, and establish itself as a Lighthouse Factory.

4. Amidst the rise of technologies such as AI and machine learning as well as automation and robotics, we want to keep Singapore competitive as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

   1. We do not set out to compete on cost alone; instead, we differentiate ourselves through our emphasis on quality, innovation, reliability and long-term value.

   2. We are committed to building strong industry ecosystems that integrate R&D, advanced manufacturing and skilled talent to support global companies like Collins to establish best-in-class facilities here in Singapore.

   3. To better prepare for a more uncertain, volatile and even disruptive global environment, we also want to work with companies here to strengthen their supply chains.

5. Through such win-win partnerships, we can create good jobs and opportunities for our people.

   1. I am glad to note that Collins will set up a new Manufacturing Engineering team of 60 persons in the new facility with deep manufacturing process expertise in FMS and Industry 4.0 technologies. This will be the first of such teams in Collins’ global network.

   2. Collins will also upskill its existing workers at its Bedok plant, so that they will be prepared for the shift to the new facility.

   3. This is on top of existing initiatives that Collins has put in place to help its employees advance their skillsets.

      1. Some, like Mr Zakariah Rasidi and Mr Koh Soon Xiong, are pursuing degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, with the support of the RTX Employee Scholarship Programme.

      2. Others like Mr Shadiq Md Shah and Mr Eric Lam started out as engineers and have since grown to become managers leading teams of their own.

   4. By working together between the Government and industry, we can ensure that this investment will continue to create good jobs, deepen local capabilities and uplift our aerospace workforce to be ready for the skills of the future.

6. Once again, let me congratulate RTX and Collins on the groundbreaking of this facility.

   1. When ready, this facility will enhance RTX’s contribution to our aerospace sector.

   2. This will support Singapore’s ambition to be a leading air hub, by strengthening our position as a global node for aerospace manufacturing.

   3. I look forward to deepening our partnership with RTX and Collins in the decades ahead, and to bring new opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans.

7. Thank you.