Speech by MOS Koh Poh Koon at the Opening Ceremony of Emerson’s Global Additive Manufacturing Centre

​SPEECH BY DR KOH POH KOON, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF EMERSON’S GLOBAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING CENTRE, FRIDAY, 24TH MARCH 2017, 9:30AM

Mr. David Farr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Emerson,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning.

Introduction

1.            It is my pleasure to join you today for the opening ceremony of Emerson’s Global Additive Manufacturing Centre.

Long-standing partnership between Emerson and Singapore

2.            Singapore has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Emerson.  Emerson first established its operations in Singapore in 1965.  Since then, Emerson’s presence in Singapore has grown in scope and scale, employing more than 1,500 people today across high-value activities ranging from manufacturing, research and development, to supply chain management.  Singapore is also the Asia-Pacific headquarters for Emerson Automation Solutions, the company’s largest business segment.

3.            Today, we celebrate the launch of Emerson’s Global Additive Manufacturing Centre, which boasts an integrated, state-of-the-art research and production facility.  This marks another significant milestone in our partnership with Emerson, and attests to the continued attractiveness of Singapore as a location for high value manufacturing activities. 

Technologies such as additive manufacturing are changing the nature of manufacturing

4.            The manufacturing sector is a key pillar of Singapore’s economy, which accounts for around 20 per cent of our GDP and 14 per cent of total employment (around 500,000 workers).  The sector creates good jobs for Singaporeans, and generates positive spill-overs to the rest of the economy, including the services industries.

5.            The nature of manufacturing is also evolving as new technologies such as additive manufacturing (AM) become more commercially-viable. AM encompasses a range of technologies and applications, of which one of the most commonly known is 3D Printing. 

6.            AM has come a long way from a technology that was initially used for prototyping.  According to Wohlers Associates, the global AM industry grew by 26 per cent between 2014 and 2015, to over US$5.1 billion.  More manufacturers are beginning to see the benefits of AM, which include reduced material wastage, shorter time-to-market, and the creation of complex parts that are challenging to manufacture with conventional processes.  

7.            Emerson’s Global Additive Manufacturing Centre will develop new applications to enable the 3D printing of complex parts within process equipment, such as control valves.  This is a good example of how companies are preparing themselves for opportunities in AM.

The Government is committed to preparing our manufacturing sector for the future.

8.            The Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) has identified advanced manufacturing as one of the key growth areas for Singapore, and recommended that we build a globally competitive manufacturing sector, at around 20 per cent of GDP, over the medium term.  To do so, we will continue to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies, forge public-private partnerships, and develop a strong Singaporean workforce to meet industry demands, in line with the changing complexion of manufacturing.

Investing in advanced manufacturing technologies

9.            Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 (RIE 2020) plan, we have set aside S$3.2 billion for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering to develop technological capabilities for our manufacturing and engineering sectors.  This will involve investment in cross-cutting technologies such as AM, Robotics and Automation, Digital Manufacturing, as well as Advanced Materials.

Forging public-private partnerships

10.         Public-private partnerships also play an important role in our efforts to transform the manufacturing sector.  The Government will continue to encourage partnerships between public and private sector stakeholders, including our Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs), Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Research Institutes (RIs).  Sectors such as Precision Engineering and Aerospace can benefit from advanced manufacturing technologies such as AM, and we will continue to encourage technology adoption by our companies through partnerships with our RIs and IHLs.  The Model Factories, which I recently announced during the recent Committee of Supply debate, is a good example of such partnerships.  These Model Factories, to be hosted at our research institutes, the Singapore Institute for Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), will provide an environment for companies to experience and learn about advanced manufacturing technologies.

Developing a strong Singaporean workforce

11.         As we transform our manufacturing sector, we also need to equip our workforce with the requisite skills to benefit from the new job roles created.  Last year, Workforce Singapore partnered our local research institutes and tertiary institutions to launch a series of advanced manufacturing master classes, covering topics such as AM, Robotics, and the Industrial Internet-of-Things.  The programme has enabled our professionals to keep up with the latest technological developments and deepen their skill sets to take advantage of the new job opportunities.

12.         On this note, I am pleased to learn that Emerson continues to invest in our engineering talent, and has partnered Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to set up a joint laboratory to co-develop technology and train talent to enhance safety, competitiveness and innovation in the control valve industry.

13.         Emerson will be sponsoring two of our engineers, Brian Lee and Huang De Jun, for further studies in AM at NTU.  Through the Industrial Postgraduate Programme, Brian and De Jun will have the opportunity to not only pursue their PhDs in AM, but also receive industry relevant hands-on training at the Emerson Global Additive Manufacturing Centre. 

Conclusion

14.         In closing, let me again congratulate the Emerson team on the opening of the Global Additive Manufacturing Centre.  I am confident that this new Centre will greatly support our efforts to prepare our manufacturing sector for the future, and better position Emerson for the opportunities in AM.  We look forward to deepening our long-standing partnership with Emerson.

15.         Thank you. 

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