Jurong Innovation District (JID) is fast gaining traction as a one-stop advanced manufacturing campus clustering researchers, technology and training providers, and Factories of the Future. Industry 4.0 champions such as Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology and National Metrology Centre, Bosch Rexroth, ISDN, Flowserve and Siemens are setting up their facilities in JID, joining A*STAR’s Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), McKinsey Digital Capability Centre, PBA Group, Sodick Singapore Techno Centre and Shimano as part of JID’s Advanced Manufacturing ecosystem.
Masterplanned to house the full manufacturing value chain, advanced manufacturers in JID can leverage on the growing ecosystem of R&D, training and capability development, and technology expertise to collaborate and grow together. For example, Siemens will set up their first-of-its-kind Advance Manufacturing Transformation Center (AMTC) to support the digitalisation and transformation of manufacturing facilities in ASEAN. The AMTC will showcase state-of-the-art Siemens digital enterprise solutions, such as tools to create digital twin facility models to simulate and evaluate its operations in a real manufacturing environment. AMTC will also house Siemens’ first Additive Manufacturing Experience Center (AMEC) outside Germany, where companies can experience an end-to-end additive manufacturing production line with Siemens’ technology partners.
Mr Ng Lang, CEO of JTC, said, “The advanced manufacturing ecosystem in JID is shaping up very well. We are happy to see a campus with a growing ecosystem of researchers, technology and training providers to support the adoption of advanced manufacturing solutions in Singapore. The campus will not only benefit Singapore’s industries, but has the potential to serve the region at a time when technology is transforming the manufacturing sector. We hope the JID community can grow collectively to become leaders in advanced manufacturing.”
Mr Raimund Klein, Head of Siemens Digital Industries ASEAN, said, “JID presents itself as an attractive location for the setup of Siemens’ first Additive Manufacturing Experience Centre (AMEC) outside of Germany. The anchoring of players in a common space will allow us to better support manufacturing facilities on their journey of adoption, transition and transformation towards advanced manufacturing.”
Bosch Rexroth Regional Training centre in JID will administer a standardised training programme following the AHK (German Chamber of Industry and Commerce) framework, to expose manufacturers with the application of Industry 4.0 technologies and practices. Bosch Rexroth will also collaborate with companies to testbed Industry 4.0 projects at the Centre to support implementation of solutions and develop companies’ expertise in the process.
Mr Roland Keller, Director of Bosch Rexroth, Regional President of Bosch Rexroth ASEAN and Oceania, said, “Advanced manufacturing demands skills that are complex and cross-functional. It requires an employee to not only understand and integrate processes, machines and technology at the factory shop floor, but also convert generated data into enterprise-level information for decision makers to make informed decisions. By locating in JID where the latest advanced manufacturing activities are taking place, we hope to contribute our engineering expertise to meet this changing demand in the manufacturing workforce.”
A key feature of JID that resonates well with global manufacturers is its strong sustainability theme in its development blueprint. Set in a natural environment, the district targets 40% green coverage with parks, lush greenery and biodiversity for the community, while an 11km car-free sky corridor with dedicated lanes for pedestrians, cyclists and autonomous shuttles aims to support a car-lite environment. Its underground logistics network - the first in Singapore - will reduce traffic congestion by moving heavy vehicles underground. The district cooling system and estate operations centre will monitor and minimise energy consumption across the entire District.
The 600-hectare industrial district strategically located along Singapore’s western manufacturing belt is expected to create over 95,000 new jobs.
