Asia’s leading advanced manufacturing hub Jurong Innovation District (JID) has attracted about S$420 million of new investments over the past year, despite the global pandemic. Master-planned and developed by JTC, the 600-hectare JID is shaping up well with more joining the full manufacturing value chain of research institutes and capabilities developer, technology and training providers, and advanced manufacturers.
Mr Tan Boon Khai, CEO of JTC, said, “The ecosystem in Jurong Innovation District is growing collectively and going beyond to serve the region as an advanced manufacturing hub. We continue to build strong partnerships with industry players, trade associations and academia, creating more opportunities for companies to leverage the R&D, training and capability development, and technology expertise in JID to accelerate their next phase of business transformation. We are happy to welcome more players to the community and scale-up the adoption of advanced manufacturing solutions in Singapore and regionally.”
New “Queen Bee” and Global Companies Strengthen Singapore’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem in Jurong Innovation District
“Queen Bee” company, Hyundai Motor Group, is setting up its new innovation facility in JID, together with a new cluster of advanced manufacturing companies including Makino, DMG MORI, Konica Minolta, and Fanuc, joining existing players such as Bosch Rexroth, Siemens, Sodick Singapore Techno Centre, and Shimano to strengthen the JID ecosystem further. The Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy (AMTA), an industry-led national programme office which aims to future-proof and enhance the competitiveness of Singapore’s manufacturing sector, will be sited within the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) facilities at JID. The new entrants reinforce JID’s position as Asia’s leading advanced manufacturing hub, and demonstrate the confidence companies have in Singapore’s long-term fundamentals amidst the global pandemic.
Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre in Singapore (HMGICS), an open innovation lab, will develop future mobility technologies for expansion into global markets. Ready by end 2022, the HMGICS will revolutionise the future mobility value chain. This platform will integrate latest Industry 4.0 smart technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics.
Mr Jung Hong Bum, Senior Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Jurong Innovation District has the right mix of advanced manufacturers, academic institutions, technology providers and service, making it an ideal location to create new ideas and test-bed innovative solutions. With Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre, we hope to encourage more collaborations with industry partners, and when ideas are proven to be successful, it can be scaled globally.”
Konica Minolta, a leading business and manufacturer focusing on the future workplace, will set up a new regional headquarter in JID to showcase the innovative technologies needed for businesses to stay resilient now and into the future. This will be a centre of creative minds, with a wide-ranging setup that shares its vision for businesses and industries. Fanuc, one of the world’s largest Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and industrial robot manufacturers with strength in robotics capabilities, will also introduce its new centre in JID. The facility will provide CNC and robotics equipment maintenance and servicing, as well as showcase its newest CNC and robotics technology, bringing in the next generation factory automation and IoT solutions to Singapore. Located within JID’s Bulim Square, both facilities will be ready by the first quarter of 2023.
The additive manufacturing ecosystem in JID is set to expand further. For example, DMG MORI will set up their new facility by November this year to provide technology development and technical support for its machine tools, systems and software, as well additive manufacturing equipment. Ready by end 2021, Makino’s Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will offer additive manufacturing prototyping and consultancy services, as well as conduct trainings to support adoption of 3D-printing technology by industry players.
To uplift additive manufacturing capabilities, NAMIC, the national additive manufacturing accelerator helping to connect industry, researchers and public agencies, will collaborate with JTC and the JID community to support the proliferation and adoption of 3D printing among businesses. It will share about 3D printing applications to companies’ activities and acts as an alternative solution to solve problem statements through regular workshops and industry engagement sessions.
William Goh, Head of Additive Manufacturing, Makino Asia Pte Ltd, said, “Jurong Innovation District is a one-stop advanced manufacturing hub and home to a vibrant ecosystem of R&D centres, capability developers, solution enablers and innovation adopters. By locating Makino’s Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence here, we hope to foster partnerships with more industry partners and institutions. Businesses can have new opportunities to cross-collaborate and leverage each other’s expertise and knowledge to advance their additive manufacturing capabilities and strengthen competitiveness.”
AMTA is supported by A*STAR, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). Its addition to JID will contribute to the continuous training, upskilling and re-skilling of Singapore’s manufacturing workforce. AMTA’s key objectives include fore-sighting of emerging skills and knowledge areas in advanced manufacturing, charting advanced manufacturing training in Singapore, and facilitating the development of new courses and curriculum.
