Mr. Katsunori Maruyama, President of SMC Corporation

Mr. Peter Driver, Chairman of SMC Asia Oceania Zone

Mr. David Wong, Managing Director, SMC Pneumatics (SEA) Pte Ltd

Ladies and Gentlemen

  

Good morning.

 

2 Manufacturers around the world rely on precision engineered components and equipment to produce quality products on a daily basis. Investing in the right technology and equipment is therefore critical to the success of the business. Hence, SMC’s expanded presence in Singapore will augment the strong supporting base of our precision engineering industry.

 

3 In 2007, precision engineering contributed to more than S$24 billion in manufacturing output and S$7.1 billion in value added, employing more than 99,000 workers. Also, precision engineering acts as a key enabler to the growth of many key industry clusters such as semiconductor equipment, medical devices, and the aerospace, marine and offshore sectors.  High value-added precision engineering activities require deep technological know-how, special skill sets, supply chain efficiency and intellectual property protection.  To this end, the Singapore Government launched a S$76m Precision Engineering Manpower programme to train 2000 more specialists and grow the pool of future leadership talent in this sector who will contribute to the design, development and manufacturing of complex innovative products. 

 

4 In addition to manufacturing, Singapore can also contribute to companies who are looking to root their regional or international headquarters in Singapore. Out of 7,000 multi-national companies in Singapore, more than half have chosen us as a base for a diverse range of headquarters activities. Companies recognize our strong engineering capabilities, robust Intellectual Property Protection regime and good R&D infrastructure that are critical to supporting knowledge and innovation-intensive activities.

 

5 Singapore’s excellent logistics connectivity and access to regional markets, leveraging on our extensive air and sea routes, make Singapore a choice destination for supply chain management and control. Recognition of our world-class logistics infrastructure comes from the Changi Airport being consistently voted as the world’s best airport as well as having the world’s busiest container port. In addition, companies tap into our high quality workforce of local talent pool, well supported by the ability to tap on talent regionally and globally through our business-friendly immigration rules. This enables companies to use Singapore as a hub for regional management, finance, IT, HR, engineering and other headquarters functions. I welcome SMC to exploit our strengths further for greater business growth.

 

6 On this note, let me congratulate the management and staff of SMC on the opening of this new facility. SMC and Singapore share a 30-year partnership that we greatly value. Once again, I thank you for your trust and confidence in Singapore and wish you every success. It is now my pleasure to declare SMC’s new facility officially open.

 

7 Thank you.