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Company receives Singapore’s highest corporate honour on 15th anniversary of Award
1. Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in air, has been conferred the Distinguished Partner in Progress (DPIP) Award by Professor S Jayakumar, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Co-ordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Law.
2. In his speech at the award ceremony, Professor Jayakumar said: “Since the 1950s when it first set up its representative office in Singapore, Rolls-Royce has been our partner in progress, growing in tandem with our economy through the decades. It continues to be a key player in the development of Singapore’s aerospace and marine industries, and has actively contributed to Singapore’s R&D scene. We look forward to working closely with Rolls-Royce, to seek opportunities for more activities here across the value chain that will be of mutual benefit to Rolls-Royce and Singapore.”
3. Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce plc, who accepted the award from Professor Jayakumar, said: “Our partnership with Singapore increasingly reflects our global activity and Rolls-Royce is especially proud to receive this prestigious award in recognition of this partnership. We have had a presence in Singapore for 50 years and now all four of our global business sectors – civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy - are well established here. We also enjoy a strong relationship with Singapore Airlines, beginning in 1995 when the Trent 800 was selected for its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft. Our relationship with Singapore has been further strengthened through delivery of additional Trent engine types to SIA, and partnerships with Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), Silkair and all the budget carriers operating out of Singapore, through the supply of V2500 engines for their respective fleets of A320 aircrafts.
“Rolls-Royce has benefited from the valuable business opportunities, excellent talent pool and solid infrastructure that Singapore offers, and in turn, we have been able to contribute to the phenomenal growth of the country through our joint ventures and research & development collaborations. We look forward to many years of further development and growth with our partners here.”
4. The company’s relationship with Singapore started in the 1950s, when it set up a representative office. Since then, Rolls-Royce has diversified and expanded its operations to span the full value chain of activities, from maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), sales & marketing, warehousing, headquarters functions, procurement to research & development (R&D).
5. One of its most significant contributions has been its role in enhancing Singapore’s status as a global aviation hub. Rolls-Royce is a major player in Singapore’s aerospace industry, accounting for over ten per cent of the country’s aerospace output. Through the company’s joint ventures with key local industry partner SIA Engineering Company – Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL) and International Engine Component Overhaul (IECO), Rolls-Royce currently employs over 800 people in Singapore, accounting for nearly five per cent of the total industry workforce. Today, Singapore enjoys international recognition as the largest and most comprehensive MRO hub in Asia, with 25 per cent market share in the region.
6. Rolls-Royce is also committed to R&D, being one of the UK’s top ten investors in R&D. It has been active in carrying out R&D activities in Singapore, through initiatives such as the setting up of Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems to develop and commercialise solid oxide fuel cell products, and the Rolls-Royce Singapore Advanced Technology Centre together with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and its research institutes to look into a broad portfolio of technology fields.
7. Mr Jonathan Asherson, the group’s Regional Director for Singapore, said: “Our choice of Singapore as a regional hub for many of our activities stems not only from its position as a world-class business and manufacturing centre in the rapidly-growing Asian market, but also the mature and rewarding partnership we have with the EDB.”
8. Beyond business and industry, Rolls-Royce has also displayed a high level of corporate social responsibility by participating in various community projects. In February this year, Rolls-Royce launched a $100,000 scholarship scheme in conjunction with Nanyang Technological University’s aerospace engineering degree programme.
9. Rolls-Royce’s senior executives have also contributed to Singapore’s economy and community. Sir John Rose has advised Singapore on its economic strategies as a member of the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) International Advisory Council since 2003. Mr Jonathan Asherson has sat on the councils of the Singapore Business Federation and the Singapore British Business Council. He has also previously served as the president of the British Chamber of Commerce, and is currently on the advisory panels of Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Board of Trustees of Youth Business Singapore.
10. Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director of EDB, added: “This year marks both EDB’s 45th anniversary and the 15th anniversary of the DPIP Award. Singapore would not be able to achieve this level of economic success today without the continuing commitment and support from our investors. Rolls-Royce is one such partner which has journeyed with us through the years, contributing significantly to Singapore's economic development.”
11. The annual DPIP Award was initiated by EDB in 1991 to recognise companies who have made exemplary contributions to Singapore in the economic, social and community arenas. Rolls-Royce joins 21 other leading international corporations who have been conferred this prestigious award since 1991.
For media queries, please contact:
EDB
Ms Vanessa Wan
Head, Marketing Communications
DID: 65-6832 6677
Mobile: 65-9839 3439
Email: vanessa_wan@edb.gov.sg
Ms Ng Hui Bing
Senior Officer, Marketing Communications
DID: 65-6832 6345
Mobile: 65-9117 9792
Email: hui_bing_ng@edb.gov.sg
Rolls-Royce
Mr James Acheson Gray
Managing Director, Grayling
Tel: 65-6325 4606
Mobile: 65-9831 7810
Email: jag@sg.grayling.com
Ms Soon Li Shan
Account Manager, Grayling
Tel: 65-6325 4606
Mobile: 65-9748 2101
Email: lishan.soon@sg.grayling.com |
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