How 3 companies in Singapore redefine problems as opportunities

We often hear about what the “the new normal” should be, but we rarely hear about how businesses are getting there in spite of disrupted supply chains, remote working conditions, and changing market needs.

Over a year into the crisis, we take a look at how Singapore-based companies AOS Offshore, Reckitt, and Unilever have tapped on technology, people, and partnerships to build sustained recovery and support their communities.

AOS Offshore: Can’t access equipment you need? Build a solution yourself

Owing to global supply chain disruptions in early 2020, marine and offshore supply specialist AOS Offshore could not procure parts to adapt its Remote Operating Underwater Vehicle (ROV) for different tasks, significantly limiting the work it could take on.

Faced with the possibility of months without regular supplies, AOS came up with a daring idea — to build its own ROV. The company’s Singapore-based tech, engineering, and operator teams collaborated to produce its first ROV in just three months, far shorter than the typical 18 months needed for an operation of this scale and complexity.

The ROV packs in technologies such as high-definition artificial intelligence (AI) imaging, cloud-based storage, as well as sonar and GPS sensors for infrastructure surveys and 3D mapping.

Thanks to the technological agility of its Singapore team, AOS has strengthened its position both in Singapore and the region despite widespread supply chain disruptions. “Everything we do tech-wise is done in Singapore,” affirms Mr David Mugridge, Project Director at AOS. “It’s very much a Singaporean effort.”

Reckitt: Remote work challenging for staff? Understand their needs using data insights

As employees began working from home, global health and hygiene business Reckitt realised that telecommuting affects each staff member differently. Where some lack adequate infrastructure at home, others need to juggle the needs of their families to be more effective.

To identify actionable insights, Reckitt carries out frequent employee surveys across the company’s global operations. Reckitt deploys Glint’s People Success Platform, which uses organisational science, AI, and design thinking to offer real-time visibility on engagement and stress levels. Resulting employee-focused adaptations include flexible work arrangements, online wellness sessions, and tailored training programmes.

Reckitt has also implemented Return to the Workplace global guidelines to ensure that operational safety goes hand-in-hand with staff wellbeing. The guidelines draw on learnings across Reckitt’s markets, including best practices at Reckitt’s Tuas plant as well as the Singapore government’s safety measures.

Unilever: Communities at risk? Distribute essentials and partner up to protect the vulnerable

As the pandemic continues, maintaining high sanitation standards is a key strategy against further outbreaks.

Global consumer goods company Unilever is supporting sanitation efforts of communities around the world during the pandemic. “We are fortunate to be in a position to support with our hygiene and sanitation brands,” says Mr Umesh Shah, CEO of Unilever International, a Singapore-headquartered business arm of Unilever.

In Singapore, Unilever joined hands with the government last year, working with the National Environment Agency to distribute 14,000 hygiene care packages to all hawkers in Singapore. Unilever also donated thousands of hygiene and sanitation essentials to vulnerable groups via non-governmental organisations such as Singapore Red Cross Singapore and Migrant Workers Centre to help protect lives and livelihoods.

As consumer demand shifts online, smaller offline mom-and-pop stores are also suffering drops in sales. In response, Unilever partnered Grab across Southeast Asia to boost demand for its products on services like GrabFood and GrabMart. Orders made on the platform are fulfilled by shops closest to the consumer – supporting the livelihoods of retailers and partners during the pandemic while making Unilever’s products more easily available to consumers. Unilever also supplied hand sanitisers and cleaning products to Grab for use by their drivers to help them go about their work in a safer way.

Across Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, over 250 Unilever virtual stores are fulfilling orders for its ice cream brands via these offline businesses. These measures are helping Unilever deploy its products in a way that creates positive knock-on effects for smaller partners.