Singapore's six WEF Lighthouse Factories: How they’re shaping the future of manufacturing in Southeast Asia

A World Economic Forum (WEF) “Lighthouse” designation is a clear benchmark for state-of-the-art manufacturing excellence. Sites designated as a member of the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) are independently assessed and recognised for scaling Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies — from artificial intelligence (AI) to advanced robotics — in ways that deliver proven results across productivity, sustainability, and workforce development.

Since its launch in 2018, the number of WEF Lighthouses – as they are commonly described - has grown from 16 sites to 201 across 30 countries and 35 subsectors. Manufacturers in the network typically achieve return on investment (ROI) of two to three times within three years, and four to five times within five years. More recent cohorts are transforming even faster, reporting ROI within 10–20 months — around 25–50 per cent quicker than earlier pioneers. Additionally, the latest WEF Lighthouses achieved, on average, a 40 per cent increase in labour productivity and nearly halved lead times, with successful use cases replicated across global networks far faster than before. These facilities have moved beyond pilot projects to enterprise-wide implementation of advanced technologies, typically achieving significant improvements in metrics like cost reduction, quality enhancement, and environmental impact.

Singapore is proud to host the highest concentration of WEF Lighthouses in a Southeast Asia, manufacturing semiconductors to life science instruments and consumer goods. The six factories are key manufacturing nodes for leading companies Agilent, Coca-Cola, HP, Infineon and Micron, with GlobalFoundries being the latest addition in September 2025. Their presence in Singapore shows how manufacturers can get support to adopt, apply and scale successful Industry 4.0 technologies to drive efficiency and sustainability.
 

Learn about the six facilities in Singapore:

Agilent Technologies
 

Agilent’s Singapore facility was recognised as a WEF Lighthouse in 2022. The site simplifies high-mix, high-precision instrument manufacturing by deploying digital twins, machine learning, and AI to meet rising customer demand, becoming the first analytical and clinical laboratory technology company worldwide to be recognised by the Forum.

Over 150 IIoT stations with Agilent-designed AI algorithms were implemented for predictive testing. These systems learn from previous test results, identify patterns and facilitate automated testing. Robotics perform highly complex tasks, cutting cycle time by 30 per cent, while AI-driven visual inspections optimize quality control. By embracing 4IR technologies, the site has increased productivity by 60 per cent and output by 80 per cent, while advancing sustainability through renewable energy and upskilling its workforce into future-ready AI talent.

Read about how Agilent’s partnership with Singapore contract manufacturer ETLA has reduced manufacturing lead times.

The Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola’s concentrate manufacturing plant was added to WEF’s GLN in 2024. Facing rising demand and product variety, the site implemented AI-powered demand forecasting linked to scheduling, robotics in packaging, and digital tools for complex runs. The site logged over 5,000 hours of training through Coca-Cola’s global digital academy and ran internal exchange programmes across 18 sites, ensuring that employees at every level were equipped to sustain new systems.

The efforts saw throughput increase by 28 per cent and labour productivity by 70 per cent. Inventory shortages fell by 80 per cent with on-time deliveries improving by 31 per cent. At the same time, indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were reduced by 34 per cent.
 

GlobalFoundries

GlobalFoundries’ 300mm semiconductor fabrication plant was recognised as a WEF Lighthouse in 2025 for its enterprise-wide adoption of digital and AI-enabled solutions. The site deployed machine learning for predictive maintenance, quality control, and workflow optimisation, while remote support tools reduced downtime and improved efficiency. This accelerated GF’s ability to deliver differentiated, essential semiconductor chips that power AI growth and adoption while meeting the demands of fast-evolving markets such as mobile, automotive and IoT.

The successful deployment of digital solutions has also led to the creation of new roles, with employees advancing their capabilities in data-driven environments and stepping into leadership roles in smart manufacturing.

More than 60 transformation use cases have been scaled since 2020, supported by partnerships with universities and solution providers to co-develop smart manufacturing solutions and grow Singapore’s pool of digital talent.

These resulted in an increase in labour productivity by 40 per cent and cut new product prototyping time by 30 per cent, reinforcing GF Singapore’s role as a key node in the company’s global semiconductor footprint.

Learn about GlobalFoundries fab expansion in Singapore
 

HP Inc

HP Inc’s Singapore facility earned the WEF Lighthouse recognition in 2021 for transforming a traditionally labour-intensive operation into a fully digitised, automated and data-driven production environment. The company’s approach centred on four pillars: Advance automation, Digitalisation (VR/AR and Industrial Internet of Things [IIoT]), Additive Manufacturing and Data Analytics (Machine Learning & AI). The WEF Lighthouse recognition is the culmination of the development done out of the Smart Manufacturing Application and Research Centre (SMARC) – a Centre set-up in 2017 to develop and implement new technologies into its manufacturing process.

On HP’s Falcon line which produces printheads and cartridges for industrial, commercial, and 3D printers, the company deployed robots and autonomous vehicles to relieve operators of repetitive and heavy tasks, while AI-enabled inspection systems detect print defects at a pixel level. A plant-wide IIoT network now connects machines and sensors for real-time visibility, 24/7 monitoring and management of the line. Additive manufacturing has further increased flexibility by producing parts and fixtures on demand, reducing downtime from days to hours. Predictive analytics and machine learning models are also optimising quality checks and line set-ups, lowering waste and improving precision.

As a result, HP Singapore’s Falcon line recorded a 20 per cent reduction in manufacturing costs and a 70 per cent improvement in both productivity and quality.

Hear from HP President and CEO Enrique Lores on Singapore’s role in HP’s future
 

Infineon Technologies
 

Infineon's Singapore backend manufacturing plant achieved WEF Lighthouse certification in 2020 for its focus on advanced manufacturing within the semiconductor value chain. The facility is an Industry Lighthouse for the successful transformation of high-volume, high-mix manufacturing through the use of Industry 4.0 tools.

The site integrated AI, robotics, and advanced analytics to delivered significant improvements in productivity and quality. In addition, it increased Infineon’s agility in responding to dynamic market demand. All production processes in the factory from production order scheduling to material transfer are also fully automated.

Today, the Infineon Singapore backend site is going towards an autonomous manufacturing.

Read about how Infineon is furthering co-innovation in Singapore
 

Micron Technology
 

Micron's Singapore facility was among the first in the country to receive WEF Lighthouse recognition in 2020, subsequently earning additional recognition as a Sustainability Lighthouse.

Micron’s Singapore fabs and assembly/test operations are central to the company’s global NAND flash memory operations. The semiconductor fabrication facility implemented a comprehensive suite of advanced technologies, integrating big data infrastructure with IIoT systems to enable artificial intelligence and data science solutions across operations. Advanced analytics for process optimisation with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) reduced time to ramp new products by 50 per cent, while deep learning optical-defect detection created a 2 per cent yield improvement. Between 2018 and 2021, output increased by 270 per cent, while resources consumed per gigabyte produced fell by 45 per cent. These results were enabled by a robust big-data infrastructure, AI-powered yield improvement, and smart water and energy systems. These achievements earned Micron recognition as both a Digital and a Sustainability Lighthouse — one of the few worldwide.

Read about Micron’s new HBM advanced packaging facility in Singapore
 

Here’s four ways in which Singapore enables advanced manufacturing
 

1) Highly skilled talent

Through higher education, internships, upskilling and remaining open to complementary global talent, Singapore is ensuring it has a robust pool and pipeline of manufacturing talent. About 35 per cent of the tertiary graduates annually have received a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, with two universities – the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) ranked among the world’s top 20 in engineering. For employees, they can upskill through schemes such as SkillsFuture and Career Conversion Programmes to take on new roles, while those still in school can hone their skills and gain industry exposure through Work-Study pathways and the ITE Technician Support Scheme.
 

2) Ready infrastructure and resources

Manufacturers in Singapore benefit from reliable, high-quality infrastructure that reduces operational risk. JTC is Singapore’s lead government agency for developing industrial infrastructure, including specialised parks and innovation districts that support advanced manufacturing. It manages around 86 per cent of Singapore’s industrial land, with its estates and business parks strategically located near key transport hubs to provide seamless connectivity to regional and global markets.

The Specialised parks such as Wafer Fab Park and Tuas Biomedical Park come with built-in utilities, while the Jurong Innovation District enables companies to co-locate research and development (R&D), training, and production in one hub. Access to competitively priced NEWater — a form of highly purified recycled water produced through advanced treatment processes — supports water-intensive sectors like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

Singapore’s advanced manufacturing R&D ecosystem connects companies with a wide network of institutes, universities, and corporate labs. Agencies like A*STAR anchor dedicated centres such as the Model Factory and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre, where firms can test new technologies and co-develop solutions with researchers. This close partnership between industry and research accelerates the translation of ideas into industrial applications, helping manufacturers shorten development cycles and stay globally competitive.

3) Business-friendly environment

Singapore’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem makes it easier for companies to set up, operate, and innovate. Strong intellectual property protection gives firms the confidence to base high-value R&D here, while Singapore’s well-connected supply chains ensure efficient access to global markets. Streamlined regulatory processes increase efficiency while a strong base of global Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms and technology providers ensures access to the latest design and automation expertise. Public–private platforms such as National additive manufacturing innovation cluster (NAMIC), the National Robotics Programme (NRP), and A*STAR’s AI CoE for Manufacturing (AIMfg) allow firms to test, adopt, and scale Industry 4.0 solutions in real-world conditions, accelerating transformation and reducing execution risk.
 

4) Support to operate more sustainably

As manufacturers transition to greener operations, Singapore provides both policy support and ease of access to a supportive and ecosystem of partners with capabilities to support your sustainability journey. The city state’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 targets is driven by a variety of government and public-private sector collaborative initiatives, such as a whole-of-nation movement the Singapore Green Plan 2030and a S$10 billion Future Energy Fund intended to resource investments in new infrastructure for Singapore’s energy transition efforts.

Manufacturers based in Singapore benefit from ease of access to a diverse ecosystem of more than 140 carbon services and trading firms in Singapore, supporting their move towards cost-effective sustainable operations. These firms include consultancies providing low carbon advisory services, strategy development, carbon accounting, digital measurement, reporting and verification firms and engineering companies for solution delivery.
 

Download the Manufacturing the Future from Singapore Guide to discover how Singapore can support global manufacturers seeking growth and impact.