DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Opening of Heptagon's Ang Mo Kio Facility

Mr. Alexander Everke, CEO of ams
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,    

Congratulations to ams and Heptagon on the opening of this new impressive Ang Mo Kio manufacturing facility.
 
Together with ams’ planned expansion at NanoSpace @ Tampines, it is an example of the things we aspire to do more of in Singapore: the most advanced manufacturing processes, R&D-driven production of new, transformational products, and the creation of quality jobs. It is also an example of how progress is made through collaborative relationships, in this instance between a world leader in sensor technologies and the EDB and other government agencies.

Singapore continues to be Heptagon’s sole manufacturing site. Heptagon’s investment of S$500m in this 300,000 sq ft facility and equipment represents the largest investment in the Precision Engineering industry over the last decade. 

Transformation of Precision Engineering Industry and Jobs

This new facility is an example of how the industry and jobs will change.  

The business of Precision Engineering will be very different in just a few years’ time. Products are becoming more sophisticated, in terms of precision, miniaturisation and configurability. They are increasingly deployed in integrated systems. And development will be more agile as tools like 3D printing and augmented reality become more accessible.

Likewise, the jobs in the sector will evolve. Workers will typically operate in a systems environment - optimising integrated systems, including both hardware and software. And more and more of these jobs will be carried out in laboratory-like environments, or highly automated clean rooms.  

An investment in technology and skills

This facility is also a good example of how we should help workers adjust to this transformation. 

Our approach is to transform industries and jobs together. In October last year, the Government launched the Precision Engineering Industry Transformation Map (“ITM”).

• The ITM was itself a result of close collaboration with industry. Through active engagement of companies and what they see as demand areas, we identified seven sectors within Precision Engineering sectors with rapid growth potential in Singapore. As a leading player in optics, one of the key growth area identified, Heptagon is part of this vision.

Heptagon’s expansion of manufacturing leveraged on the strong IP it has developed in Singapore through the years. Further, ams will be reinforcing the company’s value chain for sensor manufacturing in Singapore by investing in semiconductor-based sensors R&D and wafer fabrication at nanoSpace in Tampines. Products from ams’ new plant will flow to Heptagon’s facility to be assembled into the final sensor solution.

We will do well by continuing to collaborate, so that companies like Heptagon, and our citizens, stay ahead.

DPM Tharman

What is ultimately critical is the way these investments create demand for high-skilled jobs in the precision engineering industry.  A core part of our industry transformation strategies is how we can reskill, often rapidly, an existing workforce to the new jobs being created.

• Heptagon has partnered Workforce Singapore and co-developed two 6-month Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) for Component OEM Engineer and Assistant Engineer.  The target is to help train around 160 locals over 2 years.
• The PCPs got off the ground in Jan 2017 and comprise a minimum of three facilitated classroom training modules and, more importantly, intensive on-the-job-training.
•  But speed is also critical in upgrading skills. The PCP training meets Heptagon’s need for a rapid ramp-up in developing skilled local workforce.  The PCP programme and curriculum was jointly developed within four months.  This is much faster than what is possible in changing traditional educational curricula.  It is also flexible in its intake - working with people from quite a diverse range of sectors and starting points.

One such example of how the PCPs work is Mr Low Chim Peng. Before joining Heptagon, Mr Low had worked for over 10 years as an equipment maintenance technical specialist. He was unemployed for a while, before being hired by Heptagon in Nov 2016.

• His previous job was to manually re-configure and load the programmes of the testing equipment for new product lines. 
•  In a more advanced manufacturing process, such as the one employed at Heptagon, such re-configuration can be done much more quickly with the aid of computers. Mr Low’s new job instead requires him to work with engineers in daily operations to reduce defects and improve yield, as well as to support the introduction of new products and train production line operators. 
• It amounts to a more in-depth understanding of the manufacturing processes involved, and a higher-skilled job for Mr Low.
• Through undergoing the PCP, Mr Low will be armed with the skills to facilitate his transition to this new role of Associate Engineer, Process Engineering.

It’s just one example, but this is what it takes to upgrade jobs for Singaporeans. I want to thank Heptagon for collaborating with the Government in upgrading skills and creating new jobs. 

Conclusion

While today is proof of the Heptagon’s success, we all know this is a journey and a highly competitive one. We will do well by continuing to collaborate, so that companies like Heptagon, and our citizens, stay ahead.