Media Release MOU between SMa SLA SPRING TLIAP

SMa, TLI-AP, SLA and SPRING TAKE LEAD IN STRENGTHENING SINGAPORE’S SUPPLY CHAIN AND TRANSSHIPMENT HUB CAPABILITIES

- building Supply Chain Management Capabilities amongst Local Manufacturers

- strengthening Singapore’s Transshipment Hub through Competitiveness Studies

30 October 2009 – With rapid globalization, the implementation of a streamlined supply chain process will now take on an integral role in propelling logistics and manufacturing companies in Singapore to move up the value chain. Optimized supply chain processes must be coupled with efficient logistics services. By leveraging on Singapore’s transshipment hub capabilities, logistics companies can effectively support manufacturing companies to significantly enhance their value chains. Identifying gaps and capabilities to upgrade against the competition is a pre-requisite to improve industry competitiveness, be it for growing local markets or for overseas expansion plans.

Pursuant to leapfrog the logistics and manufacturing industry, two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) will be signed. This marked a synergistic collaboration between government, industry associations and a research institute to consolidate their efforts in identifying and promoting supply chain practices suitable for Singapore.

1^st Collaborative MOU - Building Supply Chain Management Capabilities amongst Local Manufacturers

Among the first to leverage on their respective fields of expertise will be an MOU signed between Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa) and The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific (TLI-AP) – a collaboration between the National University of Singapore and The Georgia Institute of Technology, to identify, develop and promote the adoption of supply chain best practices among local manufacturers.

SMa and TLI-AP will launch a competitive study for the manufacturing industry. This new study will first form a high level task force to examine the external environments for threats and opportunities for Singapore, follow by recommendation of some strategic programs that will build on existing strengths within the manufacturing industry to spur the industry up the value chain.

2^nd Collaborative MOU - Strengthening Singapore’s Transshipment Hub through Competitiveness Studies

The second MOU will be signed among TLI-AP, Singapore Logistics Association (SLA) and SPRING Singapore (SPRING) to embark on a competitiveness study assessing the Singapore’s challenges and unique propositions as a transshipment hub.

Jointly launched by these three organizations, the industry-wide study will be conducted to uncover opportunities to strengthen Singapore’s status as a transshipment hub against regional players in air and sea freight. The study will take into account both qualitative and quantitative factors affecting transshipment activities with inputs from the logistics industry. The outcome of the study will identify Singapore’s strengths, weaknesses and actionable areas for improvement and recommend enhanced processes and requisite infrastructure upgrading projects to accelerate Singapore’s transshipment activities.

Mr Victor Tay, Director, Industry Development Group, SPRING, said “Singapore as thriving transshipment hub will position us as an important global supply chain control tower. This will attract manufacturing and logistics companies to set up operations here. It is therefore imperative to continuously improve our supply chain capabilities to maintain our lead. The outcome of both studies will also foster deeper understanding of industry trends and requirements so as to develop industry specific strategies. This collaboration represents an excellent example of how the government, the industries and research institution can work together to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore industries."

Professor Lai Choy Heng, Chairman of TLI-AP Executive Committee and Vice Provost of National University of Singapore, said, “These MOU partnerships align with our vision to transform and upgrade our manufacturing and logistics industry capabilities through the adoption of best practices in supply chain management and enhancement of our transshipment capabilities. TLI-AP, to-date, has assisted numerous enterprises in the industries to optimize their network and improve their operations using our research capabilities.”

“Being an industry association, SMa is constantly reviewing and strategizing cooperation with partners to help improve our manufacturers’ capabilities and seize business opportunities. This unique collaboration with TLI-AP is the right step forward especially in this downturn where we can help our manufacturers streamline their operations for cost advantage,” said Dr Moh Chong Tau, Deputy President of SMa. “I believe through this collaboration, companies can build strong linkage in their supply chain with better information flow,” added Dr Moh

“SLA recognizes that it is important for Singapore to maintain its lead as a premier logistics and transshipment hub. With an in-depth knowledge of the logistics industry, we are glad to be able to play an active and meaningful role in strengthening our competitive advantage.” said Mr Quek Keng Liang, Chairman, SLA. “We see immense value in partnering with TLIAP, an established research institute, and SPRING to collectively identify competitiveness improvement opportunities.”

Leveraging on SPRING’s LEAD Programme, SMa and SLA will gain insights from the competitive study to develop an industry roadmap with strategic projects that can be implemented for the entire industry. This could be either in term of exploiting of new technologies and infrastructure or upgrading manpower capabilities and managerial competence.

Interested companies are encouraged to contact the following departments for more information:

E-Supply Chain Management Council (@SMa) at Tel: (65) 6826 3013 or email: kokkeen@smafederation.org.sg
Enterprise Development Centre @ SMa at Tel: (65) 6826 3020
Singapore Logistics Association at Tel: (65) 64999799
SPRING Singapore at Tel: (65) 6279 3884 or email: kok_yixiong@spring.gov.sg
TLI-AP at Tel: (65) 65166459 or email : albertan@nus.edu.sg

Established since 1932, SMa’s mission is to represent the interest of the Singapore manufacturing community and to drive its competitiveness and sustainable growth through serving industry-specific needs.

SMa is supported by 11 industry groups to serve diverse industry-specific needs, as well as five Centres of Excellence to offer a holistic approach towards improving competitiveness, upgrading skills and capitalizing on new technologies to grow market share. Current membership is more than 2,600 corporate ranging from MNCs to SMEs, and SMa carries out a myriad of activities to enhance the competitive edge of our members.

Spearheading this collaborative initiative is one of its Centres of Excellence, e-Supply Chain Management Council, that promotes IT and e-Supply Chain best practices in the community. Its objectives are to increase the competitiveness of companies and to establish Singapore as the key Collaborative Manufacturing Services Hub in Asia.

[SLA represents the interests of members and is thrust to develop a sound logistics industry and enhance Singapore as a premier regional and international logistics hub. Established since 1973, SLA has a mission to advance professionalism and excellence, and to promote high standards in industry practices.

The steady growth in membership over the years brings its subscription base to 430 companies with diverse scope of logistics activities spanning international freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution operations, container depot operations, transport services, postal parcels, relocations and move management specialists as well as other logistics ancillary support services.

SPRING Singapore is the enterprise development agency for growing innovative companies and fostering a competitive SME sector. SPRING works with partners to help enterprises in financing, capabilities and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. As the national standards and accreditation body, SPRING also develops and promotes internationally-recognised standards and quality assurance to enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade.

Established in 1998 under the Global School House Progam, The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific (TLI – Asia Pacific) is a collaboration between National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Georgia Institute of Technology (GT). Modelled after The Logistics Institute (now known as Supply Chain and Logistics Institute) at GT, the Institute’s vision is to be the premier institute in Asia Pacific nurturing logistics excellence through research and education.

The Institute provides postgraduate and executive education in logistics and supply chain management (SCM), notably the Double Master Degree in Logistics and SCM and the Executive Certificate in SCM. It also undertakes leading-edge research and development in supply chain engineering, technology and management in collaboration with industry; and hosts a regular series of THINK Tables that brings thought leaders in research and industry to discuss contemporary SCM issues, challenges and solutions in a dynamic environment.