Doug Green

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Solving tapping challenges with smart tooling

In the world of precision manufacturing, the smallest of inefficiencies can create costly production roadblocks. For PT Sparta Guna Sentosa, an Indonesian automotive and industrial components manufacturer, one roadblock came in the form of persistent long chips during tapping operations — an issue that had long affected production efficiency and tool reliability. But through collaboration and the application of advanced solutions from metal cutting and manufacturing solutions manufacturer Sandvik Coromant, solving that challenge has unlocked new levels of productivity, cost savings and opportunity. Founded in 1986 in Bandung, Indonesia, PT Sparta Guna Sentosa started out servicing and manufacturing components for the textile industry. As of 2025, it manufactures a broad range of high-quality mechanical parts, such as pins, bushes and shafts for diverse industrial applications. Backed by advanced automation and machining capabilities, Sparta Guna Sentosa has positioned itself as quality-driven supplier. However, even the most well-equipped production lines can face technical challenges. Understanding the problem For years, the company struggled with long chip formation during tapping, a common but significant machining challenge. This issue led to several complications, including frequent machine downtime caused by chip jamming. As a result, scrap rates and rework increased, tool life became unpredictable and the risk of breakage rose. These problems compounded rather than occurred in isolation — worn tools accelerated chip buildup, requiring repeated spindle cleaning and further halting production. Despite multiple attempts to address the root cause, the company struggled to find a consistent and effective solution. Partnership that drives productivity Having already built a strong relationship with Sandvik Coromant through regular use of its drills and inserts, PT Sparta Guna Sentosa turned to the metal cutting expert for help resolving these tapping issues. Sandvik Coromant stepped in and proposed a live five-day trial using its CoroTap DT100-PM104DA-M8P1PL taps, featuring innovative chip-breaking geometry. […]

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Reshaping global lubricant supply chains: Trump-Era tariffs driving industry pivot towards Asia

With the global lubricants industry still adjusting to the lasting impact of U.S. trade policy enacted during the first presidential term of U.S. President Donald Trump, supply chains are undergoing dramatic shifts—and Asia is solidifying its role as the sector’s global hub. While the U.S. tariffs primarily targeted a broad range of Chinese industrial chemicals under Section 301, some specialty additives used in lubricant formulations were affected. In response, U.S. manufacturers have faced increased costs, sourcing uncertainties, and production delays, prompting a re-evaluation of procurement strategies. These disruptions have had ripple effects across the automotive, industrial, and specialty lubricant markets worldwide. Strategic Realignment: From the West to the East As regulatory complexity and economic uncertainty mount in the U.S. and European markets, many lubricant producers, OEMs, and blenders are redirecting investment and operational focus toward Asia. The region already accounts for the world’s largest share of lubricant demand and continues to post some of the fastest growth, driven by expanding industrialization and vehicle ownership. Asia’s strong manufacturing base, growing consumer markets, and expanding infrastructure for lubricant production make it an attractive destination for global expansion. Companies are deepening their presence in countries such as China, India, Malaysia, and Singapore—tapping into local production advantages, aligning with regional OEMs, and building supply chain resilience. The Asian Lubricant Exhibition 2025: Spotlighting the Industry’s Transformation The challenges—and potential advantages—of this strategic global shift will take center stage at the Asian Lubricant Exhibition 2025, held September 9–11 at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 403, Level 4. As Asia’s only dedicated trade show focused on the lubricants value chain, the event provides a timely platform for addressing trade disruptions, supply chain realignment, and emerging opportunities across the region. The exhibition and exhibitor presentations are open to the public, free of charge. Pre-registration is […]

India gains trade momentum amid tariff and global supply chain shakeup

In a rapidly evolving global trade landscape, India stands out with its competitive advantage stemming from relatively lower tariff rates compared to several key trading partners. With a tariff rate of 26%, as of July 2025, which might reduce to below 20% amid speculations of a trade deal with the US, India is positioned to leverage its trade potential, particularly in sectors such as chemicals, electrical machinery, pharmaceuticals, textiles and agricultural goods, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Ramnivas Mundada, Director of Economic Research and Companies at GlobalData, comments: “India’s tariff rate is relatively lower than other countries, including China (30%), Mexico (30%), and the EU (30%). “This favorable environment not only presents a unique opportunity for Indian exporters to but also enhances the price competitiveness of Indian goods and encourages foreign investment, fostering innovation and growth. Against this backdrop, GlobalData forecasts an average growth rate of 6.5% from 2025 to 2027, positioning India to become the third-largest economy by 2027.” According to NITI Aayog, India can capitalise on 78 product categories (HS 4 codes) for exports to the US, accounting for 52% of its current exports. In the HS 2 code category, India enjoys lower tariffs than competitors in 22 of the top 30 products. This advantage arises from significant tariff hikes on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico. Although India faces slightly higher tariffs in six product categories, there remains a substantial growth potential, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electrical machinery, enhancing India’s export competitiveness. Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reveals that India’s exports to the US increased by 23.5% in June 2025 and by 22.2% from April to June 2025 compared to the same period last year. This growth has positioned the US as India’s largest trading partner for the […]

Sidel’s Beijing Plant unveils large-scale installation advancing green factory initiative

Sidel’s Beijing Plant’s rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system has now achieved full grid connection. Thousands of PV panels now form a blue armour-like array across the facility, gleaming under the sunlight. This milestone green energy project injects new momentum into Sidel’s sustainable operations, marking a solid step forward in the company’s decarbonisation journey and setting a new benchmark for green transformation in the industry. Solar PV system powers low-carbon operations as ‘Green Energy Hub’ launched With an installed capacity of 2.1 MW, Sidel Beijing’s solar system is expected to generate 4,394,700 kWh annually – meeting 60% of the plant’s daily operational electricity needs and reducing CO₂ emissions by 2,452 tonnes per year. Through the innovative ‘self-consumption with surplus feed-in’ model, 35% of the clean energy generated will be fed back into the municipal grid via smart power networks after fulfilling on-site demand. This enables optimised allocation and efficient utilisation of green energy, transforming every ray of sunlight into sustainable power. As a signature project to China’s ‘Dual Carbon’ strategy implementation, the installation features industry-leading LONGi Hi-MO7 high-efficiency modules with 615W panel power and a top-tier conversion efficiency of 23.1%. Multi-pronged approach to building a model green factory Since establishing operations in Beijing in 2008, Sidel Beijing Plant has embedded sustainability into its core strategy. Continuous environmental investments and innovations culminated in 2025 certifications including ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System; ISO 14064-1:2018 Zero Carbon Factory; and GB/T 39257-2020 / GB/T 33635-2017 5-Star Green Supply Chain Management. As a Beijing-certified Green Factory, Sidel’s environmental efforts go far beyond solar energy, encompassing an intelligent Energy Management System (EMS) and Building Automation System (BAS) for precise energy control; a retrofit programme for equipment frequency conversion to reduce consumption; low-temperature distillation technology to minimise effluent from acid-wash passivation; continuous optimisation of water recycling systems […]

$2.3b AI-Focused data center for Jakarta

Jakarta, Indonesia, 17 June 2025 – EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC, a global digital infrastructure company backed by the DAMAC Group, a global conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, today announced the development of a next-generation AI-powered data center in Jakarta, Indonesia, its second in the market. This milestone project marks one of Southeast Asia’s largest AI-dedicated developments, with a future projected capacity of 144 MW and a total investment of $2.3 billion. Following the land acquisition completed in March 2025 by DAMAC, the site has entered early construction phases, with the facility’s phase one expected to be ready for service by December 2026. The Jakarta facility will deploy high-density AI racks, setting new benchmarks for next-generation infrastructure in the region. As a foundational asset in Indonesia’s digital journey, it will be pivotal in accelerating the country’s transition from an analogue base to a robust, AI-powered digital economy. Indonesia remains a high-potential Southeast Asian market yet faces digital infrastructure gaps, limited hyperscale readiness, and rising latency challenges. With AI adoption accelerating across sectors, this project responds to the nation’s growing demand for scalable, energy-efficient infrastructure. “This is our second project in Indonesia, and this development reinforces our commitment to bridging the digital divide in fast-growing markets across Southeast Asia (SEA), such as Indonesia,” said Hussain Sajwani, Founder of DAMAC Group. “We are proud to build what will become one of Southeast Asia’s most advanced, sustainable data centers to power the next wave of innovation and digital growth. The scale of AI workloads demands a new class of infrastructure. This project is part of our broader push across SEA, where we have committed over USD 3 billion in digital infrastructure investments to date.” The facility will target a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.32, significantly enhancing energy efficiencies and aligning with EDGNEX’s global […]

Hexagon brings automated quality inspection to with PRESTO Quality Stations

Low-cost turnkey automated inspection solutions enable shop-floor operators to improve efficiency with high-speed, high-resolution part scanning Simple set-up, easy programming and modular upgrades enable flexible manufacturing, maximising return on investment and minimising footprint Powerful robot programming makes automated quality inspection accessible to non-metrologists Providing major advances in high-resolution scanning for faster, highly versatile manufacturing quality control, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division today announces the launch of two major advances in automated large-component quality inspection that make its turnkey PRESTO Quality Stations accessible to manufacturers that need to improve productivity but face budget and skills constraints. Hexagon’s modular suite of turnkey automated inspection cells is expanding what is possible in the 3D measurement of medium-to-large-sized components in a variety of industrial contexts, including automotive, aerospace and general manufacturing. Two new configurations apply Hexagon’s brand-new HYPERSCAN optical tracking with 3D scanning and the Leica Absolute Tracker ATS800 direct scanning technologies to the PRESTO Quality Station range. These new options complement the existing high-performance Leica Absolute Tracker AT960 with Absolute Scanner AS1 models already deployed in business-critical near-line quality control processes in OEM automotive, rail and aerospace facilities globally. These advanced solutions are designed to bring a new level of flexibility and accuracy to applications throughout the supply chain for which skills, budget and complexity are barriers to quality process automation. The new PRESTO Quality Station with HYPERSCAN delivers smart, high-resolution scanning with real-time optical tracking at a much lower price point, making automation viable even for organisations with limited budgets. In addition, new ATS800-based PRESTO models offer direct, high-accuracy scanning from a larger standoff, allowing safe, efficient and high-accuracy inspection of fine edges and complex features, ensuring precise assembly processes without the need for robot-mounted scanners. With robotic inspection workflows deployable in hours rather than days and minimal training required, the highly […]

Building Momentum with Hyster: Koh Kock Leong’s Journey Toward Efficiency and Growth

As a major contractor in Singapore’s dynamic civil engineering and construction industry, Koh Kock Leong Enterprise (KKL) has established itself as a key player, recognized for its expertise in earthworks, cable and pipe installations, and road reinstatement projects. With a skilled team of over 1,000 employees, KKL has continually pushed the boundaries of innovation to meet the rigorous demands of its sector. A few years ago, when faced with the need to upgrade its aging fleet of lift trucks, the company turned to Hyster — marking a pivotal moment in their operations. The Need for Change KKL’s operations encompass a wide range of tasks, from earthmoving and waste disposal to the transportation and supply of construction materials. For years, these tasks were supported by older lift trucks that, while reliable in the past, had limitations that were increasingly becoming apparent. During the operation, the trucks struggled with restricted lift heights, making it difficult to handle taller loads or maximize vertical storage space efficiently. This limited their ability to fully meet KKL’s growing operational demands. More critically, the trucks were not suited for use in rough terrain, which posed significant challenges for off-site projects. As a result, KKL often resorted to using alternatives like truck-mounted cranes or even excavators for loading and unloading heavy materials such as concrete road barriers and steel beams. These workarounds, however, came at a cost. They required more manpower, increased the time taken for certain tasks, and introduced additional safety risks. It became clear that a more efficient solution was needed to support KKL’s expanding operations. After consulting with a trusted industry contact, KKL was introduced to Hyster, a leading lift truck manufacturer known for tough and reliable material handling solutions. The company made the decision to invest in Hyster products, opting for a 3-ton model […]

Andersen Consulting expands into Pakistan with collaborating firm NEC Consulting

Andersen Consulting bolsters its sustainability offering through a Collaboration Agreement with NEC Consultants (Pvt) Ltd., an environmental and infrastructure consulting firm based in Pakistan. Established in 2006, NEC Consultants provides environmental and engineering professional services. Their offerings include environmental assessments and audits, wastewater treatment plant design, energy audits, sustainability and circularity consulting, and training in environmental and energy efficiency. Azher Uddin Khan, managing director of NEC Consulting, said, “This collaboration with Andersen Consulting marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide innovative and sustainable solutions. By combining our local expertise with the organization’s global reach, we are poised to address complex challenges and drive impactful change in Pakistan and beyond.” Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen, added, “Pakistan is a rapidly growing economy with enormous potential in infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. As the country continues to invest in large-scale public and private projects, the need for multidimensional services is greater than ever. By collaborating with NEC Consultants, we gain a competitive edge in a high-growth market.” Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.

Time for ASEAN to rethink a single currency amid global trade tensions

Dr Uma Murthy Dr Paul Anthony Maria Das As global economic uncertainties continue to mount, Southeast Asia stands at a strategic crossroads. The recent surge in trade tensions, particularly those stemming from the United States’ (U.S.) tariff policies and restrictive trade measures, has reignited discussions across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) about the need for greater financial and monetary integration. One idea, long debated but never realised, has resurfaced with renewed urgency – the adoption of a single ASEAN currency. The U.S. has increasingly adopted protectionist trade practices, disrupted global supply chains and raised the cost of doing business. The ongoing U.S.–China tariff war, for example, continues to unsettle ASEAN exporters, particularly in electronics, palm oil, and rubber. According to the World Bank, the Southeast Asian region could lose an estimated US$13 billion annually due to ripple effects from trade fragmentation and tariff hikes.[1] Currency volatility adds another layer of unpredictability. The Thai baht, Malaysian ringgit, and Indonesian rupiah have all experienced significant depreciation against the U.S. dollar over the past year, making imports more expensive and external debt burdens heavier. A single regional currency could act as a buffer, shielding ASEAN economies from external shocks and speculative currency attacks. The European Union’s adoption of the euro has created one of the largest and most stable currency unions in the world, bringing 19 countries under a unified monetary policy. While challenges remain — as seen during the Greek debt crisis — the benefits of the euro in promoting price stability, enhancing trade, and reducing transaction costs are undeniable. Eurozone trade within member states rose by over 50% in the first decade of the euro’s introduction, according to data from the European Central Bank.[2] ASEAN already has some groundwork laid. The Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM), […]

ASEAN-GCC-China collaboration signals growing demand for multilateralism

The United States (U.S.) persistent efforts to maintain its fading unipolar dominance – through tariffs, sanctions, military presence, and dollar hegemony – have sparked a global pushback, prompting nations to seek refuge in multilateral alliances. –Dr Julia Roknifard Among the most notable is the BRICS organisation, which has grown in prominence. However, this is just one of many such organisations, all of which share the common theme of nations outside the traditional Western sphere banding together to insulate themselves from Washington’s overreach. This shift is driven not by ideology but by necessity. One recent example of this trend is the imposition of tariffs on the photovoltaic sector of several Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members. These new duties follow previous tariffs placed late last year, under the pretext that ASEAN is merely a transshipment hub for Chinese-manufactured goods. These measures have fuelled dissatisfaction among ASEAN members, especially given the historical trade dynamics in the region. Originally formed during the Cold War to address tensions between non-communist Southeast Asian nations, ASEAN has since evolved into a diverse bloc. It now includes republican democracies, constitutional monarchies, and socialist states, all united in the pursuit of regional integration and socio-economic development. The timing of Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 is fortuitous. Under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is pushing for a neutral, trade-focused course, seeking economic cooperation with multiple nations while avoiding confrontation. Though there are exceptions, the overarching policy remains intact. Similarly, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in 1981 amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, has evolved from a regional security pact into a significant player in global energy markets. With vast reserves of hydrocarbons, the GCC now seeks greater economic diversification and long-term fiscal sustainability in light of the rise of new energy industries. During the early […]

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Doug Green

About Doug Green

Posts by Doug Green: