Smart Manufacturing

Q & A: Aanchal Gupta, Managing Director of APAC at Tulip

What is Tulip’s role in Industry 4.0? Tulip’s role is to provide an easy to use, digitalised solution for manufacturers to enable a more efficient production process. The Industry 4.0 revolution is transforming industrial and manufacturing processes rapidly and we aspire to provide companies with opportunities to ease into this growing and evolving industry. How is Tulip assisting enhance productivity across APAC? Tulip’s Frontline Operations Platform has been developed for precisely this reason – to enhance productivity among manufacturing and production players by enabling them to develop digital solutions. In addition, our platform provides productivity and quality measurements for manufacturers and producers to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency. At Tulip, we focus primarily on frontline workers and believe there is an exponential potential in this area. To date, this area of the workforce has been left out of digitisation considerations. This is where Tulip comes in with our human-centric and low-code approach. Without any programming effort, the people who are really affected and involved in manufacturing and production daily can develop digital solutions that really improve efficiencies in their work. For example, these could be digital work instructions, quality assurance measures or documentation. In this way, productivity can be increased step by step throughout the entire production process. How do you see manufacturing’s future at present? We believe the manufacturing industry will continue to evolve significantly with new areas of growth and pockets of opportunity emerging. More and more companies are beginning to understand the challenges of having a single monolithic solution due to each site having different needs and requirements. A composable approach, where companies can fit their sites and stations with the tools, machines, and capabilities they need—but with oversight visibility—is critical in today’s rapidly evolving world. In today’s dynamic manufacturing environment, the ability to adjust to changes […]

China Hi-Tech Fair’s 26th edition in Shenzhen

China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), a large-scale international event and China’s premier tech show showcasing innovative technologies and products, will kick off its 26th edition on November 14-16, 2024 at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center under the theme “Technology Leads Development, Industry Integrates Fusion”. Covering an exhibition area of 400,000m2, CHTF 2024 is expected to attract over 5,000 exhibitors and 500,000 attendees from more than 100 countries and regions. This year, the event will feature 20 top fast-growing sectors, including China’s Leading Heavy Equipment, Top Tech Industry Chains, Clean Energy, High-end Machinery Manufacturing and Low-altitude Economy & Aerospace, etc. About 150 activities will be held concurrently. Leveraging Shenzhen’s role as an international innovation center, CHTF has become an important gateway for China’s high-tech sector to connect with the international community, and a top-level platform empowering tech companies to elevate their global brand awareness. China’s national leaders attend CHTF’s opening ceremony annually. Provincial and municipal officials lead delegations to participate in the event. Over 150 delegations come from afar to explore groundbreaking technologies and emerging industry trends. Started in 1999, CHTF has been scoring a resounding success in facilitating technological and economic exchanges and cooperation across borders. In 2023, CHTF gathered 5,000 exhibitors, 150 delegations and 500,000 attendees from 105 countries. The total transaction value reached CNY37.279 billion (US$5.14 billion), encompassing approximately 10,000 technological projects. World-renowned companies like Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Siemens, Huawei, Tencent, ZTE, BYD, DJI, Philips, SAP, Sony, and Samsung, have exhibited at CHTF. Throughout its 25 editions, CHTF has welcomed two Turing Award winners, 18 Nobel Prize laureates, over 40 domestic & overseas academicians, more than 100 officials above the ministerial level, and around 400 CEOs and entrepreneurs from transnational corporations. Over 1,500 journalists from around 200 domestic and overseas organisations covered CHTF last year. The resulting 25,000 […]

Bangkok Hospital invests in robot-assisted surgery

Bangkok Hospital has invested over 200 million baht to establish a cutting-edge robotic surgery center. The facility is equipped with multiple operating rooms integrated with the latest robotic platforms, including the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. This investment underscores the hospital’s commitment to becoming the premier destination for robotic-assisted surgery in Southeast Asia. Having successfully completed 200 cases, Bangkok Hospital showcases its expertise in leveraging state-of-the-art technology to deliver superior patient outcomes. The hospital’s strategic vision is to become the robotic hub of Southeast Asia, making advanced surgical treatments more accessible to patients throughout the region at competitive prices. The da Vinci Xi Surgical System enables surgeons to perform complex procedures with improved precision and better dexterity. Conditions that can benefit from robot-assisted surgery include thoracic diseases like lung cancer; urological diseases such as prostate and kidney cancers; abdominal and hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases including hernias and liver cancer; as well as gynecological diseases like uterine fibroid and ovarian mass. “We are dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by Southeast Asia, including the growing burden of cancers, an aging population, and disparities in access to quality care,” said Dr. Ekkit Surakarn, Deputy Hospital Director of Bangkok Hospital. “Our robot-assisted surgery program is centered around delivering tangible benefits and value to our patients, while actively engaging with insurance providers to expand coverage for these advanced treatments.” The hospital has achieved remarkable outcomes, with significant improvements in key operating indicators such as reduced blood loss, shorter recovery time, faster patient mobilisation, decreased risk of infection, and unplanned readmission. In specific procedures, the use of robotic systems has enabled nerve-sparing techniques while preserving urinary function in prostate cancer cases and improved lymph node removal in lung cancer cases. Bangkok Hospital’s multidisciplinary approach brings together highly skilled medical teams to create personalised treatment plans […]

Energy Struggles Highlight Need for AI-based Solutions for Buildings in Asia

Recent studies conducted in South Korea and Hong Kong reveal that current energy efficiency measures for buildings are not sustainable. AI experts provide a solution with a 10x faster payback period than building renovation. As cities strive to meet carbon neutrality goals by 2050, energy efficiency in high-density urban centers located in Asia has become critical. Recent studies conducted in Hong Kong and South Korea highlight major challenges, ranging from regulatory to financial issues. “High-density urban centers are at the forefront of sustainability and our fight against climate change, yet they face significant hurdles in achieving energy efficiency. We need to put more focus on energy performance management in Asia if we want to reach net-zero goals in as little as 30 years,” said Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, a company that provides AI-based solutions for energy management in commercial buildings. A comprehensive analysis of 36 office building retrofits in Hong Kong identified 23 major challenges, including inadequate government incentives and long payback periods. Regulatory hurdles emerged as the primary barriers, followed closely by financial concerns. In South Korea, the effectiveness of the Building Energy Efficiency Certification (BEEC) system has been questioned. The study indicates that current certification levels might not reflect true energy efficiency, revealing significant energy consumption discrepancies in office buildings and educational facilities. “When traditional retrofitting is not feasible, AI-based energy performance tools offer a viable alternative,” stated Karčiauskas. “First of all, AI-driven platforms are easier to implement and their payback periods are up to 10 times faster, on average 2 years instead of 10. AI energy performance tools also provide real-time data and actionable insights to reduce energy consumption and emissions.” In previous projects conducted in various countries across Europe, Exergio’s AI platform reduced energy waste by up to 20% in office buildings. These numbers are […]

Greene Tweed completes manufacturing facility in South Korea

This new expansion will increase the manufacturing leader’s capacity and capabilities for the semiconductor market. Lansdale, PA – Greene Tweed, a leading global manufacturer of high-performance thermoplastics, composites, seals, and engineered components, has completed its new manufacturing facility in Ochang, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. The milestone marks a significant expansion of Greene Tweed’s global footprint and reinforces its commitment to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to their customers worldwide with its flagship Chemraz product line. With construction now complete, the new facility is poised to commence sample production immediately and transition to commercial production by September 2024. The state-of-the-art plant is equipped with advanced manufacturing technology as well as solar panels and greywater recycling facilities to mitigate environmental impact, and skilled staff are in place, ready to drive operations forward. “The opening of this facility represents a pivotal step in our strategic growth plan,” said Magen Buterbaugh, President and CEO of Greene Tweed. “Our investment in Korea not only expands our manufacturing capacity but also strengthens our ability to provide high-quality Chemraz® products to our customers, particularly in the semiconductor industry, which is crucial to the global economy.” The new Greene Tweed location underscores the company’s dedication to supporting clients based in Korea and the surrounding region, including notable semiconductor industry leaders. With the semiconductor market expected to be valued at one trillion dollars by 2030, Greene Tweed is well-positioned to meet local and global demand. By increasing its manufacturing presence in Asia, the company expects to improve delivery times, enhance business continuity, and offer greater flexibility and reliability for customers worldwide. “Greene Tweed’s new manufacturing site in Korea is a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and operational excellence,” said Thyag Sadasiwan, General Manager, Chemraz. “This facility will initially focus on our Chemraz product line, known […]

Mitsui Copper Foil (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Honoured with Two Excellence Awards from Kepner-Tregoe

Mitsui Copper Foil (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (MCF) has been recognised with two prestigious awards from Kepner-Tregoe, highlighting the company’s outstanding achievements and dedication to excellence in management and manufacturing operations. Yusuke Ozaki, Managing Director of MCF, was awarded the “Rational Management Executive of the Year.” This accolade celebrates Ozaki’s exceptional leadership and commitment to fostering a culture of critical thinking and rational management within the organisation. In addition to Ozaki’s individual recognition, MCF also received the “Excellence in the Utilisation of KT Process in Manufacturing Operations” award. This honor underscores the company’s successful implementation of Kepner-Tregoe’s methodologies to enhance operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing processes. Yusuke Ozaki emphasised the importance of critical thinking skills in achieving both personal and organisational success. “Critical thinking skills are crucial for our company and our people to succeed. These awards are a testament to our dedication to cultivating these skills and leveraging them to improve our operations.” Drew Marshall, the Chief Operating Officer of Kepner-Tregoe, congratulated MCF on their accomplishments. “We are thrilled to recognise Mitsui Copper Foil Malaysia for their exceptional use of KT processes. Their journey towards continuous improvement and commitment to enhancing their performance systems is truly commendable.”

Made in China

This is the surprising story of how Cold War foes found common cause in transforming China’s economy into a source of cheap labor, creating the economic interdependence that characterises our world today. For centuries, the vastness of the Chinese market tempted foreign companies in search of customers. But in the 1970s, when the United States and China ended two decades of Cold War isolation, China’s trade relations veered in a very different direction. Elizabeth Ingleson shows how the interests of US business and the Chinese state aligned to reframe the China market: the old dream of plentiful customers gave way to a new vision of low-cost workers by the hundreds of millions. In the process, the world’s largest communist state became an indispensable component of global capitalism. Drawing on Chinese- and English-language sources, including previously unexplored corporate papers, Ingleson traces this transformation to the actions of Chinese policymakers, US diplomats, maverick entrepreneurs, Chinese American traders, and executives from major US corporations including Boeing, Westinghouse, J. C. Penney, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Long before Walmart and Apple came to China, businesspeople such as Veronica Yhap, Han Fanyu, Suzanne Reynolds, and David Rockefeller instigated a trade revolution with lasting consequences. And while China’s economic reorganisation was essential to these connections, Ingleson also highlights an underappreciated but crucial element of the convergence: the US corporate push for deindustrialisation and its embrace by politicians. Reexamining two of the most significant transformations of the 1970s—US-China rapprochement and deindustrialisation in the United States—Made in China takes bilateral trade back to its faltering, uncertain beginnings, identifying the tectonic shifts in diplomacy, labor, business, and politics in both countries that laid the foundations of today’s globalised economy.

Supply chain shifts to drive more manufacturing to Southeast Asia and India

Diversification of supply chains to create opportunities but will require companies to be flexible on factors including land selection. Singapore– The next decade will accelerate shifting supply chains whereby manufacturing and production locations will diversify to multiple locations across Southeast Asia and India. According to JLL,Southeast Asia and India stand to be net beneficiaries of companies diversifying manufacturing capabilities to complement existing bases in China, however, companies will need to be flexible when considering locations and funding options to take advantage of volatility in supply chains. Over the past few years, companies have begun exploring the relocation of manufacturing outside of China. In Asia Pacific, this near/re/friend shoring trend has resulted in the China+1 strategy where companies add additional manufacturing bases outside of China to hedge against supply chain disruptions by reducing reliance on a single country. According to JLL analysis, the impact has been mostly felt at the destination country, especially in Southeast Asia and India. As a result, governments are supporting these opportunities and implementing more policies that aim to boost their local manufacturing industries, placing a premium on land availability and access to capital sources. “Diversification within supply chains is a natural step for companies involved in manufacturing within the wider economic lifecycle of this region. We see Southeast Asia and India representing a natural complement to the existing production strength of China but feel that for companies to respond quickly to supply chain shifts, they need to adopt a flexible mindset towards land selection and funding options,” says Michael Ignatiadis, Head of Manufacturing Strategy, Asia Pacific, JLL. The driving force behind this trend is not only the need for supply chain diversification, but also to capitalise on the strong economic fundamentals of this region, including a large population and labour pool, favourable costs, and various incentives. […]

“Engineered for Good” purpose-driven brand message for Southeast Asia

Global technology leader, Epson, has unveiled its revitalised brand message, “Engineered for Good” in Southeast Asia. This pivotal shift underscores Epson’s commitment to marry innovation with purpose by co-creating cutting-edge technology solutions that contribute towards a sustainable future. In an era where brands are distinguished by their values and aspirations, Epson redefines its identity to champion sustainability and meaningful innovation. The shift from its former brand message “It’s In the Details” heralds a new purpose for Epson to go beyond product excellence and leverage on technology as a way to enrich communities. Epson’s corporate philosophy of ‘sho-sho-sei’ – or, ‘efficient, compact, and precise’ in Japanese – also aligns with this new brand message. “The actions of individuals and businesses, no matter how small, will play an important part in helping Southeast Asia achieve a sustainable future. Epson recognises that sustainability is a foundational element of responsible business practices. Hence, it is important that we communicate and advocate the use of Epson’s eco-efficient technology which helps reduce energy consumption, enhance productivity, and minimise the overall environmental impact of every Epson product,” shares Tan May Lin, Regional Director of Brand and Communications, Epson Southeast Asia. “Our ‘Engineered for Good’ brand campaign reflects Epson’s unique philosophy of delivering efficient, compact and precise innovations. By further embracing innovation, we aim to combat global environmental challenges and societal issues, to enrich people’s lives and contribute to a better world.” This brand shift also builds on Epson’s momentum towards its Environmental Vision 2050, which stipulates a goal to become carbon negative and underground resource-free by 2050. At the end of 2023, Epson Southeast Asia adopted 100% renewable energy at all major sites and factories worldwide. Specifically in Southeast Asia, Epson also completely phased out laser printers at the end of 2023, due to laser technology’s limited […]

In-Depth Interview with BLT: Metal AM Printing’s Shift from Technology-Driven to Cost-Driven

Additive manufacturing isn’t just about comparing build volume sizes across different manufacturers. While build volume is a technical consideration, it’s only part of the bigger picture. To truly penetrate the industrial sector and usher in the era of mass production, our products must be manufacturable and affordable for customers. They need to be efficient, high-quality, and stable, with an excellent cost-to-performance ratio. In the past, competition might have focused on specific metrics, but now it’s more about whether your equipment can help customers run consistently over long periods, if the manufacturers can offer comprehensive industry solutions, and if it can help customers be profitable. Only under these conditions will the industry fully embrace the technology. Cost-driven production is the most solid foundation for applying this technology effectively in the field. ——-Jia Xin, Deputy General Manager at Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) Metal additive manufacturing is gradually entering the stage of large-scale application. BLT has achieved revenues of approximately USD 170 million, marking a 34.24% year-over-year increase, with a net income attributed to shareholders of around USD 19.6 million, a 78.11% increase year-over-year, making it the leading publicly traded AM company globally by market capitalization. At the 2021 TCT Asia show, BLT introduced the concept of the “Era of AM Mass Production,” marking the transition of additive manufacturing from the experimental validation stage to large-scale application. As the focus shifts from being technology-driven to cost-driven, metal additive manufacturing is steadily advancing towards the era of mass production. Jia Xin, Deputy General Manager of BLT, gave an exclusive interview at the 2024 TCT Asia show to further explain BLT’s strategies and the technological innovations driving this shift. Transitioning from Experimental Validation to Mass Production Jia Xin pointed out the evolution of additive manufacturing from its initial stages of experimental validation to its current […]

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