Smart Manufacturing

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 […]

Motorola Solutions_Mahesh Saptharishi ASIA MN

Motorola Solutions unveils new software and analytics R&D Centre in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh hub expands company’s burgeoning pool of software engineering talent in Asia Pacific. Motorola Solutions has opened its new Research and Development Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to advance data analytics and AI-enabled technologies that help fuel the company’s safety and security ecosystem. “One of the most crucial challenges facing public safety agencies today is the vast amounts of data that can stand between those in need and those who can help,” said Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Motorola Solutions. “Our innovation is focused on surfacing and centralising critical insights from across public safety systems, so that first responders can better understand and respond to complex threats, helping to keep communities safer.” The Vietnam team is focused on designing and building solutions that can dramatically improve public safety outcomes by connecting people to critical information and focusing human attention where it’s needed most. This includes cutting-edge software that leverages AI to create advanced camera systems, sensors and vehicle detection technologies that feed into command centres to improve decision-making and accelerate emergency response. “Especially in times of crisis, people need technology that helps them to focus on the most relevant information needed to fulfil their mission while removing other distractions,” said Saptharishi. “Data analytics and AI play an important role in this process, rapidly and accurately analysing data to alert a human when something important happens for further investigation.” The opening also signifies Motorola Solutions’ continued investment in diverse, multicultural engineering talent throughout the Asia Pacific region, with other locations including Penang, Bangalore and Kolkata. “Our team brings different experiences and perspectives, adding to the diversity that advances creative innovations in our global R&D organisation,” said Dr. Dinh Tien Son, director and chief scientist, Motorola Solutions Vietnam Research and Development Centre. “We’re developing […]

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners inaugurates Changfang-Xidao offshore wind farms in Taiwan

The Changfang-Xidao project is Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) first offshore wind farms in Asia Pacific. Taipei, Taiwan and Copenhagen, Denmark: At a ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan, CIP today officially celebrated that it has completed construction of the Changfang-Xidao offshore wind project. With a total capacity of nearly 600 MW, the two offshore wind farms increase Taiwan’s combined offshore capacity by approximately 25% and contribute significantly to its energy transition and ambitious net-zero goals. Changfang-Xidao has one of the highest degrees of localisation, i.e. use of local suppliers and vendors, in the history of Taiwan’s offshore wind industry. The wind farms are located 11 km off the west coast of Taiwan and consist of 62 Vestas V174 turbines and jacket foundations supplied by Taiwan’s Century Wind Power. When fully operational, Changfang-Xidao will generate enough renewable energy to power around 650,000 local households and will deliver an annual expected CO2 reduction of 1.1 million tons. Changfang-Xidao are CIP’s first offshore wind farms in Asia Pacific, which has developed into a key offshore market. CIP has a significant portfolio of 21 GW offshore wind in the Asia Pacific and is among the frontrunners in the build-out of offshore wind in Korea and Australia, as well as Taiwan. Christina Grumstrup Sørensen, Senior Partner at CIP, says: “The inauguration of Changfang-Xidao is a landmark for CIP as well as for the offshore wind industry in Taiwan. In the past seven years, the development and construction team, suppliers, partners and shareholders have demonstrated the power of close collaboration. Together we have successfully constructed a project that makes a meaningful contribution to Taiwan’s energy transition and that plays a significant role in the establishment of the local offshore wind industry – and will support Taiwan’s long-term offshore wind ambitions.” Mads Skovgaard Andersen, Partner at CIP, commented: “I […]

Partnership addresses clean energy ecosystem

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), a global semiconductor leader, and VinFast, a leading Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer will partner to advance Battery Management System (BMS) solutions for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Energy Storage System (ESS). The joint efforts aim to address key challenges faced by the clean energy ecosystem by driving solutions that help improve battery efficiency and lifetime performance, EV range, and charging times. ADI is at the forefront of enabling the next wave of EVs, boasting a leading position in the automotive BMS market by working with 16 of the top 20 global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)s. ADI also previously introduced the industry’s first wireless Battery Management Systems (wBMS), which eliminates wiring harness and enables scaling of EV fleets via robotic manufacturing and allows flexible and lighter battery packs design. Beyond this, ADI is driving innovation across electric powertrains, immersive cabin experiences and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). ADI’s central position is in the clean energy ecosystem, encompassing renewable generation, energy storage, transmission and distribution, and electrified mobility. This unique positioning gives the company a unique perspective into the challenges and opportunities involved in the transition to clean energy. Vietnam’s emergence as a significant semiconductor production hubmarks a pivotal moment in the country’s technological evolution. The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association forecasts that the country will reach 1 million EVs by 2028 and 3.5 million by 2040 demonstrating a substantial shift towards electric mobility in the region. In its capacity as Vietnam’s leading EV manufacturer with global aspirations, VinFast stands to leverage its expertise and industry insights to enhance strategic initiatives within the Vietnamese automotive market. Meanwhile, ADI extends access to the latest BMS solutions, signalling a collaborative effort aiming at driving advancements within Southeast Asia’s EV ecosystem. This push toward electric mobility not only aligns with global trends […]

REDEX to partner TNBX to support Malaysia Green Attribute Trading System platform

REDEX will be an exclusive partner to TNBX to support the development of the Malaysia Green Attribute Trading System (mGATS) into the country’s preeminent digital trading platform for Malaysia Renewable Energy Certificates (mREC). The upgraded platform will provide a new avenue for businesses to conveniently pursue their renewable energy commitments and accelerate the nation’s pursuit of a sustainable energy future. Launched five years ago as an information hub on RECs, the revamped mGATS will leverage REDEX’s innovative technological solutions to facilitate live trading and auctions while providing users with price transparency for mRECs acquisition. REDEX Founder and CEO Kang Jen Wee said, “REDEX is honoured to be chosen by TNBX as a partner for the development of mGATS into a premier digital trading platform for the Malaysian market. We are excited to be part of the country’s journey to create a sustainable future for current and future generations. “This collaboration also deepens our presence in Malaysia and highlights our innovative technological solutions to the wider REC industry. It also paves the way for deploying such similar proven solutions in other countries. Utilising our expertise and experience, REDEX will work closely with TNBX to enable more renewable electricity certification in Malaysia.” A wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia’s leading utility company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), TNBX is the premier one-stop mREC solutions provider for Malaysian consumers and businesses. TNBX Managing Director, Ir. Mohd Razif Abd Halim said, “The revamped mGATS is a significant step forward in Malaysia’s journey towards low carbon energy future. In line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), this initiative will promote renewable energy and bolster the country’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. “We are pleased to have REDEX, an experienced REC solution provider as our exclusive partner and we look forward to working with […]

SICK and Aicadium to deliver AI solutions to Singapore and Southeast Asia

Advanced sensors and cutting-edge artificial intelligence address the most difficult visual inspection problems In a significant development for the industrial sensor and artificial intelligence sectors, SICK, a leading solutions providers for sensor-based industrial applications, and Aicadium, a global technology company specializing in AI-powered computer vision products, have announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to co-develop and commercialise advanced computer vision AI solutions for industry customers in Singapore and Southeast Asia. This partnership will mark a pivotal step towards integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence with state-of-the-art sensor technology to address critical challenges in industrial and commercial environments. The partnership between SICK and Aicadium will focus on the most challenging customer use cases. It aims to leverage the strengths of both entities to create AI-powered solutions for businesses in Singapore and Southeast Asia, combining SICK’s leading sensor technology with Aicadium’s innovative AI software. With this collaboration, both companies want to revolutionise how the industrial sector tackles high-impact problems with visual inspection by providing advanced AI solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, quality, and productivity. Key aspects of the MoU include: A structured approach to solution development and commercialisation Solutions tailored to meet the technical and business needs of end customers in Southeast Asia Discovery of emerging trends to better address high-impact use cases Use of advanced deep learning and generative AI technologies SICK is renowned for its worldwide operations in developing, producing, selling, and servicing sensors, sensor systems, and sensor-based solutions particularly in the fields of optical sensors, proximity switches, safety technology, encoders, environmental and process measuring technology, identification solutions, material flow automation, traffic systems, and laser measuring systems. “We are thrilled to collaborate with SICK to deliver computer vision AI to a broad base of industrial customers,” said Kezheng Chong, Senior Director of Business Development at Aicadium. “This partnership comes at the right […]

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