Issue 11
AAPICO Hitech
World Class Manufacturing with a Local Emphasis AAPICO Hitech has a strong vantage point from the top of Thailand’s manufacturing tree, and is subsequently preparing for the latest stage of its development through a commitment to lean and sustainable operationsWriter Matthew StaffProject Manager Tom CullumAAPICO Hitech is maintaining an aggressive expansion strategy which has served it well over the past two decades, to ensure the company’s ongoing development amid a more competitive global market.Founded in 1996 and listed on the Thai Stock Exchange in 2002, the manufacturing organisation has grown consistently over the years as a result of acquisitions and organic growth in lucrative industries, resulting in a Group which currently consists of 34 subsidiary and associate companies; 25 of which remain in the business’s native Thailand.Now, with its international influence and its principles engrained, AAPICO Hitech is keen to capitalise further on the globally significant partnerships in place in the automotive sector and the sustainable initiatives that President and CEO, Yeap Swee Chuan, prides the company on.Surviving in a Competitive WorldThe Malaysian-born businessman has overseen the entire rise of the conglomerate since the embryonic venture, Able Autopart Industries Co. Ltd. (AAPICO) made its mark in the late 1980s as a Ford Assembler and Distributor in Thailand. Since then, the company has diversified and expanded to become one of the most renowned players in the automotive industry, attaining contracts for names every bit as synonymous with automotive prominence as Ford.Joint ventures with the likes of Continental and Sumino for elite customers including GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi,…
Interlink Communication
Interlinking Best Price & Best Service Managing Director Nuttanai Annuntarumporn says that the market for fibre cables changes every day; and with technology around the world developing at such a rapid pace, it is imperative that Interlink continue to be at the top of their game Writer Emily JarvisProject Manager Donovan Smith Interlink Telecom Company Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Interlink Communication Public Company Limited. Since its establishment in 2007, Interlink Telecom has many track records on building and operating fibre optic networks, for instance, TOT, CAT, PEA and MEA as well as receiving the approval for the award of the Domestic and International Telecom Network Provider Type III License. Interlink Telecom has fully committed to building a fibre optical network for both Domestic and International Transmission service to better serve the customers’ needs with the vision of best connectivity, best service and best price.Today, Interlink Telecom owns and operates a nationwide core network and the fully fibre optical network in Thailand, holding onto state-of-the-art expertise in fibre optical cables in order to deploy both armoured fibre optic cables as well as transmission and switching technology with the latest IP network equipments. The business can be split into four component areas: cabling, sub-marine cables, fibre optic network and a fully-fledged R&D team to make both the company’s power consumption and product range better than ever before.Moreover, customers are able to enjoy Interlink’s leading-edge services such as redundancy, ring topology access, corporate data transmission solutions, Private Leased Circuit Services, Internet Protocol Transit Services, MPLSbased IP-VPN Service with…
Sunhuan Holdings 2014
From Humble Beginnings to Construction Prosperity Singapore-based construction contractor, Sunhuan has grown exponentially from an initial $4,000 investment, to become one of the industry’s leading lights Writer Chris Davies Project Manager Arron Rampling Founded in 1993, Sunhuan Holdings is a Singaporebased construction contractor that has completed almost 60 projects, built more than 6,000 homes and achieved a contract sum of over SGD $1 billion throughout its existence. Initially a sub-contractor, the company started off with just 15 members of staff, but today employs around 700 people.With a mission to “provide sustainable and cost-effective methods to all our projects and ensure customer satisfaction”, Sunhuan keeps the local community’s best interests at heart, but understands the importance of remaining competitive and profitable, which is backed up by its vision. “We pledge to provide quality construction services to our clients, and emerge as a reliable construction company,” notes Sunhuan. Visionary LeadershipSunhuan’s rise to construction prominence in Singapore would not have been possible without the visionary leadership of Sun Lai Fong. After leaving China to support his aging parents and five younger siblings, Sun soon found work at a construction company in Singapore aged 26. Earning just $13 a day or $400 a month, he gained invaluable industry experience and even attended night classes to improve his expertise. With his newly acquired knowledge and modest savings of around $4,000, Sun decided to start his own business, as Singapore’s construction industry was booming at the time. He was well aware of the risks, but started with small-scale projects to gain a solid reputation…
Chip Eng Seng
Making Dream Houses their Pride Chip Eng Seng has expanded its range of services and operational markets from the private sector to public housing, becoming one of Singapore’s leading construction companies in the process Writer Matthew StaffProject Manager Ben Wigger Chip Eng Seng believes that each small step helps build the foundation for a stronger tomorrow, following Confucius’ principle of “the man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones”, and has stood by that belief over the past 50 years. Founded by Executive Chairman, Mr Lim Tiam Seng, the Group started as a humble subcontractor in the 1960s before evolving into the leading property and construction group it is today, with core businesses in areas of property developments, property investments, construction and hospitality across Singapore, Australia and Malaysia.Through competitive pricing and delivery of superior work quality, Chip Eng Seng scales new heights year-on-year, making its mark in the public housing market following its appointment as the main contractor for its first Housing and Development Board (“HDB”) project in 1982.With the expertise and ability to comply with the HDB’s stringent requirements, Chip Eng Seng has since completed many projects, including the award-winning iconic Pinnacle@ Duxton, and can be regarded as one of the leading public housing contractors in Singapore.In 1999, the Group reached yet another milestone by undergoing a successful listing on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Today, the Group has a market capitalisation in excess of $500 million, compared to $88 million as of listing date.Post-listing, the Group made…
Gates Engineering & Services
“Progress never stands still. And neither do we” Gates has enjoyed an international business presence spanning over 100 years and today, remains the leading manufacturer of fluid engineering components Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Arron Rampling Gates Corporation is a global, diversified industrial company that provides precision products, services, and systems for power transmission and fluid transfer applications that power progress and foster long-term customer and employee relationships.Gates advances the science of motion performance in ways that reduce total cost of ownership with an almost endless range of industrial and automotive solutions. As a result of an exemplary compliance to HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) policies, the company is a trusted partner in major end markets including: energy/ exploration/extraction, automotive, infrastructure, agriculture, process and speciality and transportation. The Science of Motion Performance Gates hoses enable the movement of a wide range of fluids - from crude oil to chemicals to the finest wines. Gates belt systems transfer power to a wide variety of industrial equipment, from rock crushers to cement mixers and air conditioners to alternators. Gates hydraulic systems transmit power to all types of machines, from mining and construction equipment to agricultural equipment used to harvest and process the crops needed to feed the world. In short, if it moves you, there’s a good chance Gates has a part in it. Global Footprint Gates Corporation sells products directly through a network of 150,000 valued partners worldwide. The company has enjoyed an international business presence for over 100 years and today is supported by over 14,000 employees,…
Wilson Taylor
International Specialists in Cathodic Protection Managing Director Bernard Koh says that Wilson Taylor will continue to develop and acquire new technologies in order to better serve its worldwide customer base Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Arron Rampling Formed in 1997, Wilson Taylor Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (WTA P) is a leading cathodic protection company based in Singapore, covering all aspects of corrosion control, cathodic protection systems and engineering services, as well as a supplier of corrosion protection services relating to coatings, pipeline integrity and reinforced concrete structures. WTA P Group has subsidiary companies based in Hong Kong known as Wilson Taylor Far East Limited (WTFE) and a representative office in Jakarta.Boasting both a management and engineering team with many years of experience in cathodic protection, WTA P operates an ISO 9001:2008 certified foundry in Singapore and additional sites located in Johor, Malaysia, in Qingdao, and near Shanghai in China. These facilities are conveniently located near to the shipyards in order to produce sacrificial anodes for the marine, industrial and offshore markets. The regions covered by the Wilson Taylor Group include China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam and stocks of sacrificial anodes are carried at a number of the above locations. In addition to sacrificial anodes, the company also sells and services impressed current cathodic protection and anti-fouling systems which are offered throughout the region. “Our industrial cathodic protection covers engineering design consultancy, feasibility studies, comprehensive site surveys, specification and drawing services, turnkey design, supply, supervision, installation and commissioning,…
Taiwanese Tech Giant ASUS Expands Global Footprint
ASUS, the Taiwanese technology innovation brand, has appointed Andre Goosen to the position of Country Service Manager, a new role created in line with ASUS’ increased focus on after sales service. “As our market share in South Africa has grown during the course of 2014, we have seen the need for a dedicated Country Service Manager to manage relationships with our third party repair centres, and to work with our customers to facilitate the best possible after-sales service,” says Luuk Dobbe, Regional Service Account Manager, ASUS. “In the unlikely event that an ASUS device requires repair, we want to be sure that our customers have a completely seamless experience when they’re engaging with us to make that happen.” “I have extensive experience in repairing computers myself, so I have a deep knowledge of the intricacies of the repair and maintenance side of the technology business,” Goosen says. “I’m going to take my practical knowledge, along with my experience as a service manager, and use this combination to address any service and repairs related issues going forward, to ensure ASUS customer experience is always positive.” Part of Goosen’s portfolio will be to expand its base of third party service providers, both in South Africa and in Southern African countries where the brand is represented. ASUS already has a service partner in Zimbabwe, but Goosen will seek to establish relationships with service providers in Namibia, Botswanan, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. “The first notebook I bought was an ASUS back in the early 1990s, and I have been impressed with the…
Tata Power Solar Completes 25 Years of Harnessing Solar Power
Tata Power Solar, India’s largest integrated solar player, has announced the completion of 25 years in the global renewable energy space.A pioneer in the Indian solar market, Tata Power Solar has influenced more than 30 million people and reduced carbon footprint by more than 6.2 million tonnes as of 2014.With businesses in cell & module manufacturing, EPC (engineering, procurement & construction) services and off-grid solutions, Tata Power Solar is one the oldest solar energy companies in the world.As well as being recently ranked the number one third-party EPC player, the company is also the leading domestic module supplier and rooftop solar player in the industrial and commercial segment, for 2014, by Bridge to India; as a consequence of its quality, efficiency, customer care and reliability.Commenting on the occasion, Ajay Goel, CEO, Tata Power Solar said, “Our 25 year journey is a testimony to the path-breaking work done in transforming lives of communities across the country.“We hope to help countless customers adopt cleaner and efficient means of energy adoption, as well as mobilise communities with insufficient access to energy. As we steadily tread forward, we aim at expanding our reach into deeper parts of the country where we can contribute towards sustainability and make a mark by improving lives of millions more.”The company has strived to make solar power accessible to the far-flung regions of India, touching thousands of lives in every corner of the country, energising communities.Having built strong partnerships with numerous governments, non-profits and rural banks, Tata Power Solar has empowered those mired in energy…
Xiaomi Becomes Fourth-Biggest Smartphone Seller
Xiaomi is now the fourth-biggest seller of smartphones worldwide, right behind Huawei, according to Gartner. Xiaomi sold 15.8 million units in the third quarter of this year, a 322 percent increase from the same period a year ago, when Gartner reported it sold 3.6 million units. Xiaomi isn't the only Chinese smartphone-maker that saw growth in sales year over year. Three of the top five smartphone-makers worldwide are Chinese companies including Huawei, Xiaomi and Lenovo. Collectively, these three companies accounted for about 15 percent of all smartphone sales in the third quarter. The other two leading handset companies were Samsung, which sold 73.2 million units, and Apple, which sold 38.2 million smartphones. Apple's iPhones sales grew 26 percent from a year ago, while Samsung's sales dropped 10.8 percent, according to Gartner. In China alone, which is Samsung's biggest market, its sales fell 28.6 percent. SOURCE: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102269540
China to Build $31 Billion Worth of New Infrastructure
China's economic planner has approved the construction of 192 billion yuan ($31 billion) of roads and an airport in the latest government effort to increase investment and support a slowing economy. Five roads will be built in the southern and central region and provinces of Guangxi, Guangdong and Sichuan, the National Development and Reform Commission said on its website. China's economic planner has approved the construction of 192 billion yuan ($31 billion) of roads and an airport in the latest government effort to increase investment and support a slowing economy. Five roads will be built in the southern and central region and provinces of Guangxi, Guangdong and Sichuan, the National Development and Reform Commission said on its website. It said that 80 billion yuan would be invested in Beijing to build a third airport in the capital city.Investment is a crucial driver of the world's second-largest economy, but it has slowed this year as authorities try to re-engineer the growth model by reducing inefficient state spending and encouraging domestic consumption. Official data showed investment, which accounted for nearly 42 percent of China's economic growth in the first nine months of this year, grew at its slowest pace in nearly 13 years between January and November at 15.8 percent. Listless growth in investment and a sagging housing market have led some analysts to predict that China may slip into its worst economic cool down in nearly a quarter of a century this year as annual growth hits a 24-year-low of 7.4 percent.SOURCE: http://www.cnbc.com/id/102270776
Hyflux Consortium Awarded S$328m Project in Oman
The project, worth an estimated US$250 million (S$328 million), was awarded by the government-owned Oman Power and Water Procurement Co. A consortium, comprising Hyflux and National Power and Water Co, has been awarded an international tender to design, build, own and operate an independent water project in Qurayyat, Oman. The project, worth an estimated US$250 million (S$328 million), was awarded by the government-owned Oman Power and Water Procurement Co (OPWP), Hyflux said in a news release issued on Friday (Dec 19). It involves a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant with a designed capacity of 200,000 cubic metres per day. Under the letter of award, the consortium will need to further finalise details of the project with OPWP, and the award is contingent upon satisfying certain conditions precedent.The project is scheduled to commence commercial operation by May 2017 under a 20-year water purchase agreement with OPWP. Hyflux’s role includes turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) – a contract valued at US$210 million – as well as operations and maintenance of the plant. Hyflux said the project is not expected to have a material financial impact on the company for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2014. SOURCE: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/singapore/hyflux-consortium-awarded/1538970.html
Bank of Japan Share More Upbeat View on Economy
The Bank of Japan on Friday (Dec 19) struck a more upbeat view of the world's number three economy, saying exports were showing signs of picking up while factory output has started to "bottom out". The comments came after policymakers wrapped up a two-day meeting where they voted by an 8-1 margin to hold off fresh easing measures, after announcing in late October a huge expansion of the BoJ's asset-buying programme. The yen weakened slightly against the dollar and euro after the announcement, with the focus now on bank governor Haruhiko Kuroda's regular post-meeting news briefing later in the day for any hints about policy moves in the new year. "Japan's economy has continued to recover moderately as a trend ... (while) overseas economies -- mainly advanced economies - have been recovering, albeit with a lacklustre performance still seen in part," the BoJ said in a post-meeting statement. "In this situation, exports have shown signs of picking up." Private consumption remains "resilient" while real-estate investment has "started to bottom out", the bank said, echoing its view of factory output, which edged up 0.2 per cent on-month in October, beating market expectations. "Business sentiment has generally stayed at a favourable level, although some cautiousness has been observed," it added. The announcement came after the BoJ's quarterly Tankan survey this week showed confidence among major Japanese manufacturers edged down in the three months to December. A separate bank report Thursday highlighted caution among firms that were holding a record amount of cash equivalent to almost half the country's gross domestic product, despite calls for more…