Issue 17
Singapore Aero Engine Services (SAESL)
Expertise and PrecisionWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager:Tom Cullum For nearly 15 years, Singapore Aero Engine Services Limited (SAESL) has been one of the pioneering manufacturing companies in the region, cementing its position as Rolls-Royce’s Trent Centre of Excellence to lay the foundations for an ever-increasing influence in the wider sector.Specialising in the repair and overhaul of Rolls-Royce’s Trent aero engine assortment - including the Trent 500, Trent 700, Trent 800 and Trent 900 for both Airbus and Boeing aircraft - the Company’s growth is evidence enough of the operational excellence achieved since its inception in 2001; subsequently carrying out work on more than 2,000 engines for clients across three continents.All told, SAESL’s portfolio comprises operations alongside 15 globally notorious businesses, applying its highly reputed range of services which include not only engine overhauls, but also more specific component maintenance and repairs, engine testing and on-wing support through boroscoping and boroblending.“Through its parent companies, SAESL combines the knowledge of Rolls-Royce, an original equipment manufacturer, with 20 years of overhaul experience of Hong-Kong Aero Engine Services Limited and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company,” the Company explains. “SAESL has an innovative state-of-the-art, in-line gantry system that is capable of handling module change and module overhaul work...This gives us flexibility to manage our engine load.“Our qualified and experienced overhaul support team provides 24-seven assistance to all our customers. Additionally, we offer advanced component repair capabilities and are the recognised Rolls-Royce Centre of Excellence for compressor blade repair amongst other high technology repair processes.”Leveraging expertiseAs one of the world’s most renowned and active manufacturers, the…
Cummins Sales & Services Singapore
Unleashing the Power of Cummins Writer: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Eddie Clinton As one of the world’s most renowned and reputed manufacturing entities, Cummins has long had to find a balance between standardising market-leading practices on a global scale with a close adherence to local regulations and trends, but has certainly achieved just that in Southeast Asia from its Singaporean base.Present in the region for the best part of two decades, Cummins Sales and Service Singapore acts as an increasingly pivotal hub within its wider international strategy; a hub which also incorporates a presence in Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.Given that the global behemoth finds itself situated in more than 190 countries all-told, its saturation in this market may not be surprising, but the ability to replicate business models, business successes and market share dominance across its distribution, filtration, engine manufacturing and power generation arms nevertheless remains impressive.The key to the business’s continued and consistent positive standing in the sector derives from a clearly laid out set of missions and considerations which filter down from the very top of the Group hierarchy, and across every inch of its worldwide network.“Making people’s lives better by unleashing the power of Cummins,” stands head and shoulders above all philosophies and is applied by each and every one of the Group’s 54,000 employees.“The Company takes pride in manufacturing technologies that serve the varied needs of its customers worldwide,” Cummins emphasises on its website. “To do that, Cummins unleashes the power of its employees. Their energy and commitment make it…
Igel Electric GmbH
Efficient Motor Starting and StoppingWriter: Andreas Fornwald, CEO, IGEL Electric GmbHProject Manager: Ben Weaver Both in low and medium voltages, three-phase induction motors are the most widely used, due to their availability, simplicity, robustness and low cost. Despite these advantages of the “industrial-standard-motors”, their operation presents great challenges for many companies, especially regarding motor starting and stopping. Companies are able to handle these challenges depending on their specific conditions.During direction line (DOL) starting and stopping, low and medium voltage motors experience starting currents of up to eight times the nominal current, high acceleration rate or high torque. These characteristics cause voltage dips in the network as well as mechanical wear, and in some cases, destruction of equipment; for example the gearing, couplings, shafts, belts or fragile parts of products.One of the most common problems during motor starting and stopping is the so-called water hammer in pipelines, caused by sudden reduction of flow rate during sudden stopping of the pump. Although the motor-pump combination is hardly under any mechanical stress, this is not the case for the valves, and the pipeline. A repair of such equipment is very time-consuming and costly.Raising regulatory requirementsUtilities and regulatory bodies are also steadily raising the requirements for three-phase induction motors. Various EU-regulations aim to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The “Amendment 04/2014”, following the IEC 60034-30:2008, deals with the energy consumption, energy efficiency and energy classes (IE) of three-phase induction motors. Hereby the following classification is established:• IE1 (Standard Efficiency)• IE2 (High Efficiency)• IE3 (Premium Efficiency)• IE4 (Super Premium Efficiency)The certification according to…
Apollo Towers Myanmar
World-Class Tower PropositionWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Donovan Smith In 2013, Myanmar’s President, Thein Sein signed into effect the Telecom Law, constituting one of the last true greenfield telecom opportunities in the world. As part of the country’s continuing effort to open up to the rest of the world through foreign investment opportunities, the new Law provided an exciting opportunity for telecommunications start-up Company, Apollo Towers.Founded in 2013 by telecom veteran, Sanjiv Ahuja - who is well regarded in the industry through his former position as Chief Executive Officer of Orange, in addition to his position as Chairman of Eaton Towers in Africa – Apollo Towers Myanmar was comprised of a number of experienced senior decision makers from the very beginning, demonstrating its broad understanding of the tower industry and exhibiting the entrepreneurial talents needed to operate in emerging markets.Coupled with this high calibre senior experience came an equally impressive support structure in the form of major shareholder TPG, a US-based private equity firm which has around $70-80 billion assets under management globally.“Apollo Towers sits within the TPG Growth Fund which focuses predominantly on Southeast Asia. And in July this year, we were pleased to announce Myanmar Investments Limited as a new shareholder; an AIM-listed private equity Company based here on the ground in Yangon,” comments Henry Butler, Corporate Finance Manager of Apollo Towers Myanmar.Having now been in business for more than 18 months, the Company has the largest portfolio of towers among the four telecommunications companies in the country, having recently completed its first order for more than 1,000…
Century Link Asia Pacific
Global Leader in Hybrid ITWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Donovan Smith With an 85 year-long history, stemming from being the second largest telco in the US, CenturyLink has now reached new heights as a global Hybrid IT provider, thanks to making aptly timed acquisitions and strategic moves into cloud and associated services in the late 2000s.Today, the Company has a comprehensive suite of Hybrid IT offerings, including data centre collocation managed services, cloud and network services in the US, EMEA and Asia Pacific.CenturyLink has a global reach across 85 countries with more than 400,000 kilometres (km) of owned and operated fibre network in the US, and a 480,000km international transport network. The CenturyLink Data Centre Initiative (DCI) interconnects not just other CenturyLink data centres and buildings, but to more than 250 third party data centres, and more than 40,000 buildings and offices.“Our comprehensive IT solutions help enterprises accelerate business performance throughout their organisation, and ultimately transforms an IT department from a cost centre into a business enabler,” explains CenturyLink’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Gery Messer. “We began to see a growing trend in businesses outsourcing their workloads to the cloud early in the game, and we identified this as a key focus area to capitalise on, making a decision to enhance our overall offering in accordance with this trend. Looking back, it is obvious we made the right decision and we are ahead of the industry when it comes to our expertise in Hybrid IT,” explains Messer.CenturyLink has come a long way from being a US$2.6 billion business with 6,500…
High Arctic Energy Services
Differentiating through DeliveryWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Eddie Clinton High Arctic Energy Services has capitalised on one of the most prosperous oil & gas regions in the world over the past decade, not only introducing a trademark level of quality across its specialised oilfield services, but doing so in some of the most challenging and treacherous conditions tackled within the industry.Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s double-edged sword of lucrative market opportunity and almost unrivalled difficulty in actually carrying out operations has made it a niche area for operators willing to take on the challenge in recent years, and with the oil price crisis adding a further dimension of risk at present, the ability to differentiate and form a positive reputation has never been more vital.This is exactly what High Arctic has achieved however, meeting its elite array of customers’ needs since 2006 through a unique approach to problem solving, innovation and providing niche, value-added solutions.Vice President of International Operations, Mike Maguire notes: “High Arctic is a Canadian, specialised oilfield services Company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. When the Company first expanded into new countries in 2003, we took the same technologies, processes and our expertise in snubbing and well control services in particular. Once we were established in PNG we quickly evolved our service offering to include drilling and the logistical support of remote drilling operations.“With the operation in PNG, we have had to focus on applying technologies and processes to areas which are much harder to work in,” continues the President of International Operations, Darren Greer.Despite the original foray…
Royal Cargo
Unlimited Cargo HorizonsWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Tom CullumRoyal Cargo has spent decades establishing a solid foundation and strong value proposition, in order to build a global network of companies and trusted agents and become recognised as a total solutions provider for cargo transportation and handling.For 37 years, the Company has demonstrated its ability to capitalise on industry trends and leverage the growth gained to strategically branch-out into new markets across the globe; including Germany, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Palau, Guam and the US.Thanks to an economic boom in the Philippines in the early 90s, dictating an influx in demand for infrastructure projects, Royal Cargo has now shifted its focus to strengthening its vast operations and further improving core technologies; particularly investing in a cloud-based cargo solution, CargoWiseOne (CW1), to improve the process and service efficiencies offered to its clients.With 10 global offices in addition to its headquarters in the Philippines, the Company is proud to have developed its own network of more than 350 partners and agents in more than 100 countries.“Annual revenue growth figures for the past three financial years stand at an impressive 42 percent, with a gross margin of 43 percent and net income of 45 percent. Partially a result of the major contracts we won in our project transportation business - but also our investments in technology - this further reinforces our long-term stance in the global logistics sector,” Royal Cargo President and Chief Executive Office (CEO), Elmer Sarmiento details.ASEAN integrationIn recent years, the Philippines has gained the status of…
Hawksford Strengthens Asian Team with Three Strategic Appointments
Eighteen months after establishing a presence in Asia and following substantive growth, Hawksford is strengthening its commitment in Asian markets by increasing the size of its team.Group Chief Operations Officer, Steve Spybey has been seconded to the Singapore office to support further growth within Hawksford’s Asian business and to consolidate integration across the Company’s international offices.Mr Spybey, who was previously based in the Jersey office, will work closely with the existing team, which is led by Asia chief operating officer Jacqueline Low, as well as continuing to have involvement with Hawksford’s wider strategic direction.Business development manager Alan joins Hawksford from Boardroom has also joined the Singapore office, bringing 12 years experience in professional sales and the development of new client business and partnerships.Furthermore, Trust Manager, Emma Green brings 10 years’ private client experience to the role and will help Hawksford to expand its range of services in the Asian market.The appointments underscore Hawksford’s commitment to the Asian market and will bring greater consistency in positioning its corporate, private client and funds services across its global offices.“I am looking forward to immersing myself in a different culture and applying my experience in European markets to support the next stage of development for Hawksford’s Asian business. There are real opportunities to invest in the business and ensure we are working seamlessly across our global offices,” commented Steve Spybey. Hawksford established a presence in Singapore in March, 2014 and with the acquisition of Janus Corporate Solutions, it further cemented its foothold in Asia by opening an office in Hong…
OPEC Producers Shouldn’t Panic Yet About Slowdown in China
Concerns that the slowdown in China’s economic growth will curb Asia’s energy demand from the Middle East and beyond could be premature. Yes, any hint of weakness in the world’s largest net importer of crude and its second largest economy rings alarm bells in OPEC capitals and in boardrooms across the globe. India and Southeast Asian economies are also flourishing hubs of energy demand, respectively, but China is front and centre.China’s crude imports in the first six months of the year grew by 7.5 percent, slower than the 10 percent pace in the same period of 2014, according to customs data, but still a healthy increase with The demand on Opec producers for crude could rise next year by 900,000 bpd to average 30.1 million bpd OPEC forecasting demand for its oil to rise by one million barrels a day in 2016.The devaluation of China’s currency, the yuan in mid-August fuelled fears in the global markets that China’s debt-driven burst onto the global stage over the past decade could crumble and take the bulk of Asia’s energy demand down with it. But while China overtook the US as the largest crude importer in April for the first time this year and no longer posts 10 percent annual gross domestic product growth, its fiscal future is hardly bleak.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects China to report 6.8 percent growth this year, down from 7.4 percent last year, with 6.3 percent anticipated in 2016. While the forecasts mark China’s slowest economic growth in a quarter of a century,…
Setting the Pace for Global Innovation
Written by Dr. Rafael Escalona Reynoso, Lead Researcher at The Global Innovation IndexWith half of its economies ranked in the top 40, Southeast Asia and Oceania maintain their innovation dynamism this year, according to The Global Innovation Index (GII), 2015. Recognised as a hub for technology and innovation, the region is home to some of the world's largest and most prosperous economies; namely Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong (China) are helping set the pace of innovation globally and are noted to be major contributors to industrial-commercial growth and prosperity in the region.In innovation, the region’s performance is led by high-income economies like Singapore, South Korea and Japan. These nations perform above the regional average in all areas measured by the GII and are on-par with nations at the top of the global rankings. This is especially true for human capital and research, and infrastructure, two of the pillars of the GII, areas in which these nations perform above the global leader, North America. Singapore, in particular, brings to the region outstanding performances in infrastructure and business sophistication, categories in which it holds the highest rankings globally.The GII, which is co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and surveys 141 economies around the world, shows how China and Malaysia, two upper-middle income economies, also help boost the region’s innovation performance. These two are the only non-high-income nations approaching the top 25 economies in the rankings.China displays a strong performance in areas associated with knowledge and technology outputs and is also highest among…