Rolls-Royce is the recipient of Singapore's highest corporate award, given to industry leaders for their significant contributions to the nation's economic, social and community arenas.


Rolls-Royce plc has always been known for its excellence in engineering and it has proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the aerospace, marine and energy markets, where the company is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in air.

For being one of Singapore's key development partners in the country's economic, social and community arenas, Rolls-Royce plc was conferred the Distinguished Partner in Progress Award (DPIP). It is the most prestigious corporate award presented by the Singapore government to companies for their outstanding contributions. Since its inauguration in 1991, 22 foreign corporations, such as Delphi Corporation and Chevron Corporation, have received this award.

Sir John Rose, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce plc, specially flew to Singapore to receive the award from Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Professor S Jayakumar, during a ceremony held in November 2006. "Our partnership with Singapore increasingly reflects our global activity and Rolls-Royce is especially proud to receive this prestigious award in recognition of this partnership," says Sir John.

Strong roots, dedicated ties

A truly global company, Rolls-Royce has pursued its expansion into Asia, a region which now represents 28 per cent of the company's global revenue and 33 per cent of its order book. In fact, Rolls-Royce has identified Asia as the fastest growing region in terms of revenue.

Earmarking Asia as a potential growth area, Rolls-Royce set up its first representative office in Singapore in the 1950s. Nearly half a century later, the company has enjoyed exponential growth in the country where it has sunk in multimillion-dollar worth of investments.

Rolls-Royce currently has a diverse range of operations across the value chain - from maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), technical support, procurement, sales & marketing, HQ functions to R&D - here in Singapore.

"Rolls-Royce has benefited from the valuable business opportunities, excellent talent pool and solid infrastructure that Singapore offers, and in turn, we have been able to contribute to the phenomenal growth of the country through our joint ventures and R&D collaborations," adds Sir John. "We look forward to many years of further development and growth with our partners here."


(L-R): Professor S Jayakumar, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Law; Sir John Rose, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce plc; Jonathan Asherson, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce; and Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director, EDB.

Servicing the world from Singapore

In the aerospace industry, Rolls-Royce now accounts for over 10 per cent of the Republic's output. In 1998, after an initial investment of over S$23.8 million (US$15.5 million) with partner SIA Engineering Company Ltd (SIAEC), International Engine Component Overhaul Pte Ltd was formed and now houses the latest aero-engine nozzle guide vane and compressor stator repair equipment. In 1999, Singapore Aero Engine Services (SAESL) was formed out of a partnership with SIA Engineering Company Ltd and Hong Kong Aero Engineering Services Limited with an investment of S$185 million (US$120.7 million) to establish a major Rolls-Royce Trent aero-engine repair and overhaul centre. Both repair engine facilities are Centres of Excellence in the Rolls-Royce family of MRO shops. Today, Singapore enjoys international recognition as the largest and most comprehensive MRO hub in A with 25 per cent market share in the region.

Over in the maritime sector, Singapore serves as the Asian HQ and technical support centre for Rolls-Royce Marine, a global leader in marine propulsion, engineering and hydrodynamic expertise. Singapore is also the Asian design centre for the company's range of over 35 UT-Design vessels for the offshore, merchant, tug and specialist naval sectors. In the energy arena, it has set up the Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems, sinking in S$160 million (US$104.4 million) to develop and commercialise fuel cell products.

Tapping on Singapore's keen R&D spirit, Rolls-Royce has formed collaborations with leading research institutions such as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) to undertake R&D work into a broad portfolio of cutting-edge technology.

Beyond business and industry, Rolls-Royce has also displayed a high level of corporate social responsibility by participating in various community projects. In February 2006, Rolls-Royce launched its inaugural scholarship scheme with Nanyang Technological University of Singapore for the country's first aerospace engineering degree.

"Our choice of Singapore as a regional hub for many of our activities stems not only from its position as a world-class business and manufacturing centre in the rapidly-growing Asian market, but also the mature and rewarding partnership we have with Singapore Economic Development Board," observes Jonathan Asherson, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce.

For its contribution to Singapore's aerospace, marine and energy sectors' standards and contributing to the country's ascent to becoming a global hub in these areas, Rolls-Royce has shown itself, truly, to be a Distinguished Partner in Progress.