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SPEECH BY MR JULIAN HO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENERGY, CHEMICALS & ENGINEERING SERVICES CLUSTER, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF 3M’S NEW MANUFACTURING PLANT ON 2 MAY 2008, 10.00 AM, AT TUAS LINK 4
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State (Ministry of Trade & Industry)
Mr John Woodworth, Senior Vice President, Corporate Supply Chain Operations, 3M Company
Dr Jay Ihlenfeld, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, 3M Company
Mr Donald Chang, Regional Managing Director, Southeast Asia, 3M Asia Pacific
Friends,
1. Good morning. I would like to thank John and Jay for making the trip to Singapore to be with us today.
Project Significance
2. It is a pleasure for me to be part of this groundbreaking ceremony, bears much significance to EDB and Singapore. It brings the 3M-Singapore partnership, dating back to 1966 when 3M set up its sales office, to the new level
- When completed, this plant will produce a wide variety of specialty films. Coatings is one of the most important and innovative platforms for 3M. I understand that this facility will be 3M’s most advanced coating facility outside US, a fact that is not lost on us. Thank you, for your trust in Singapore.
- Today is significant also because from this facility, 3M envisions to grow Singapore into a SuperHub – one that does not only manufacture goods, but also conducts active R&D to deliver new product innovations to the market. In essence, Singapore will become an important key node for arguably the world's most innovative company. This is an endorsement of Singapore’s strategy to host knowledge- and innovation-intensive activities.
3. We are therefore honoured to have 3M make such a “groundbreaking” investment here. This project is a reflection of the trust and long-term partnerships shared between us.
Innovation is key for Singapore to stay competitive
4. I think many would agree that 3M is synonymous with innovation. We make notes and markings on Post-It pads; we paste Nexcare over open wounds; we wash dishes with Scotch-Brites. These innovations steam from a culture of innovation that has been encapsulated by 3M’s former Chairman William McKnight into what is known within 3M as McKnight’s Principles – a philosophy of allowing bright minds the ability to exercise their initiative in a management environment that celebrates and encourages it. It is a culture that has helped 3M generate disruptive innovations that have touched the lives of all of us.
5. Like 3M, EDB believes that technology and innovation are critical to the continued development and competitiveness of our economy. Beyond just putting in place a strong scientific foundation, it is equally important that we create an environment and culture that allows innovation to flourish – a culture of respect for IP and a tolerance for experimentation.
Importance of collaborations with the private sector
6. The Singapore government has identified R&D as a key driver of future growth, and is accelerating R&D efforts on every front. But while investing in our people and knowledge infrastructure like Research Institutes are important, more can be done. We also need to create an environment that enhances the innovative capacity of our industries. To this end, we believe that it is the interplay and exchange of knowledge between academia, industry and government that will set us apart.
7. Our effort in the emerging area of plastic electronics is one such example. We launched the Public-Private sector Partnership (P3) Plastic Electronics Program in September last year to foster greater cooperation between the public and private industry players to develop and showcase commercially viable innovations in plastic electronics. A dedicated thematic-research focus in Polymer & Molecular Electronics Devices within the Institute of Materials Research & Engineering (IMRE) was created, and EDB has gone out to encourage leading players to partner with us. BASF is one such partner – they have established an organic electronics competence centre in Singapore. We have seen good traction amongst other companies, who see value in this partnership between industry and academia, supported by the government. I hope to share more new announcements in the coming months.
Conclusion
8. We will continue our efforts to strengthen our environment for innovation. In this regard, today’s ceremony gives me great cause for optimism. As 3M grows its Superhub here to include research & development activities, I am certain Singapore will benefit from the tremendous energies of creativity and innovation that IS 3M.
9. So, on that note, let me congratulate 3M and thank them for their faith and trust in Singapore. I wish the staff every success for the project’s safe and successful implementation, and I want to assure you of EDB’s continued commitmen
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