media release - Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
media release - Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
media release - Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
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JOINT PRESS RELEASE<br />
30 September 2008<br />
A*STAR AND LEADERS IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY FORM<br />
CONSORTIUM TO CONDUCT PRE-COMPETITIVE R&D<br />
Bosch, Dou Yee, Infineon and Th!nk Global sign MOU for research in<br />
areas such as car communications, infotainment and manufacturing<br />
processes<br />
1. Bosch, Dou Yee, Infineon and Th!nk Global, major players <strong>of</strong> the global<br />
automotive industry from Germany, Norway and <strong>Singapore</strong>, joined the Agency<br />
for Science, <strong>Technology</strong> and Research (A*STAR) to form the A*STAR<br />
Capabilities for Automotive Research (A*CAR) consortium today. They also<br />
signed a Memorandum <strong>of</strong> Understanding (MOU) with A*STAR to affirm their<br />
commitment to collaborate. The newly formed A*CAR Consortium aims to<br />
drive technological advancement and innovation in the automotive sector in<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong>.<br />
2. The A*CAR Consortium will be able to tap the diverse and multidisciplinary<br />
research capabilities, scientific infrastructure and resources in the<br />
seven research institutes <strong>of</strong> A*STAR’s Science and Engineering Research<br />
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Council (SERC) to conduct pre-competitive 1 , basic and applied research work.<br />
It aims to address technological challenges in five key areas, namely:<br />
• Car Communications & Safety<br />
• Connected Car & Infotainment<br />
• Electronics;<br />
• Precision Engineering and Materials; and<br />
• Alternative Energy<br />
3. Open to all companies in the automotive industry, the A*CAR<br />
Consortium will give members full access to the R&D results developed in the<br />
pre-competitive research as well as the option <strong>of</strong> sending their staff on<br />
attachment to work on joint research projects with the researchers from SERC<br />
research institutes. Such collaborative research will not only reduce risks and<br />
deflect the high R&D costs involved in research, but will also enable members<br />
to train manpower and foster strategic networking. This is with the objective <strong>of</strong><br />
lending technical expertise and support to local automotive supplier companies<br />
in their move up the automotive value chain.<br />
4. Said Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR, who launched the A*CAR<br />
Consortium at the <strong>Singapore</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Manufacturing</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> (SIMTech),<br />
“The A*CAR consortium is a step in the right direction. In bringing the industry<br />
and the research community together in collaborative automotive research for<br />
technological advancement and innovation, A*CAR will strengthen the local<br />
supplier industry with continuing technological infusion and contribute to<br />
enhance <strong>Singapore</strong>’s global competitiveness in the automotive industry.”<br />
5. Said Pr<strong>of</strong> Chong Tow Chong, Executive Director <strong>of</strong> SERC, “By coming<br />
together to form the A*CAR Consortium, the companies have at once<br />
articulated their confidence in A*STAR’s capabilities to develop innovations and<br />
know-how to meet the global technological challenges. They also affirm the<br />
consortium’s ability to drive innovation across the industry value-chain, tap the<br />
1 Pre-competitive research can be thought <strong>of</strong> as work where companies are not adverse to their<br />
competitors having equal access to the results <strong>of</strong> the research, and thus enjoying equal<br />
benefits.<br />
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vast opportunities available in the industry and contribute to the overall<br />
increase in R&D activities in <strong>Singapore</strong>”.<br />
6. “Bosch decided to join the A*CAR initiative as it exposes us to a different<br />
way <strong>of</strong> R&D work. It provides us the opportunity to pool our resources and<br />
knowledge with other specialised companies in a pre-competitive phase. We<br />
are confident that this platform for mutual exchange and interaction, will not<br />
only benefit from the vast cultural diversity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Singapore</strong>; it will encourage<br />
innovations specific to the needs <strong>of</strong> the markets in this region,” said Mr Cem<br />
Peksaglam, President and Managing Director <strong>of</strong> Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd.<br />
7. “Dou Yee has developed and improved metal-powder injection moulding<br />
(MIM) and composite plastics compounding capabilities for many years. We<br />
want to participate in the A*CAR consortium for closer networking and<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> the requirements from automotive industries. We believe that<br />
with our existing advanced understanding <strong>of</strong> the technologies and current<br />
infrastructure, Dou Yee is suitably qualified to be one <strong>of</strong> the potential suppliers<br />
to the automotive industries,” said Mr Soo Ye Wah, Managing Director, Dou<br />
Yee International Pte Ltd<br />
8. Said Mr. Andrew Chong, Deputy Regional President, Infineon<br />
Technologies Asia Pacific, “Infineon’s semiconductor solutions for automotive<br />
address current trends like CO2 reduction, car safety and connectivity.<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> has a proven track record as a good test-bed and show case <strong>of</strong> new<br />
technologies such as the next generation application <strong>of</strong> electronic toll collection<br />
system. Systems and standards that require the contributions from the entire<br />
value chain from car makers to infrastructure providers are best addressed by<br />
an R&D consortium like A*CAR in a conducive environment like <strong>Singapore</strong>, to<br />
gain the best possible results.“<br />
Background<br />
9. The A*CAR consortium is modelled on the successful A*STAR<br />
Aerospace Programme launched in January 2007. The A*STAR Aerospace<br />
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programme brings together four aerospace giants <strong>of</strong> Boeing, EADS, Pratt &<br />
Whitney, and Rolls-Royce in a first consortium <strong>of</strong> its kind to engage in precompetitive<br />
research across <strong>Singapore</strong>'s aerospace industry. The consortium<br />
has since been expanded to include four new members, namely the SIA<br />
Engineering Company; UK-based non-destructive equipment manufacturer<br />
Sonatest Limited; Germany-based laser manufacturer R<strong>of</strong>in-Baasel <strong>Singapore</strong>;<br />
and <strong>Singapore</strong>-based small-and-medium enterprise IDI Laser Services.<br />
For further clarification and queries, please contact the following:<br />
Ms Ng Koon Ling<br />
A*STAR<br />
Tel: +65 6826 6338<br />
HP: +65 9799 5229<br />
Email: ng_koon_ling@a-star.edu.sg<br />
Ms Zann Hong<br />
Division <strong>of</strong> Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd<br />
Tel: +65 63505436<br />
HP: +65 90888438<br />
Email : zann.hong@sg.bosch.com<br />
David Ong<br />
Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific Pte<br />
Ltd<br />
Tel: +65 68763070<br />
Email: david.ong@infineon.com<br />
Ms Lee Swee Heng<br />
<strong>Singapore</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Manufacturing</strong><br />
<strong>Technology</strong>, A*STAR<br />
Tel: +65 6793 8368<br />
HP: +65 9620 3902<br />
E-mail: shlee@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg<br />
Desmond T.C. Ang<br />
Dou Yee International Pte Ltd<br />
Tel: +65 6249 6107<br />
Email: desmond.ang@douyee.com.sg<br />
Richard P. Blundell<br />
Think Global AS<br />
Tel: +44.20.7352.2520<br />
Mobile:+44.77.88.646.615<br />
Email: richard.blundell@think.no<br />
About the Agency for Science, <strong>Technology</strong> and Research (A*STAR)<br />
A*STAR is <strong>Singapore</strong>'s lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and<br />
talent for a vibrant knowledge-based <strong>Singapore</strong>. A*STAR actively nurtures public<br />
sector research and development in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and<br />
Engineering, with a particular focus on fields essential to <strong>Singapore</strong>'s manufacturing<br />
industry and new growth industries. It oversees 19 research institutes and consortia<br />
and supports extramural research with the universities, hospital research centres and<br />
other local and international partners. At the heart <strong>of</strong> this knowledge intensive work is<br />
human capital. Top local and international scientific talent drive knowledge creation at<br />
A*STAR research institutes. The Agency also sends scholars for undergraduate,<br />
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graduate and post-doctoral training in the best universities, a reflection <strong>of</strong> the high<br />
priority A*STAR places on nurturing the next generation <strong>of</strong> scientific talent.<br />
For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.<br />
About the Bosch Group<br />
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier <strong>of</strong> technology and services. In the areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology,<br />
some 271,000 associates generated sales <strong>of</strong> 46.3 billion euros in fiscal 2007. The<br />
Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and<br />
regional companies in roughly 50 countries. This worldwide development,<br />
manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year,<br />
Bosch spends more than 3 billion euros for research and development, and applies for<br />
over 3,000 patents worldwide. The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert<br />
Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.”<br />
The special ownership structure <strong>of</strong> Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the<br />
entrepreneurial freedom <strong>of</strong> the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to<br />
plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the<br />
safeguarding <strong>of</strong> its future. Ninety-two percent <strong>of</strong> the share capital <strong>of</strong> Robert<br />
Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The<br />
majority <strong>of</strong> voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial<br />
trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The<br />
remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.<br />
About Bosch in <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
Bosch has been present in <strong>Singapore</strong> since 1923. It is represented in <strong>Singapore</strong><br />
by five companies - Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd, Bosch Security Systems Pte Ltd,<br />
Bosch Rexroth Pte Ltd, Bosch Packaging <strong>Technology</strong> Pte Ltd and BSH Home<br />
Appliances Pte Ltd, which is a joint venture with Siemens.<br />
Robert Bosch (SEA) Pte Ltd is the headquarters for the region, with a branch <strong>of</strong>fice in<br />
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and subsidiaries in the Philippines, Thailand ,Vietnam and<br />
Indonesia. <strong>Singapore</strong> also houses the Asia Pacific Center for Corporate Research and<br />
Advance Engineering as well as the IT Centre for Asia Pacific with an IT operations<br />
centre to service more than 200 Bosch locations in the region and an IT R&D facility to<br />
design and develop global IT platforms and systems for Bosch. Together with the Asia<br />
Pacific headquarters for the business divisions <strong>of</strong> Automotive Aftermarket and Security<br />
Systems , <strong>Singapore</strong> is the regional <strong>of</strong>fice for Bosch in Southeast Asia.<br />
For more information, please visit www.bosch.com.sg<br />
About Dou Yee International Pte Ltd<br />
Dou Yee International Pte Ltd is the premier total industrial solutions provider in the<br />
Asia Pacific region, serving with distinction the semiconductor, data storage and<br />
electronics Industry since 1982. It has 32 international branch <strong>of</strong>fices strategically<br />
located around the world.<br />
About Infineon<br />
Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg, Germany, <strong>of</strong>fers semiconductor and system<br />
solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society: energy efficiency,<br />
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communications, and security. In the 2007 fiscal year (ending September), the<br />
company reported sales <strong>of</strong> Euro 7.7 billion (including Qimonda sales <strong>of</strong> Euro 3.6<br />
billion) with approximately 43,000 employees worldwide (including approximately<br />
13,500 Qimonda employees). With a global presence, Infineon operates through its<br />
subsidiaries in the U.S. from Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from <strong>Singapore</strong>,<br />
and in Japan from Tokyo. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on<br />
the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX).<br />
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