A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (A*STAR SIMTech)

“𝐆𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝” 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐫 By Dr David Low, Executive Director, A*STAR SIMTech and Chief Executive Officer, A*STAR ARTC. This year’s National Day theme, “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!”, has stayed with me because it speaks to what progress looks like not only for Singapore, but also for our local SMEs.   For SMEs, “go beyond” can take many forms. It may mean developing a breakthrough invention or building a new facility. But just as often, it can also mean setting up a machine faster, improving a production process, or giving a team the confidence to work differently.   Take Fidel Engineering and Trading for instance.    In its high-mix, low-volume aerospace operations, each machine changeover took hours and required multiple operators. With complex products and a wide mix of production requirements, it was difficult to standardise workflows and reduce production time.   For Fidel, the opportunity was not simply to introduce new tools, but to rethink how work was coordinated and carried out on the shopfloor. A*STAR’s SIMTech & ARTC - Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO), which transfers A*STAR SIMTech and ARTC’s knowledge and capabilities to the industry workforce through practical, hands-on training, worked with Fidel to address these challenges.   Through mentorship and smart engineering support, the team designed standardised fixtures and new machining workflows to drastically reduce setup times. Machinists also became more comfortable with digital processes and took on new responsibilities involving automation monitoring and handling.   What stands out to me about this example is that technology alone was not the story. The improvements came from strengthening the capabilities of Fidel’s own team, so that better ways of working could take root within the company.   And the results were encouraging: 📉 Setup time: Reduced by 83% 📉 Misalignment rework: Decreased by 75% 📈 Machine utilisation: Improved by 16 percentage points   More importantly, these were not one-off gains. The know-how now sits within Fidel’s team, supporting its ability to keep improving over time.   Technology creates opportunities, but people turn knowledge into lasting improvements.   As we reflect on what it means to “go beyond”, I encourage SMEs facing operational or capability challenges to start with one problem worth solving and a willingness to explore a better way of working.   Connect with our KTO team to find out how A*STAR can support your capability-building journey.   Explore training courses organised by KTO at https://lnkd.in/gWBmQWV9 Watch Fidel's Training Journey: https://lnkd.in/g4fRVztE

We are deeply honoured to share that S&A PMO has been recognised as the Winner of the 2026 Asia-Pacific PMO of the Year and named one of the five finalists for the 2026 World PMO of the Year.   This recognition is a proud moment for our PMO, and it belongs to everyone who has contributed to our journey: our programme and project managers, researchers, engineers, business teams, leadership and industry partners.   It reflects the power of a shared vision, strong collaboration and a collective commitment to delivering meaningful impact. Excellence is never the work of one individual. It is built through trust, resilience and the dedication of teams working together towards a common purpose.   For us, the true value of a PMO is not only measured by what it delivers, but by the confidence it builds, the people it develops and the lasting impact it creates.   Being recognised on the Asia-Pacific stage, and now among the world’s top five PMOs, is both an incredible honour and a reminder that our journey continues. There is still more to learn, more to improve and more value to create for our organisation, our partners and the industries we serve.   #PMIAwards #PMIGlobalSummit David Low Chow Cher Wong Arvind Prithiviraj PMP® Joshua Sim Raguram Muthu Cai Junjie Alvin Seow Chey Hong Goh Low Eng Koon Shameen Sazali Zhou Yujie Jolynn Leong Jia Hui, PMP® Yi Wei Tan Kiang Sum Chia

This National Day, we celebrate Singapore's resilience, innovation and progress. At A*STAR SIMTech, we are proud to empower SMEs with advanced manufacturing technologies and innovation, helping businesses build capabilities, enhance competitiveness and grow sustainably. Happy 61st National Day, Singapore!❤️

Advance your sustainability journey with a "Deep Dive into TR 149 for Environmental Sustainability Organisations" - a course jointly launched by Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), A*STAR SIMTech and A*STAR Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (A*STAR ARTC)!   Designed for organisations seeking to strengthen environmental sustainability and operational excellence, this course provides practical guidance on understanding and implementing TR 149 across the organisation.   Participants will learn to: ✅ Understand the requirements across all 11 TR 149 domains ✅ Apply TR 149 principles through practical implementation examples ✅ Gain hands-on experience through facilitated roleplay and assessment exercises ✅ Build the capability to conduct TR 149 assessments within their own organisations   This initiative also seeks to raise industry awareness of TR 149 and gather feedback to inform the development of a broader SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)-funded training programme in the future.   Register Now: https://lnkd.in/gqMhdyGD  

A*STAR SIMTech was honoured to host H.E. President To Lam of Vietnam and his delegation, as well as Minister for Digital Development and Information Mrs Josephine Teo during their visit to A*STAR SIMTech!   During the visit, the delegation was introduced to Cyber-Physical Production System (CPPS) technologies at A*STAR SIMTech’s Model Factory that demonstrate how data-driven, connected manufacturing can enhance productivity, agility, and operational decision-making.   A*STAR SIMTech is excited to support deeper collaboration between Singapore and Vietnam for advanced manufacturing innovations and industry transformation!

Hari Raya Haji is a meaningful occasion that brings communities together in reflection, gratitude, and the spirit of giving✨ From all of us at SIMTech, we wish everyone celebrating a Selamat Hari Raya Haji!🌙

A*STAR SIMTech is proud to have TessaCast, developed by Innovation Factory, featured at Milan Design Week 2026 as part of Singapore’s “Prototype Island” showcase by the DesignSingapore Council!👏 The showcase brought together 15 projects from Singapore demonstrating how design, engineering and technology can address real world challenges across healthcare, sustainability and everyday living ✅ TessaCast reimagines the traditional orthopaedic cast with a focus on improved comfort and breathability for patients, reflecting ongoing design and innovation efforts for improved outcomes in healthcare applications. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gyFWC6Xs

Labour Day honours the dedication and contributions of workers across all industries who keep our communities moving forward🌟 From everyone at A*STAR SIMTech, we wish you a Happy Labour Day!💪

Translating innovation into sustainable industrial capabilities. Through our collaboration with Mencast Marine Pte Ltd, we achieved measurable cost reductions and extended tool lifespans, supporting their designation as a Rolls-Royce service provider. The A*STAR-Singapore Airlines-SIA Engineering Company Joint Lab has also enabled local enterprises to produce over 100,000 cabin components in Singapore. At A*STAR SIMTech, we continue to translate advanced technologies into practical solutions by strengthening capabilities, enhancing resilience, and shaping the future of Singapore’s manufacturing sector!

🌟 From Innovation To Impact: Advancing Manufacturing Together 🌟   From industry engagements and partnerships to milestone impact, we celebrate our shared journey of meaningful progress and collaborative success!   SIMTech remains committed to driving Smart and Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing in our ecosystem. As we move forward into RIE 2030, we look forward to needle-shifting innovation, transformative R&D, strengthened strategic collaborations, and supporting local enterprises towards a more sustainable and globally competitive manufacturing industry. 🚀