Technological Challenges in a Rapidly Evolving Region
South East Asia is experiencing a phase of accelerated technological and economic growth. The region is emerging as the global growth leader and is on track to becoming the world’s fifth largest economy by 2020, and is expected to generate S$7.9 billion (approximately US$5.8 billion) in aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul demand in 2018. Leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing also shared that the region needs more than 4,200 aircraft to serve travelling needs in the coming years.
On top of that, the region is seeing continuous technological disruption. This includes the evolution of electrification, rising manufacturing demands and digital methodologies that will uncover new ways of working.
In technology-driven industries such as aviation, companies have to be mindful of sustainability initiatives. Singapore’s most recent Budget 2018, for instance, revealed plans to impose a corporate carbon tax by 2019. Hence, companies that want to stay ahead must balance growth and sustainability in order to truly succeed.
Collaboration Accelerates Innovation
To solve these complex issues quickly, the region has to speed up its rate of innovation. Collaboration can provide the answer. For example, governments are now offering businesses platforms to encourage innovation through co-development with the introduction of collaborative initiatives across the region. Not only will collaboration allow companies to come up with solutions at a quicker pace, but the process will be more economically efficient when leveraging the respective strengths of different organisations.
The business of collaboration is extremely crucial for a company like Rolls-Royce. With the urgent need to create more efficient, reliable power, smarter manufacturing technologies and deeper insights for better business decision-making, Rolls-Royce has established strategic partnerships with research organisations, universities and enterprises around the world—and within South East Asia.
The Rolls-Royce UTC Strategy in Singapore
The strategy is a showcase of collaborative action. Currently, we have set up 30 University Technology Centres (UTC) across the globe. This unique approach puts us in close contact with world-class academic institutions and access to a wealth of talent and creativity for innovation. The Rolls-Royce UTC strategy will result in better agility and efficiency to tackle some of the world’s largest technological challenges.
In Singapore, in 2013, Rolls-Royce partnered with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to create the Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab. The goal of the S$75 million collaboration is to resolve technological challenges within and beyond South East Asia by combining Rolls-Royce’s industrial expertise and business capabilities together with NTU’s research and academic skills. It focuses on three main areas: electrical and control systems, data analytics and complex systems and manufacturing and repair technology.
Innovations developed in the Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab power Rolls-Royce’s operations in Singapore and beyond. Some of our business units in Singapore have benefitted directly from the lab’s advanced research, including the Seletar Assembly and Test Unit (SATU) and the Wide Chord Fan Blade manufacturing facility (FBSG). The benefits also extend to Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited (SAESL), which provides MRO support of our Trent engines currently in service. The lab further strengthens our portfolio, broadens our range of services and applications and speeds up the go-to-market times for new products.