{weblog_url} en christinaoh@smafederation.org.sg Copyright 2012 2012-05-17T03:33:32+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/forging-partnership-with-usa http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/forging-partnership-with-usa   A letter of intent has been signed between SMa and U.S. Department of Commerce to promote business exchange between Singapore and USA.   Signing the letter of intent at the the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Winds —Asia Conference on May 16 was Mr Geoge Huang, SMa President (left) and Honorable Francisco J. Sanchez,Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. SMa looks forward to bringing Singapore companies to USA for further investment. The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Winds —Asia Conference is a multi-sector business development conference and trade mission that will take place from May 16-18, 2012. This Business Development Conference will highlight opportunities and challenges in USA.   SMa News, 2012-05-17T03:33:32+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/voicing-industry-concerns-to-minister http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/voicing-industry-concerns-to-minister SMa’s 11 Industry Group Chairpersons had a chance to voice their business concerns to Minister for Trade & Industry Mr Lim Hng Kiang in a closed-door dialogue session. Manpower matters dominated the discussion, although matters pertaining to specific industries’ concerns and productivity issues were also highlighted. Held on 4 May 12 at SMa’s office, this three-hour dialogue with Minister was led by SMa President, Mr George Huang and attended by Council Members and representatives from Ministries of Manpower, Trade & Industry as well as the Economic Development Board. SMa News, 2012-05-08T03:21:41+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/med-tech-ig-scores-a-first http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/med-tech-ig-scores-a-first SMa Medical Technology Industry Group (MTIG) worked with Health Science Authority (HSA) for the first time to organise a Townhall with MOS (Health) Dr Amy Khor.   (From left) Mr George Huang, President of Singapore Manufacturers' Federation, MOS (Health) Dr Amy Khor and Associate Professor, John Lim, Chief Executive Officer of Health Sciences Authority This event was held in response to feedback from importers who have complained that a backlog of approvals and high registration costs have reduced the range of medical devices imported and delayed their arrival. It provided HSA the platform to explain the kinks in the process which the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has since fine-tuned. Among the changes to the Singapore's medical device registration framework, was that all low- risk Class A devices, except for sterile devices, will now be exempt from registration. At the HSA Press Conference held prior to the Townhall in HSA Building, Mr George Huang, SMa President said: “I’m heartened by the changes made. We will continue to provide feedback to HSA and be the bridge between the industry and the authorities.” The Townhall, held on 20 Apr 12 at SPRING Auditorium was attended by 370 device importers. SMa News, 2012-04-24T04:12:15+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/connecting-with-china http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/connecting-with-china Recent dialogue session between SMa and the People's Republic of China Embassy Economic and Commercial Office, led by Mr Zheng Chao, Minister Counsellor of the China Embassy proved fruitful. Future cooperation between SMa and China in promoting the understanding of Singapore SMEs' key developments were discussed. SMa looks forward to more working opportunities with China. A business mission to China would be coming up in June. Contact liuqinghua@smafederation.org.sg for details.   Mr Zheng Chao, Minister Counsellor of the China Embassy (seated, 3rd from left) in a group photo with key representatives from SMa and People's Republic of China Embassy Economic and Commercial Office. SMa News, 2012-04-19T11:14:39+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/new-training-to-improve-workplace-safety http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/new-training-to-improve-workplace-safety SMa introduced a new training programme to encourage the adoption of Singapore Standards (SS) to reduce downtime from workplace incidents and raise productivity. The first training on SS 568: 2011 – Code of Practice for Confined Spaces, an Approved Code of Practice under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, will be held on 15 May 2012. To be conducted by SMa Centre for Corporate Learning, one of SMa’s six Centres of Excellence, this training will provide safety officers and general workers an in-depth understanding of safety and health considerations when working in confined spaces. SMa-SDO, one of SMa’s six Centres of Excellence which promotes Standards, hopes to encourage companies to leverage on national standards in their action plans to improve workplace safety and health, which will contribute to higher productivity. Said Mr Gwee Seng Kwong, SMa Secretary-General, “This new training programme will raise awareness on workplace safety and health as well as the risks involved in workplaces. By leveraging on SMa’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC@SMa) and Centre for Corporate Learning (CCL), SMa is able to provide a one-stop centre for the adoption of standards as these Centres of Excellence can provide both assistance and training.” The training programme was launched at “General Engineering and Safety Standards Committee (GESSC) Standards eXchange 2012 and Launch of Singapore Standards” seminar. Two Singapore Standards - SS 569: 2011 on the Code of Practice for Manual Handling and SS 571: 2011 on the Code of Practice for Energy Lockout and Tagout to improve safety and health, were also launched by SPRING Singapore at the event, with the support of SMa-SDO.  These standards are revisions of two existing Codes of Practice, namely the CP 92 and CP 91. For details of the training programme on SS 568: 2011 – Code of Practice for Confined Spaces, please contact Ms Teo Wei Jiin at 6826 3044 / weijiin@smafederation.org.sg.   The event, held on 23 Mar 12, was attended by some 150 participants at the Holiday Inn Atrium Hotel. SMa News, 2012-03-23T08:45:32+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/sma-recognised-for-leading-manufacturers http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/sma-recognised-for-leading-manufacturers At yesterday's Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) Forum 2012, SMa was one of the nine associations to receive the LEAD Award for undertaking a new project - the setting up of Singapore Innovation & Productivity Institute (SiPi) after its success in the previous LEAD projects. SiPi is a knowledge enterprise that champions manufacturing excellence through innovation and productivity for Singapore’s manufacturing sector. Its key functions include providing productivity resources and customised roadmapping/ coaching support to help enterprises implement their specific productivity roadmaps. SMa President Mr George Huang received the award from Guest-of-Honour, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry. Launched in 2005, the LEAD programme is jointly managed by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and SPRING Singapore, to enhance industry and enterprise competitiveness through trade associations and chambers (TACs). Including this year’s new projects, the LEAD programme has supported 28 TACs on 37 industry-upgrading projects worth some $120 million, benefitting close to 38,000 local enterprises. “I am pleased to see more TACs stepping up their efforts to help their industries and enterprises upgrade capabilities and improve productivity. Such efforts would also bring their industries closer, so that they can work together to tackle challenges, and to compete and grow in the global economy,” said Mr Png Cheong Boon, Chief Executive, SPRING Singapore.   During the sharing by associations on overcoming challenging times, Mr Gwee Seng Kwong, SMa Secretary-General touched on how SMa, as a holistic entity with six Centres of Excellence, can help companies to strengthen their position to ride through these uncertain times. The event, themed Strengthening Associations in Uncertain Economic Times, was attended by about 250 guests at Hotel-InterContinental. SMa News, 2012-03-21T04:42:14+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/off-to-pakistan-high-commissioners-residence http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/off-to-pakistan-high-commissioners-residence Some 50 participants were honoured to be invited to Pakistan High Commissioner, His Excellency Syed Hasan Javed's residence for a networking session. His Excellency shared with participants on the business opportunities in Pakistan. Ms Ayla Majeed, Director of Islamabad Stock Exchange and Mr Azeem M. Azimuddin, Managing Director of ETXS Pte. Ltd. also spoke to the participants, comprising of some SMa members and like-minded Pakistani businessmen. The session was held on Feb 28 and co-organised by SMa and the Pakistan High Commission. His Excellency Syed Hasan Javed (seated at 1st row, 3rd from right) taking a group photo with the participants.   Mr Alok Mishra, Chairman of SMa India, Middle East, Africa and Central Asia Business Group (right) presented a token of appreciation to His Excellency Syed Hasan Javed. SMa News, 2012-03-05T05:44:55+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/share-your-sma-story http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/share-your-sma-story SMa will be celebrating its 80th Anniversary in Sep 2012. To commemorate our long history, we will be putting together a commemorative book that documents our growth and development. If you have been a part of our history in the last 80 years, we want to hear your stories. Tell us how SMa has played a part in your company’s growth, or simply share your memories at major milestone/events/missions/exhibitions, etc. Submit an article or photographs of your SMa memories to connect@smafederation.org.sg. Two best submissions* will win a NESCAFE®DOLCE GUSTO® coffee machine each, and be featured in the book.   *Terms and Conditions • All submissions are to reach SMa by May 31, 2012. Photos must be of at least file size 1MB, and must be accompanied with a short write-up of 200 words. Please include your name, company, designation and contact details. • By submitting an entry, the entrant agrees that copyright of all components of the entry will become the property of the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa). • The winner will be jointly selected by SMa and its commissioned publisher Focus Publishing. • SMa reserves the right to vary or cancel the contest and/or amend these Terms and Conditions without prior notice. In the event of any dispute, the decision of SMa shall be final and conclusive. • SMa reserves the right to change prizes without prior notice. • Prize is not exchangeable, transferable or redeemable for cash. Announcements, 2012-02-27T09:21:49+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/smas-views-on-release-of-budget-2012 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/smas-views-on-release-of-budget-2012   Visit http://www.sma.sg/PressRelease/SMa_endorses_SME-friendly_and_pro-older_workers_Budget.pdf for the official press release. Announcements, 2012-02-17T11:40:14+00:00 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/lifting-the-packaging-industry1 http://www.sma.sg/index.php/news/show/lifting-the-packaging-industry1 SMa congratulates the 28 winners of the Singapore Packaging Star Award 2011. And they are: Commercial – Sales & Display Category Total: 9 winners 1) Starlite Printers (Far East) Pte Ltd for Smirnoff Gold Collection 2) Starlite Printers (Far East) Pte Ltd for Rice dumpling box 3) TeckWah Value Chain Pte Ltd for Corelle Gift Pack 4) Starlite Printers (Far East) Pte Ltd for Plum Blossom CNY Box 5) Country Foods Pte Ltd for Sky Delight Box 6) Gothic Design for Eu Yan Sang Bird’s nest Mother’s Day Gift Box 7) Starlite Printers (Far East) Pte Ltd for 8th Anniversary Invitation Box 8) Owl International Pte Ltd for Owl Kopitiam Roast 9) Abnormal Group Singapore Pte Ltd for Abnormal Vodka   Commercial – Transport & Protection Category Total: 3 winners 1) AB Sciex (Manufacturing) Singapore Pte Ltd & Greenpac (S) Pte Ltd for VAVE 3200 Medical Instrument Packaging 2) International Paper Packaging Singapore Pte Ltd for Merlot Printer Protector 3) International Paper Packaging Singapore Pte Ltd for Emerson Acoustic Transmitter Protector   Commercial – Environmentally Sustainable Packaging Total: 3 winners   1) Greenpac (S) Pte Ltd for Environmentally Friendly Collapsible & Stackable Tray 2) Reflex Packaging (S) Pte Ltd for Reflex GB002 Protective Cushion 3) Jebsen & Jessen Broadway (S) Pte Ltd for Plotter Stand Student Category (All students are from Nanyang Polytechnic, School of Design) Total: 13 winners 1) Melinda Tan Rui Tian for Jack Daniel Wine Packaging 2) Sim Chee Hiang for CULT Café 3) Leon Yeo Hai Tian for Bordeaux Wine Packaging 4) Lim Chih Yang for Heineken Packaging 5) Rachel Kam Hui Li for Strawberry Love 6) Shaun Seah Yui Meng for Café 7) Ng Yunying for Party Pack for Hooper's Hooch Alcoholic Mixed Drink 8) Lau Yun Wen for Reunion Jewellery Box 9) Toh Jun Da, Joseph for HANA 10) Daphne Ng Sirui for Seven Deadly Sins Packaging 11) Nur Irna Yanty Binte Roslan for Wine Packaging 12) Xiao Shu Wen for杉 BIRCH 13) Leon Yeo Hai Tian for Lakerol Packaging Singapore Packaging Star Award saw some 53 entries this year. Dr Moh Chong Tau, SMa Deputy President and guest-of-honour for the event, said: “I’m encouraged by the winners’ continuous pursuit in developing new and innovative packaging solutions. The Singapore Packaging Star Award affirms the companies’ commitment to good packaging designs, as well as providing a springboard for them to growth tier market share and expand on the global frontier.” About the award The award is a national award honouring companies with innovative and creative packaging designs for their products. It recognises and rewards excellence in packaging, in areas of construction and materials usage, design, innovation technology and environmental consciousness. It is a flagship event under Packaging Council of Singapore, one of the 11 industry groups under Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa). Singapore Packaging Star Award started in 1998 and continues to be the most renowned award in Singapore which recognises excellent effort in packaging. This award is presented to companies and students as part of the efforts from packaging industry to promote local designs and increase the standards of packaging production. Of the 53 entries, 28 were winners of the Singapore Packaging Star Award 2011. Twenty-five of these winners went on to participate in the AsiaStar Award 2011. Out of these 25 entries, 17 bagged the AsiaStar Award 2011. The judging for AsiaStar Award 2011 was done in January 2012. The Singapore Packaging Star Award 2011 is organised by one of the 11 industry groups under SMa, which is known as Packaging Council of Singapore (PCS). PCS is also a member of the Asian Packaging Federation (APF) with affiliation to the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). The event was held on 10 Feb 12 at Sheraton Towers. For more information, visit http://www.packaging.org.sg. SMa News, 2012-02-13T04:07:10+00:00