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Singapore's Precision Engineering Suppliers Offer A High Quality, Responsive Outsourcing Option

Manufacturing output within Singapore’s Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Sector grew to US$15 billion in 2006, a 30.2% increase over 2005. Many multinational medical original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are locating R&D centers, establishing regional headquarters or outsourcing in Singapore because of its strong intellectual property protection laws, skilled labor pool, broad range of supplier capabilities, easy access to a variety of emerging consumer markets and manufacturing presence in Asia. Singapore’s trade association and trade agency led Singapore-based companies to form the Singapore Pavilion at Medical Design & Manufacturing West Exposition and Conference 2008 in Anaheim from 29 – 31 January 2008.

Anaheim, 29 Jan 2008

1. Medical OEMs face the dual challenges of controlling costs while providing high quality products. A globalized outsourcing strategy is a viable option in addressing these challenges. However, optimized globalization strategy requires strong focus on analysis of the total cost of manufacturing choices. Labor cost savings alone can be quickly offset by inefficiencies in project communication, schedule change requests or production quality. The Medical Technology supply base of Singapore recognizes that true competitive advantage requires systems and infrastructure which address these uncaptured costs and has teamed with foreign multinational companies (MNCs) and Singaporean agencies to create a manufacturing environment which addresses this combined requirement for competitive cost, exceptional responsiveness and commitment to the highest standards of product quality.
   
   
2. The Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa), with support from Singapore’s trade agency – International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), is leading a group of six Singapore-based precision engineering suppliers to the Medical Design and Manufacturing (MD&M) West Exposition and Conference 2008 in Anaheim from 29 - 31 January 2008. The companies forming the Singapore Pavilion will be located in Booths 307, 309, 311, 315, 408, 410 and 412.
   
   
3. Manufacturing output within the BMS Sector grew to US$15 billion in 2006, achieving a 30.2% increase over the prior year . Pharmaceuticals accounted for 91% of the total output, while Medical Technology maintained output levels of over US$1.3 billion . Singapore-based precision engineering suppliers are increasingly sharpening their capabilities to support the medical technology sector. Their advantages include strengths in strong IP rights protection, R&D, and capabilities to provide quality products and services. Many of them have industry certifications such as ISO 9001:2000, ISO13485, ISO / TS16949 and / or AS 9100 as well as clean room certifications. In addition, Singapore’s precision engineering suppliers can complement the products of international medical manufacturers by offering cost competitive and customized services such as device history recordkeeping and support for focused continuous improvement teaming efforts such as Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing and design for assembly (DFA). At the same time, by partnering with Singapore-based companies and tapping on their distribution and marketing channels, medical manufacturers can potentially assess the Asian market through Singapore.
   
   
4. A cornerstone of Singapore’s trade promotion policy is participating in events designed to bring the supply base to market. MD&M West 2008 is viewed as a good platform for Singapore-based contract manufacturers to profile their full suite of services including components manufacturing, electronics, sub-assemblies and more to large US medical OEMs as well as manufacturers from around the world. It also serves as a recognized platform for our companies to make business contacts and find out the latest advances in the medical technology arena, such as medical-grade materials, components, electronics, computer-aided design and manufacturing, production machinery, device communications, etc.
   
   
5. The six companies forming the Singapore Pavilion are: Forefront Medical Technology Pte Ltd, John While Springs (S) Pte Ltd, Nestronics Ltd, Racer Technology Pte Ltd, Rayco Technologies Pte Ltd, and Yangbum Engineering Pte Ltd (please refer to Annex for company profiles).

Annex: List of participating companies.

¹Source: Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), www.biomed-singapore.com

²Source: Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), www.biomed-singapore.com

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Note to Editor
Please use ‘IE Singapore’ or ‘IE’ if an acronym for ‘International Enterprise Singapore’ is required. In addition, unless otherwise stated, the use of statistics cited in our media releases, website or Statlink, should be attributed to IE Singapore.

Issued by Powell-Mucha Consulting, Inc. for IE Singapore and SMa. For media inquiries, please contact:

US Public Relations Contact
Ms Susan Mucha
Powell-Mucha Consulting, Inc.
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Email: smucha@powell-muchaconsulting.com

Ms Daphne Lye
Senior Officer, Media and Marcomms
International Enterprise Singapore
DID : + 65 6433 4476
Fax : + 65 6337 6898
Email : daphne_lye@iesingapore.gov.sg

Mr Lawrence Chan
Executive, Industry Development Division
Singapore Manufacturers' Federation
DID : + 65 6826 3073
Fax : + 65 6822 8323
Email : lawrencechan@smafederation.org.sg

About International Enterprise Singapore

International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry spearheading the development of Singapore’s external economic wing.

Our mission is to promote the overseas growth of Singapore-based enterprises and international trade. With a global network in over 30 locations and our “3C” framework of assistance – Connections, Competency, Capital, we offer services to help enterprises export, develop business capabilities, find overseas partners and enter new markets. At the same time, we work to position Singapore as a base for foreign businesses to expand into the region in partnership with Singapore-based companies.

About Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa)

SMa was founded in 1932 by 17 pioneering manufacturers with the objective of representing the interests of Singapore manufacturers. In the 1960s, the Singapore government adopted an export-led growth strategy. Within a matter of years, the manufacturing sector became one of the main pillars of growth for the economy, and SMa was seen as the catalyst of that growth.

Our Mission
Being the national organization serving the manufacturing and manufacturing-related industries in Singapore, SMa's mission is to be a world-recognized manufacturing federation making a difference to our members.

SMa Medical Technology Industry Group (MTIG)
Formed about eight years ago, SMa MTIG is comprised of Multi-National Companies (MNCs) and local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the medical technology and supporting industries. MTIG’s mission is “to be the leading voice for the medical industry and related organizations, encompassing medical devices, equipments, instruments, diagnostics, and implantables, serving as a vital forum and focal point to advance the interests of the industry and benefit the people we serve”.

Please visit www.smafederation.org.sg for more information.

ANNEX

Participating companies

1. Forefront Medical Technology Pte Ltd
   Forefront Medical Technology Pte Ltd (FMT) (www.forefront.sg) provides design, prototyping and manufacturing of components, sub-assemblies and finished products using thermoplastic and thermoset materials.
   
   FMT’s injection molding expertise includes medical grade polymers for such applications as thin-walled molding, insert and over-molding and molding of parts with optical clarity. FMT is ISO 9001:2000, ISO 13485:2003 (inclusive of product and tooling design) and FDA CFR 21 Part 820 registered.
   
   FMT’s capabilities include blow molding, extrusion, injection moulding of PP, PC, Polysulfone and the horizontal and vertical injection moulding of highly plasticized medical grade PVC. Extrusion and horizontal and vertical injection moulding of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) for the disposable and reusable market. FMT’s capabilities also extent to the extrusion of wire reinforced PVC with lumen and injection moulding / extrusion of wire reinforced.
   
   
2. John While Springs (S) Pte Ltd
   John While Springs (S) Pte Ltd (www.jwsprings.com) was established in 1979 and saw its exponential growth over the years leading to the formation of a group of companies known as John While Group.
   
   The JW Group, which comprises of 4 manufacturing plants; namely, John While Springs (S) Pte Ltd, John While Springs (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, John While Springs (Thailand) Co., Ltd have been set up with enhanced capabilities to better serve its customers in their respective marketplace. The establishment of John While Solutions (S) Pte Ltd marks our full entry into the global healthcare and medical device markets. It is also our Centre of Technological Excellence offering advanced technologies which will be researched, taught and applied through integrating inter-disciplinary areas in metallurgy, design engineering, enabling manufacturing techniques and packaging.
   
   As one of the top Singapore SME 500 companies, we have selected mySAP software as the platform for our Global Information System and has successfully implemented at John While Springs (S) Pte Ltd as it first pilot site.
   
   With more than 25 years of experience, WE deliver cost effective products without compromising quality and reliability, and our technical expertise and commitment, we have been recognised through many awards presented to us by our valued customers. OUR PASSION IS PROVIDING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.
   
   Products and Services
   We design and manufacture of springs, wire & strip-formed parts
   • Compression springs: wire sizes from 0.03 mm to 2.80 mm
   • Extension springs: wire sizes from 0.10 mm to 4.00 mm
   • Torsion springs: wire sizes from 0.10 mm to 4.00 mm
   • Wireforms: wire sizes from 0.10 mm to 4.50 mm
   • Strip-formed parts: strip sizes from 1.0 mm thick x 14.0 mm width
   
   Production Capabilities:
   • Computerized Multi-Axes Coilers and Winders
   • Compression Winders
   • Extension Winders
   • Torsion Winders
   • Wire Formers
   • Heat Treatment Furnaces
   • Toolroom Machining Equipment.
   
   
3. Nestronics Ltd
   Nestronics offers high-end, integrated Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). It specializes in end-to-end manufacturing solutions such as new product introduction, test development, manufacturing, and specialized after-sales services.
   
   Key industries that it services include the Telecommunications & Instrumentation, Medical & Bioscience, Avionics/Oil & Gas sectors, as well as other industrial product segments. Nestronics is also recognized for its radio frequency manufacturing capabilities applied in the areas of RF transmission equipments and systems. With a proven track record and a wealth of invaluable expertise, Nestronics offers its customers value through cost-effective, high variation, medium volume manufacturing solutions. The quality and environmental management certifications we have achieved include ISO9001:2000, AS9100:2004, ISO14001:2004 and ISO13485:2003.
   
   
4. Racer Technology Pte Ltd
   Racer Technology (www.racer.com.sg) is specialized in engineering and medical grade devices. A one-stop contract manufacturer providing customized product design, prototyping, plastics injection molding, tooling fabrication, metal stamping, plating and precision machining to customers from strategic manufacturing throughout Asia and sales support in USA. The company is headquartered in Singapore, with facilities in China (Suzhou), Indonesia (Batam) & Malaysia (Senai).
   
   We have also our own in-house tool making and design section, with expertise in 3D mold design and prototyping capability, and we communicate design flaws back to our customers which will reduce hiccups during manufacturing.
   
   Capabilities include:
   • Mechanical Consultant
   • Mechanical Design
   • Prototyping
   • Tooling Fabrication
   • Plastics Injection Molding
   • Plastics Injection Insert Molding
   • Metal Stamping
   • Machining
   • Box Build.
   
   
5. Rayco Technologies Pte Ltd
   Founded in 1954, Rayco Technologies (www.raycotechnologies.com) is an innovative Precision Elastomeric Solutions Specialist. They create precision components that are used in major industries such as the medical devices, lifestyle, data storage, electronics, automotive and aerospace industries.
   
   From design to delivery, Rayco believes in early involvement with their customers. Its award winning Elastomeric Technology Center (ETC) is able to develop unique Elastomeric compounds for mission critical applications that demand specific requirements. Their design center is able to engage partners from concept, to product design and quick prototyping of precision components.
   
   Its manufacturing facilities in both Singapore and China have dedicated teams and are ISO/TS 16949, ISO 9001:2002, PSB-ODS Free and ROHS certified. They are also equipped with Class 100 clean room production environments and an ISO /IEC 17025 accredited laboratory that conducts chemical, mechanical and analytical test services.
   
   
6. Yangbum Engineering Pte Ltd
   Yangbum Engineering Pte Ltd’s (www.yangbum.com) services include:
   • Precision turned parts
   • Precision and complex milling (5 Axis)
   • Lead screw and nut assembly
   • Optical lens holder focusing housing assembly
   • Gear Hobbing
   • Turnkey assembly for mechanical components
   • Just-in-time delivery of parts
   • Vendor inventory management.
   
   The Company is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, and supports a global customer base. Its parts are used by a range of industries including disk drive, automotive, high end equipment, electronic and electrical, medical instruments and aerospace. Production capability ranges from low volume production to mass production using more than 70 machines.