When Takenaka, Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia and SMC first set up shop in Singapore, the country was just beginning to establish itself as a manufacturing hub. What started as modest outposts – sometimes with just two employees – have evolved into regional powerhouses employing hundreds and driving innovation across construction, technology and industrial automation.
Most significantly, these multinational companies (MNCs) have invested deeply in local talent – nurturing Singaporeans who now steer their operations into the future.
Buoyed by Singapore’s strategic location and the availability of workers, Japanese companies such as Sony, Sumitomo and Kikkoman came to Singapore in the early 1970s to put down roots in the growing manufacturing sector. These Japanese corporate giants were key clients of Takenaka, a Japanese architectural design and construction company.
The wave of interest from Japanese companies and Singapore’s rapid industrialisation led Takenaka to expand its offerings by constructing the Singapore facilities of its existing clients from Japan.
Among Takenaka’s projects are iconic structures such as the Singapore Flyer, office tower CapitaGreen, the National Gallery Singapore and Changi International Airport Terminal 4.
PHOTOS: EDB
From there, Takenaka benefited from Singapore’s urbanisation and technological advancement, as the built environment sector grew and matured. Singapore’s construction landscape focuses on iconic, complex structures – a building typology that Takenaka excels at.
Takenaka’s impact on Singapore through the years is visible in many landmark projects. From its pioneering work on Singapore’s first Housing Upgrading Programme in Marine Parade and Ang Mo Kio, to Terminals 1 and 4 at Changi International Airport, to the National Gallery redevelopment, Takenaka has left a mark on Singapore’s most recognisable structures.
Over the past few decades, Takenaka has nurtured local talent, with many subcontractors growing alongside the company to become main contractors themselves. Today, Takenaka Singapore employs over 590 staff, including 360 specialists like project managers, construction managers, site engineers and Building Information Modelling designers who work on-site.
Deputy general manager Leslie Teng recently celebrated his 40th year with Takenaka. Rising from a site supervisor to his current role, Mr Teng is one of the first employees who went through Takenaka’s HQ training programme. Today, Mr Teng is doing his part to pass down Takenaka’s unique “Way of Working” to its next generation of employees. On this, he says, “In Takenaka, it’s all about teamwork and everyone is family. This sense of belonging and the opportunity to shape Singapore’s landscape has kept me here for four decades.”
Takenaka continues to contribute to Singapore’s built environment, staying true to its management philosophy of contributing to society by passing on the best works to future generations.
The mtu brand – Rolls-Royce’s product and solutions line for off-highway propulsion as well as energy supply and storage systems – is managed in Asia by Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia, a subsidiary of the group’s Power Systems division. It was first established as MTU Singapore in 1974. Even back then, the engine manufacturer recognised Singapore as a pivotal node in their global network, choosing the city-state for its access to the rest of Asia-Pacific.
Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia celebrated its 50th anniversary in Singapore in 2024.
PHOTO: ROLLS-ROYCE SOLUTIONS ASIA
Today, the Singapore outfit serves over 30 countries across Asia, powering ships, heavy land, rail and defence vehicles in the region with mtu-brand propulsion systems. This includes the
ferry services to and from Batam by Majestic Fast Ferry
and
ultra-fast charging for EVs at select Shell Recharge stations across Singapore
.
Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia has approximately 300 local employees. Over the years, the company has implemented a comprehensive, structured training programme that encompasses technical training, soft skills development and invaluable international exposure. New hires undergo a six-month intensive training programme with classroom learning and hands-on experience. Regular overseas attachments to other Rolls-Royce facilities and customer sites are also a key feature of the programme.
One such beneficiary is Mr Alex Lin, who joined the company in 2021 with the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Competence Centre. He has since become an integral part of Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia’s engineering team.
Engineering manager Alex Lin says he has benefited from the overseas training provided by his employer, Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia.
PHOTO: ROLLS-ROYCE SOLUTIONS ASIA
“The overseas exposure Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia provides has been invaluable,” said Mr Lin, who is in his 30s. “From attending factory acceptance tests in Germany, where the Power Systems division is based, to interacting with clients across Asia, these experiences have broadened my perspective and honed my skills in ways classroom learning never could.”
The Rolls-Royce subsidiary’s investment in local talent extends beyond individual training. The company also collaborates with local institutions to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals. This includes offering scholarships and internships, and participating in industry-academia partnerships to shape curricula relevant to the evolving needs of the aerospace and marine sectors.
Looking forward, Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia is committed to becoming a net-zero company by 2050. The company is actively working on sustainable power solutions, including engines that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and other e-fuels produced using renewable energy.
Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia has also been a reliable partner in the Singapore business ecosystem. When
Singapore shipbuilder Glow Marine
sought to build an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fast catamaran ferry for a Taiwanese client, it turned to Rolls-Royce Solutions Asia. With the mtu engines from Rolls-Royce, the ferry meets even the most stringent emissions requirements for marine applications – a first in Asia – and demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver propulsion systems that address environmental concerns and operational efficiency.
SMC, a leader in industrial automation, celebrated its golden jubilee in Singapore in 2024.
Since its establishment in 1974, the Japanese company has grown from a small sales office to a team of over 120. Over the years, it has transitioned from basic manufacturing to enhanced automation and smart factory solutions. This shift was made possible through Singapore’s business-friendly environment and commitment to innovation and sustainability.
SMC management celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary in Singapore with a sake barrel breaking ceremony.
PHOTO: EDB
Most recently, SMC implemented a smart sustainable factory, which integrates cutting-edge automation, data analytics and sustainability with digitalisation into the production process. The result is a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions and more efficient operations.
SMC’s success in Singapore is built on its strong emphasis on talent development. Under the leadership of managing director David Wong, SMC has created robust training programmes, including opportunities for employees to train in Japan.
Senior service engineer Dave Chan exemplifies this investment in talent. Through SMC’s training programme in Japan, Mr Chan gained valuable knowledge from his Japanese colleagues, which he now applies to his work in Singapore.
As SMC marks a new decade in Singapore, it continues to leverage the country’s robust infrastructure and deep talent pool to drive innovation in industrial automation.
Learn about the global companies expanding their operations in Singapore and the Singaporeans advancing their careers there. Find out more
here
and
here
.
