Precision Engineering

Spotting a strand of hair from a height of 600m – this is comparable to the kind of nano-scale defects made-in-Singapore wafer inspection tools can identify. Such feats reflect Singapore's sophisticated Precision Engineering (PE) capabilities and our strengths as a leading regional hub for advanced manufacturing.

Spot-on Strengths

Full spectrum of capabilities

Over 2,700 PE firms supply critical products and expertise needed to manufacture complex components and equipment used in industries such as semiconductors, medical technology, marine, offshore and aerospace. Singapore PE companies have a full suite of design, prototyping, production and supply chain management capabilities. Manufacturers can easily find a “total solution” here, rather than to source from multiple suppliers.

The PE industry accounted for 11.8% of Singapore’s total output in manufacturing and 12.5% of total value-added in 2022¹. Given its crucial role in many other industries, the PE industry has grown steadily over the past decade with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% and 6% achieved for total output and value-added (VA) respectively.

The robust growth is underpinned by a strong foundation of innovation and R&D operations conducted by globally leading OEM companies like Applied Materials, KLA, Kulicke & Soffa, Keysight, and Rohde & Schwarz.

Digitalising and Going Global

The refreshed PE ITM launched in 2022 aims to enable the industry to capitalise on digital manufacturing technologies and platforms to innovate and deliver competitive products and services for global markets.

Initiatives such as A*STAR’s pilot Innovation Factory @ SIMTech and The Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) will help companies translate their ideas into innovative products, allowing them to move up the value chain and compete globally. Moreover, the PE Industry Digital Plan (PE IDP) will uplift PE SMEs, by enabling them to build core digital capabilities and enhance their operational productivity to take on higher value work.

Creating good jobs for Singaporeans in growth sectors

The refreshed PE ITM also contains plans to reskill and upskill workers in emerging technologies so they can take on high-value roles in stronghold sectors (Complex Equipment), new growth sub-sectors (Additive Manufacturing, Lasers & Optics, Robotics), and mature sectors (Precision Modules & Components).

Priority digital and Industry 4.0 skills needed to support these growth areas include 3D modelling, product design and development, preventive maintenance management, big data analytics, as well as programming and coding.

The Government will work with industry partners, Institutes of Higher Learning and Trade Associations and Chambers to upskill and reskill workers to ensure that they have the right skills to take on these new roles. PE enterprises will also receive assistance for redesigning jobs to support their Industry 4.0 transformation.