To support local companies in their transformation journey towards achieving lean manpower growth, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to set up the Lean Transformation Innovation Centre (LTIC or “the Centre”) in SIT. The LTIC will function as a one-stop resource and solutions centre for local companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to learn and adopt manpower-lean practices and thinking. It is scheduled to be operational by the second quarter of 2016.

Building Lean Capability and Sharing Lean Knowledge

To achieve its mission, the LTIC will work with partners, including the US-based LEI, to build Lean Capability and share Lean Knowledge. LEI will tap on its Lean Global Network of subject matter experts to transfer knowledge of lean practices and solutions to Singapore companies. WDA will provide funding support for Singaporeans to deepen their skills through various LTIC initiatives including Train-the-Trainer programmes, conferences, masterclasses, seminars and workshops. The LTIC will also reach out to companies that are interested to adopt and implement lean practices, and come on board the Lean Enterprise Development (“LED”) Scheme launched by Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say in October 2015.

With the establishment of the LTIC, SIT will be able to acquire lean know-how through strategic partners such as LEI, and facilitate SME’s adoption of lean practices by providing them with holistic solutions that address both technology and productivity issues. SIT will also collaborate with other like-minded organisations, such as Human Capital Singapore and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, to further advance lean thinking and practice locally.

Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President of SIT, said, “The launch of LTIC is a significant step in our evolution as a university of applied learning. As SIT continues to develop students who will be catalysts for transformation when they enter the workforce, we too are looking to transform the way companies approach their productivity and technology issues. This integrative approach, where we not only train manpower for the nation’s future needs, but also influence the way companies start to evolve and redesign their business processes, will prove key in future-proofing Singapore.”

Complementing the Lean Enterprise Development (LED) Scheme

The LED Scheme was rolled out by the Government recently to help progressive SMEs to become more manpower-lean, develop a stronger Singaporean core and achieve productivity-driven growth.

Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of WDA, said: “The setting up of LTIC complements the LED Scheme in encouraging companies to be more manpower-lean, innovative and productive. Through this strategic collaboration with SIT and LEI, WDA aims to help many more companies embrace lean transformation and develop a strong Singaporean core. This will boost their competitive edge through a highly-skilled and manpower-lean workforce.”

One such company is Tan Seng Kee Foods Pte Ltd (TSK), a company majoring in noodle production and innovation. Assistant Professor Fung Ho-Ki, Deputy Programme Director, SIT, is currently working with TSK to improve its plant scheduling processes by formulating a mathematical model and coding it into a piece of software for implementation. An accredited Subject Matter Expert from WDA, Dr Fung has a strong interest in working with industry, especially in helping companies explore new ways of resource optimisation and manufacturing processes.

Mr Raymond Tan, Executive Director of TSK, said, “We will continue to share the wonders of good flavours in fresh noodle production through innovation. Through this collaboration with SIT, we hope to introduce a new lean thinking and practice approach within TSK to achieve greater productivity and business growth.”