Benchmarked: Singapore-based manufacturers

Singapore-based manufacturers have been recognised for attaining world-class standards at this year's national MAXA awards.

Started in 2006, MAXA seeks to acknowledge high standards in manufacturing innovation and excellence. The annual is put together by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), McKinsey & Company and the Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA), comprising the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore.

This year, the overall MAXA award went to Tetra Pak Jurong for its overall excellence in innovation, operations and sustainability. Amongst the other ten participants, Tetra Pak stood out for its production system, which places particular importance on operational improvement and downtime minimisation.

Other winners include Kenwood Electronics Technologies Singapore who was selected for the Innovation Award, 3M Singapore and Systems on Silicon Manufacturing (SSMC) for Operational Excellence and Beyonics International, which was selected for the Singapore Advantage Award.

"[MAXA] helps to raise the manufacturing standard in Singapore," said Alberto Tureikis, south and south east Asia supply chain director at Tetra Pak Jurong. He added that the company works along a "protect what is good" mantra globally, which seeks to maintain what is good for both its customers and the environment.

MAXA, however had seen the number of entries for this years' award fall from 43 to 10 despite maintaining a constant judging criteria. Ko Kheng Hwa, managing director of the EDB said this was due to the award's second year running, and that the award's intent was not on quantity.

"The number of people that apply is not the benchmark," added professor Lord Bhattacharyya, professor of manufacturing and director of Warwick manufacturing group, University of Warwick and one of the judges. "Rather, the more important thing is if the applicants are good - they must have the relentless drive for innovation."