Extending our Horizons - Singapore Technologies Engineering

Innovative designs like the Spider LSV enableefficient transportation by allowing two vehiclesto be stacked.BZK commenced production of heavy industrialspecialty vehicles including ODTs in 2004.Joint ventures, such as that with PCI, enableST Kinetics to grow its commercial automotiveexpertise in China.The threat of terrorism has created urgency forhomeland security solutions. Leveraging on itsexperience in ordnance development, ST Kineticsembarked on R&D for comprehensive solutions inhomeland defence. It is also collaborating with industryallies to package and market solutions on three fronts:prevention, protection and response.A highly customised Threat Containment Vessel thatcan withstand up to 5kg of TNT blast capacity wasdeveloped to preserve surrounding vicinities in theevent of explosive threats.ST Kinetics has also developed a range of homelandsecurity specialty vehicles. In August, it secured aSingapore Civil Defence Force contract for HAZMATSupport Vehicles. These are custom configuredlogistics vehicles equipped with detection andmonitoring devices to support operational requirementsfor the containment of hazardous materials. ST Kineticswas also contracted in March to supply ambulances tothe Singapore Ministry of Defence.Winning new customersIn 2004, ST Kinetics’ divisions and subsidiariescontinued to add to their customer base. In Singapore,STAR Automotive expanded its clientele and secured athree year fleet management contract from SMART taxis.Five new franchisees were introduced this year, bringingthe total number of STAR franchisees to seven. As atend 2004, it is the appointed Accident Repair QualityWorkshop to 23 insurance companies,an increase of three over 2003.STA Inspection secured vehicle inspection contracts forCityCab taxis and a fleet of police vehicles in 2004.It is seeking approval to operate a sixth IndependentDamage Assessment Centre.Singapore Test Services extended its scope ofaccredited services to include the inspection of liftingdevices, flowmeter calibration and microbiology testson Chinese proprietary medicines, pharmaceuticaland health products. It also set up an additionalclimatic walk in chamber for reliability testing ofcomputer peripherals, storage media and wirelessinfocomm products.ST Kinetics will continue to embrace new opportunitiesand strengthen core capabilities to stay relevant to itscustomers. It will also commit resources to grow itscommercial interests, especially in specialty vehicles.defence companies operate and participate in majorprogrammes. Defence spending in Singapore, bycontrast, has remained consistent with the defencebudget maintained at between 4.5% to 5.5% ofGross Domestic Product (GDP).Singapore: Defence Budget as % of GDP1999 5.2%20004.6%2001200220035.1%5.2%5.2%Source: Singapore Ministry of Finance, various reports57TheEnterpriseInstinct