Business Times Issue 105 | Cyclect | Oct 24

ENGINEERING
EXCELLENCE AND
INNOVATION FOR
A SUSTAINABLE
FUTURE
BUSINESS TIMES

CYCL
GRO
ENGINEERING
2 BUSINESS TIMES MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024

FEATURE
ECT
UP
BUSINESS-TIMESMEDIA.COM
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ENGINEERING
CYCLECT GROUP
ENGINEERING
EXCELLENCE AND
INNOVATION FOR
A SUSTAINABLE
FUTURE
Project by:
Malvern Kandemwa
Words by:
Michelle Duncan
Melvin Tan is the Group Managing
Director of Cyclect Group, a
prominent provider of integrated
engineering solutions with a focus
on electrical, mechanical, and
infrastructure services. Founded
in 1944, Cyclect has developed a
strong reputation for delivering
quality services and innovative
solutions across various sectors,
including construction, marine,
oil and gas, and renewable energy.
Under Melvin’s leadership, the
company has embraced growth
and transformation, positioning
itself as a leader in engineering
and technology services.
Cyclect operates as a multidisciplinary
engineering company,
offering a wide range of services
such as mechanical and electrical
engineering, energy management,
systems integration, and
maintenance services. Their core
competencies are deeply rooted
in electrical installations, plant
maintenance, and system upgrades,
especially for industries
like pharmaceuticals, data centres,
and marine.
The company has been able
to expand its offerings to more
complex, technology-driven
solutions. They also work on en-
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FEATURE
Melvin Tan,
Group Managing Director,
Cyclect
ergy audits and management
systems to help industries optimise
their power consumption.
Cyclect’s electrical experts have
contributed to the development
of iconic landmarks such as Gardens
by the Bay, the Marina Bay
Sands Resort, and the Singapore
Grand Prix. In recent years, the
company has successfully diversified
into emerging fields like
robotics, renewable energy, and
cybersecurity, leading to significant
growth and expanding its
capabilities in cutting-edge industries.
One of Cyclect’s key strengths is
its ability to provide tailored solutions
to niche industries. Its diversified
range of services extends
to marine and offshore engineering,
infrastructure projects, and
the design and building of mission-critical
facilities.
Melvin Tan represents the third
generation of the Tan family to
lead Cyclect, which started as a
small machinery repair workshop
during the Japanese occupation
of Singapore in 1943. He joined
the company as a trainee in 1997,
during a time when its core business
focused primarily on ship
repairs. Under his leadership,
Cyclect has grown significantly,
and today, the company employs
around 700 people and operates
in nine countries, reflecting its
transformation into a global engineering
solutions provider.
BUSINESS-TIMESMEDIA.COM
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ENGINEERING
INFRASTRUCTURE
UPGRADES
Cyclect has consistently invested
in modernising its infrastructure
to better meet the demands
of a rapidly evolving industrial
landscape. This has included upgrading
its engineering facilities,
adopting new tools, and incorporating
advanced software for
more accurate project planning
and execution. These upgrades
have allowed the company to
boost productivity, lower project
completion times, and offer more
efficient solutions to its clients.
For instance, Cyclect has incorporated
state-of-the-art technologies
in their testing and commissioning
processes, ensuring
that all projects meet the highest
standards of safety and efficiency.
The company has also enhanced
its digital capabilities, utilising
cloud-based management systems
and predictive maintenance
technologies that allow them to
proactively manage complex infrastructure.
Melvin highlights Cyclect’s expertise
in heat recovery and electrical
engineering, which has enabled
them to assist large manufacturing
facilities in reducing waste
and generating energy, ultimately
helping to lower carbon emissions.
Over the past decade, these
efforts have resulted in significant
carbon savings, with some plants
reducing their CO2 output by
hundreds of tonnes annually.
Sustainability, as Melvin emphasises,
must also align with responsibility.
For Cyclect, this means
ensuring that ethical considerations
are woven into every part
of the business, including supply
chain management. The company
takes care to scrutinise where
products are sourced from, making
sure they are not linked to unethical
practices, such as forced or
slave labour.
Under his leadership, Cyclect has
strategically partnered with international
firms to expand its reach
and technological capabilities.
These partnerships have been
crucial for tapping into global expertise,
enabling the company to
offer advanced solutions and stay
ahead in a competitive industry.
Some of these collaborations
have been with technology providers,
research institutions, and
global engineering companies,
which provide Cyclect access to
cutting-edge technologies and
practices.
By forming alliances with other
engineering companies, Cyclect
has been able to undertake
large-scale projects in areas such
as renewable energy and smart
city infrastructure. These partnerships
have also been pivotal in expanding
Cyclect’s operations beyond
Singapore to other regions
in Southeast Asia, broadening its
market base.
Melvin Tan is actively leveraging
Cyclect’s strengths in the battle
to decarbonize, a key focus for
the company in the face of growing
sustainability demands. Every
major project Cyclect undertakes
now includes a robust set of sustainability
Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs), and the company is
well-positioned to meet them.
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BUSINESS TIMES MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024

FEATURE
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Signify, a global leader in lighting, has partnered
with Cyclect to promote sustainability through
solar energy and connected lighting solutions.
This collaboration aligns with Signify’s climate
transition plan to achieve net-zero carbon
emissions by 2040, showcasing commitment to
innovative, eco-friendly practices.
Together, Signify and Cyclect are transforming
the energy landscape by implementing
advanced solar power systems, which reduce
energy costs and significantly lower emissions.
Jitender Khurana, General Manager, Systems
and Services, Asia Pacific at Signify, emphasises
the value of the partnership: “Our collaboration
with Cyclect enables us to combine our expertise
in lighting and energy management with their
deep knowledge of engineering solutions.
Together, we’re empowering organisations to
meet their sustainability goals.”
The partnership also includes Signify’s Interact, a
revolutionising smart lighting solution, that helps
businesses reduce energy consumption and
improve productivity, through advanced sensors and
real-time data insights. The solution is implemented
in commercial and industrial operations, setting new
standards in energy efficiency and sustainability.
Supporting these efforts, Signify’s ultra-efficient
LED product line reinforces their dedication to
sustainable development.
Jitender adds: “The system’s powerful data and
analytics capabilities enable businesses to
monitor, analyse, and report their lighting usage,
energy savings, occupancy patterns and benefit
from remote management and predictive
management capabilities. By integrating
Interact with Cyclect’s engineering capabilities,
we create seamless, intelligent lighting systems
that deliver an attractive return on investment”
Together, Signify and Cyclect are paving the
way for a more sustainable future, proving that
innovation and partnership are vital in tackling
climate change and achieving impactful results.
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ENGINEERING
8 BUSINESS TIMES MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024

FEATURE
ENHANCED
CONNECTIVITY
Melvin Tan sees the Internet of
Things (IoT) as one of the most
promising areas for growth, with
increasing connectivity across
devices and systems. “Everything
is connected, from the lights in
our homes to our phones and
cars,” he explains. Melvin himself
drives an electric vehicle linked to
his phone and office, a testament
to how interconnected our lives
are becoming. He believes that
this trend will only continue, with
more everyday objects integrating
into expansive data networks.
Cyclect is investing in this space
to explore how these connections
will evolve and create new opportunities,
knowing that many
more elements will be added to
this digital ecosystem.
Cybersecurity, in particular, stands
out as a critical component of this
future. Melvin identifies a significant
gap in the market for protecting
both individuals and corporations
from cyber threats like
malware and hackers. To address
this, Cyclect has partnered with
BDATA, an innovative Canadian
startup, to develop cutting-edge
cybersecurity solutions. These applications
are designed to safeguard
manufacturing facilities,
critical infrastructure, and military
assets. BDATA’s technology is
already being used in high-stakes
environments, including military
drones, autonomous mining operations,
pipelines, power plants,
and water treatment plants, helping
to prevent potentially devastating
attacks on essential infrastructure.
Melvin Tan’s strategic vision for
Cyclect over the next few years revolves
around the “three Ds”: digitalization,
development of skills,
and diversification. These key pillars
are designed to position the
company for long-term growth
and resilience in an evolving business
environment.
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ENGINEERING
1. DIGITALIZATION
Melvin sees digitalization as a
transformative force impacting all
aspects of business. For Cyclect, it
represents a significant opportunity,
especially as digital systems
require power and robust cybersecurity
measures. The rise of remote
working and the need for
remote facility control have created
demand for advanced digital
tools. Melvin emphasises that even
traditionally manpower-intensive
tasks, like maintenance, are being
transformed by technologies
such as cameras and artificial intelligence.
These systems can now
detect issues like broken glass, fire,
smoke, or security breaches, auto
mating processes and improving
safety.
Cyclect’s digital transformation
goes beyond conventional customer
relationship management
(CRM) and enterprise resource
planning (ERP) systems. The company
is embracing data analytics
to anticipate equipment failures
and optimise operations, which
will further enhance productivity
and efficiency.
Moreso, they made strides in the
development of robotic technologies,
specifically to improve operations
in sectors like hospitality.
The company has created robotic
systems that work alongside humans
to streamline hotel banquet
operations, reducing costs and minimising
the need for manpower.
These robots enable one person to
handle the workload of four, lightening
the burden of heavy lifting
and improving overall efficiency.
This innovation reflects Cyclect’s
commitment to integrating automation
and robotics into its
services to better serve industries
facing labour shortages and rising
manpower costs.
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BUSINESS TIMES MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024

FEATURE
2. DEVELOPMENT OF
SKILLS
The second “D” focuses on the
development of skills within the
workforce. With the cost of manpower
increasing, Cyclect recognizes
the importance of training
and retaining skilled employees
to boost productivity and stay
competitive. The company invests
in upskilling its staff, ensuring
they are equipped with the
latest knowledge and capabilities,
particularly in digital technologies
and advanced engineering
processes. This approach not only
enhances employee retention but
also ensures that Cyclect remains
at the forefront of industry trends.
3. DIVERSIFICATION
Lastly, diversification plays a crucial
role in Melvin’s strategic plan.
Cyclect is actively expanding its
offerings into new industries and
technologies, such as cybersecurity,
renewable energy, and robotics.
By diversifying its portfolio, the
company is better able to weather
economic shifts and seize new opportunities
in fast-growing sectors.
This broadening of scope aligns
with Melvin’s belief that innovation
and flexibility are key to sustaining
the company’s growth.
Together, these “three Ds” form
the backbone of Cyclect’s future
strategy, ensuring the company
remains agile, competitive, and
innovative in a rapidly changing
world.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
CYCLECT
CYCLECT.COM
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Cyclect Group
cyclect.com
33 Tuas View Crescent,
Singapore,
637654
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