Singapore is reinforcing its position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) through a series of strategic partnerships and investments. The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Rolls-Royce, Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited (SAESL), and several local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at the forefront of this drive, collaborating to enhance manufacturing capabilities, foster innovation, and create high-value jobs. Recent announcements highlight significant progress, including the launch of Phase Two of the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab (SMJL) and the establishment of new industry joint labs with local SMEs, signifying a concerted effort to scale Singapore’s manufacturing ecosystem.
A*STAR, Rolls-Royce, and SAESL Launch SMJL Phase Two
The partnership between A*STAR, Rolls-Royce, and SAESL has been a cornerstone of Singapore’s advanced manufacturing landscape for over two decades. The launch of Phase Two of the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab (SMJL) extends this successful collaboration, with a commitment of close to S$34 million. This initiative aims to further improve process efficiencies and implement advanced manufacturing technologies in Rolls-Royce’s fan blade production facility and SAESL’s MRO operations. The initial phase of SMJL, launched in 2017 with an investment of S$68 million, focused on exploring opportunities to optimize manufacturing processes and integrate advanced technologies. This collaboration responded to the increasing global demand in aviation and the MRO market. Phase Two will build upon these achievements, strengthening Rolls-Royce’s manufacturing and SAESL’s MRO capabilities to meet growing global demands.
Key Objectives of SMJL Phase Two:
- Enhanced Fan Blade Production: Leveraging new innovations from this phase, Rolls-Royce’s Fan Blade Singapore (FBSG) aims to expand fan blade production by more than 30% over the next few years without increasing its facility footprint.
- MRO Capacity Expansion: The innovations from SMJL Phase Two will complement SAESL’s existing S$242 million investment to build new capabilities and double its output, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest Rolls-Royce Trent Engine MRO facility. SAESL’s expansion is expected to create 500 high-value jobs in Singapore over the next five years.
- Technological Innovations: The joint lab is expected to unlock numerous technological innovations, efficiencies, and relationships for Rolls-Royce, complementing the company’s efforts to drive process improvements and harness advanced technologies.
- Industrial, Academic, and Business Partnerships: By pushing the boundaries of collaboration between industry, academia, and business, the partnership aims to contribute to Singapore’s growth journey.
Beh Kian Teik, Chief Executive Officer of A*STAR, emphasised the importance of co-innovation and co-deployment partnerships like the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab, which exemplify Singapore’s model of innovation. He noted that these collaborations allow global companies to anchor high-value operations in Singapore and grow together with local enterprises, increasing outputs for multinational corporations (MNCs) and creating opportunities for local SMEs to scale their capabilities and partner with MNCs.
Neil Mantle, Director of Manufacturing Engineering and Materials at Rolls-Royce, expressed delight in expanding the collaboration with A*STAR and SAESL. He stated that Rolls-Royce looks forward to the many technological innovations, efficiencies, and relationships that the joint lab will unlock, contributing to Singapore’s growth journey.
Chris Pattinson, Chief Executive Officer at SAESL, highlighted that Phase One of the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab laid the foundation for smarter, more efficient operations. He added that Phase Two, together with programs like AI for manufacturing, will accelerate SAESL’s transformation, with the continued partnership with A*STAR being a key enabler in this journey.
SMJL’s Impact on Operations
Since its inception, the Smart Manufacturing Joint Lab has created a significant local impact, transforming operations for both Rolls-Royce and SAESL:
- Technology Deployment: 18 transformative technologies have been deployed across facilities, enhancing productivity, strengthening safety standards, and laying the groundwork for continued growth in the aerospace industry.
- Productivity Increase: Rolls-Royce’s fan blade facility has recorded more than a 20% increase in productivity since 2017, through a combination of SMJL technology adoption and internal initiatives.
- SAESL Output Increase: Significant improvements in productivity are enabling a 40% increase in SAESL’s output by 2028.
- SME Engagement: Over 200 local SMEs have been engaged in the initiative.
- Business Opportunities: Over S$4.5 million has been generated in immediate business opportunities.
- Vendor Development: Eight local SMEs have been added to Rolls-Royce and SAESL’s approved vendor list after meeting rigorous quality and safety standards through co-innovation.
- Job Creation: 14 high-value jobs have been created in Singapore.
Zheng Jingxin, Vice President & Head of Mobility at the Singapore Economic Development Board, noted that the joint lab has created opportunities for local enterprises to co-innovate and benefit from this unique platform, strengthening their differentiated capabilities and global competitiveness.
Phase Two of SMJL will focus on three key areas:
- Advanced Technologies for Aftermarket Services: Including additive manufacturing processes for component repair and engine overhaul.
- Advanced Fan Blade Manufacturing: Optimizing fan blade production and inspection techniques.
- Advanced Manufacturing Processes: Including additive manufacturing and process improvements to enhance component reliability.
In addition to technology advancement, Phase Two will also aim to upskill local SMEs in advanced manufacturing technologies, expanding business opportunities for the local ecosystem and strengthening Singapore’s value proposition in global aerospace supply chains.
Rolls-Royce and SAESL’s Strategic Growth in Singapore
The collaboration between Rolls-Royce and ASTAR began in 2002 with an engine modelling research project. This led to the establishment of the Rolls-Royce Advanced Technology Centre in Singapore in 2004, followed by the launch of a joint Surface Finishing Lab with ASTAR in 2009 to advance manufacturing technologies for the company.
Over the years, the partnership has grown into a robust framework for innovation, capability-building, and industrial scaling. Rolls-Royce contributes product design expertise, global aerospace know-how, and market access, while A*STAR provides deep scientific capabilities in materials, precision engineering, digital manufacturing, infrastructure, and talent development.
In 2020, Rolls-Royce consolidated its global manufacturing of wide chord fan blades into its Fan Blade Singapore (FBSG) facility at Seletar Aerospace Park. Previously split across two global sites, all production for Trent engines now centralised at the FBSG.
Established in 1999 and operational since 2001, SAESL has evolved from a modest team of 200 employees in a single building to a workforce of over 2,000 across six buildings spanning three sites – Calshot, Loyang, and Seletar. Today, it stands as the world’s largest MRO facility for Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent engines.
To accelerate growth and reinforce its leadership position, SAESL is undertaking a S$242 million expansion. This includes a new 26,000-square-meter facility that broke ground in early 2025 and repurposing a 25,000-square-meter facility in Seletar. Once completed, it will double SAESL’s overhaul and repair capacity enabling SAESL to service at least 400 engines per year by 2028.
A*STAR and Local SMEs Invest in Advanced Manufacturing Joint Labs
A*STAR is also teaming up with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to launch three new industry joint labs, driving co-innovation and strengthening Singapore’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and local supply chain ecosystem. These collaborations, with Abrasive Engineering, Applied Total Control Treatment, and Grand Venture Technology, reflect Singapore’s commitment to helping local companies scale globally through innovation and deepen capabilities in strategic growth sectors.
The three industry joint labs are expected to generate new intellectual property (IP), product lines, and business opportunities for the SMEs while creating high-value jobs in sectors such as semiconductors, aerospace, and life sciences.
Abrasive Engineering (AE), which offers surface enhancement services, was traditionally a service-focused business with more than 70 percent of its revenue coming from services and trading. Through its collaboration with A*STAR, AE has steadily transformed from a service-focused business into a technology-driven product owner in surface enhancement systems, which are widely used in aerospace, energy, and medical industries. As a result, AE has more than doubled its revenue to S$12 million.
The collaboration addressed challenges that AE faced in product development speed, precision, and digital integration. It also delivered a breakthrough product that strengthened AE’s technological capabilities and sharpened its competitiveness as an industrial product owner. This transformation further reshaped AE’s culture and workforce, fostering a stronger drive for innovation.
In 2020, AE launched its first joint lab with A*STAR to develop next-generation precision valves and automated blasting processes. The three-year joint lab has since delivered significant impact, including:
- Creation of New Product Lines: Six new product lines were created, including the world’s first microwave media dosing unit (patented by AE and A*STAR) and automated sandblasting systems. These systems were sold in Singapore and globally.
- Revenue Increase: Generated S$3.5 million in revenue increase during the joint lab, contributing to 28 percent of AE’s total revenue during this period.
- Job Creation: Nine R&D jobs and four new IPs were created.
The next phase of the AE – A*STAR Joint Lab will deliver next-generation surface treatment solutions, fuelling AE’s global growth and a projected S$25 million in revenues by 2030.
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