Industry News

Leong Yik Engineering & Contractor has launched a newly redesigned website to commemorate its seventh anniversary in Singapore. The updated platform, unveiled on 16 April 2025, boasts a streamlined layout, improved navigation, and an intuitive user interface, all aimed at enhancing the user experience for both new and returning visitors.

The website’s “Our Projects” section has undergone significant enhancements, now offering a comprehensive view of the company’s past work. From residential projects to large-scale commercial renovations, this section features detailed visuals, project descriptions, and client testimonials. The redesign places a stronger emphasis on project transparency and user engagement, providing potential clients with a clearer understanding of Leong Yik’s capabilities and standards.

Additionally, the website facilitates easier access to information about specific services such as roof leakage repair and wall plastering. Users can now effortlessly find relevant details and assess service suitability, whether they are seeking a contractor for ceiling water damage repair or wall hacking. The site also highlights Leong Yik’s expertise in cement screed and concrete screed flooring, crucial for creating durable and level surfaces.

As an HDB-approved tiling contractor and BizSafe Star accredited company, Leong Yik continues to build trust through quality workmanship and safety compliance. The new website reflects the company’s commitment to professional growth and client satisfaction, following months of preparation to preserve SEO rankings and develop new content.

Founded in 2017, Leong Yik Engineering & Contractor has established itself as a reliable name in Singapore’s renovation sector, offering practical and long-lasting solutions tailored to modern clients’ needs. The website launch signals the company’s future direction, focusing on expanding service offerings, exploring new technologies, and enhancing community engagement.
“`

The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Tuas Power have announced a strategic partnership to enhance sustainability initiatives among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore. This collaboration, unveiled on 16 April 2025, aims to provide SMEs with structured sustainability support, including access to certifications, green financing, and carbon offset opportunities.

Tuas Power is offering up to $2,200 (S$3,000) in credits to eligible customers who participate in SMF’s Chief Sustainability Officer-as-a-Service (CSOaaS) programme. This initiative is designed to lower the barriers to entry for SMEs embarking on their sustainability journey. The CSOaaS programme, offered by SMF’s Centre for Sustainability and Resilience, is a comprehensive one-year initiative that helps businesses establish baseline sustainability metrics and build roadmaps for future growth.

The funding provided by Tuas Power is tiered based on contract length and energy consumption. Existing customers with more than six months remaining on their contracts can receive $730 (S$1,000), whilst new sign-ups or renewals for 12, 24, or 36 months can access between $730 and $2,200 (S$1,000 and S$3,000). Eligibility requires a monthly energy usage exceeding 0.5MW (372 MWh/month).

Lennon Tan, President of SMF, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “This project embodies how large corporations can use their platforms to uplift entire ecosystems, helping SMEs become more resilient and future-ready.”

This collaboration is significant as SMEs contribute approximately 47% to Singapore’s GDP. With the combined efforts of Tuas Power’s commercial network and SMF’s structured support, the partnership aims to create a ripple effect of green transformation across various industries. The initiative marks the beginning of a year-long partnership with aspirations for long-term impact and leadership in sustainable development.
“`

Internship opportunities in Singapore have doubled from 2022 to 2025, as companies increasingly seek creative talent and soft skills to drive innovation, according to a report by global job portal Indeed. The past year alone saw a 47% increase in postings, with creative industries such as marketing, media, and the arts leading the demand.

Indeed’s Talent Strategy Adviser, Rohan Sylvester, highlighted the importance of interns in fostering innovation. “The surge of interns reflects an ongoing commitment to innovation from Singapore’s businesses, who are investing in new digital technologies and transforming their customer engagement strategies,” he said. Interns are seen as vital for bringing creativity and fresh perspectives to the table.

The report identifies communication skills as the most sought-after, appearing in 30% of internship postings. Other top skills include Microsoft Office proficiency (15%) and analytical skills (9%). Whilst technical skills remain important, employers are focusing on critical tasks and leveraging automation to streamline processes.

Sylvester emphasised the value of developing a blend of hard and soft skills, noting that interns who can adapt and innovate will thrive. “Students and fresh graduates should capitalise on the surge of internships to develop holistic T-shaped skillsets,” he advised.

As Singaporean businesses continue to prioritise innovation, the demand for interns with creative and adaptive skills is expected to grow, offering significant opportunities for young talent in the coming years.
“`

Seagate Technology has unveiled its “Decarbonising Data” report, revealing significant sustainability challenges for Singapore’s data centres as they strive to meet the increasing demands driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The report, released on 16 April 2025, highlights that Singapore requires an estimated $5.5 billion investment to make its data storage operations sustainable, exceeding the global average of $4.9 billion.

The report underscores the growing pressure on businesses to scale data centres rapidly whilst managing energy consumption and costs sustainably. Key findings indicate that 70% of Singaporean respondents cite limited access to alternative electricity sources as a major obstacle, with 33.3% also pointing to workforce training costs as a significant challenge.

AI is a major driver of increased demand, with all Singaporean respondents agreeing that AI will significantly impact the need for data centre operations. More than half reported rising demand for data storage within their companies, placing Singapore among the top three markets globally.

Despite 90% of respondents expressing environmental concerns, sustainability remains a low priority in purchasing decisions for data storage infrastructure. Jason Feist, Seagate’s senior vice president of cloud marketing, stated, “Data centres are under intense scrutiny—not only because they support modern AI workloads, but because they are becoming one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the digital economy.”

The report suggests that organisations can achieve both cost efficiency and sustainability by improving existing infrastructure, expanding data centre footprints, or migrating workloads to the cloud. It also outlines three strategic pillars for sustainable data growth: technological innovation, life cycle extension, and shared accountability across the ecosystem.

As global electricity demand from data centres is predicted to double by 2030, addressing these sustainability challenges is crucial for Singapore to maintain its competitive edge as a data centre hub.
“`

Seveno Capital, a new Singapore-based venture capital fund, has launched with a $70m commitment from wellness entrepreneur Allen Law, marking a significant move in the healthspan investment sector. The fund aims to support early and growth-stage ventures that enhance human healthspan, with its first investment in Japan-based A Cabin Company, which transforms unused rural land into wellness cabins.

Allen Law, founder of Park Hotel Group, will serve as Principal at Seveno Capital. He has been building a global portfolio focused on fitness, wellness, and longevity since 2023. Law stated, “We are proud to launch Seveno Capital with an inaugural investment in A Cabin Company. Nature is a pillar of lifestyle medicine, and A Cabin Company is rethinking human wellbeing.”

A Cabin Company, founded by Mori Nishimura, creates compact, design-forward cabins on rural land near major cities. These cabins, classified as vehicles, avoid zoning regulations and infrastructure costs, allowing rapid deployment. The company plans to open its first location in Chiba, Japan, and expand to Seoul, New York, and Europe, with 380 cabins planned across Greater Tokyo and Osaka by 2029.

Nishimura highlighted the importance of reconnecting with nature, stating, “With backing from Seveno Capital, we’re unlocking life in ‘the in-between’—the quiet, often overlooked spaces where the city ends and the wild begins.”

Seveno Capital’s investment underscores a growing trend in wellness and longevity, focusing on improving healthspan rather than just lifespan. The fund aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of impact-first businesses that enhance human health and well-being.
“`

China Everbright Water Limited, a company listed on the Singapore Exchange, has successfully issued the second tranche of its 2025 medium term notes, attracting significant interest from institutional investors in mainland China’s national inter-bank bond market. The issuance, completed on 16 April 2025, saw a subscription rate of 3.28 times, highlighting strong market confidence in the company’s prospects.

The 2025 Second Tranche Medium Term Notes (MTNs) have a principal amount of RMB1 billion, a five-year maturity period, and an interest rate of 1.90%. The proceeds are earmarked for repaying Everbright Water’s outstanding debts. Both the notes and the company have been rated “AAA” by Shanghai Brilliance Credit Rating & Investors Service Co., Ltd. Everbright Securities Company Limited led the underwriting, with China Construction Bank Corporation, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank Co., Ltd., Ping An Bank Co., Ltd., and China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. acting as joint lead underwriters.

This issuance follows the company’s December 2024 registration of multiple debt financing instruments totalling RMB8 billion, approved for issuance in various tranches. In January 2025, Everbright Water issued the first tranche of its 2025 MTNs, amounting to RMB1.5 billion, achieving a record-low interest rate of 1.78% for panda bonds with a three-year maturity.

The successful issuance of the 2025 Second Tranche MTNs underscores the market’s support for Everbright Water. The company plans to continue monitoring economic trends and exploring innovative financing models to optimise its debt structure and control costs. This strategic approach aims to provide stable capital support amid challenging market conditions.
“`

CSE Global, a company listed on the Singapore Exchange, is capitalising on the megatrends of urbanisation, electrification, and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth. In the financial year 2024, the company’s revenue increased by 18.8% year-on-year to S$861 million, with net profit also seeing a rise. This growth is attributed to the company’s strategic focus on mission-critical solutions that support major operations such as power grids, manufacturing, and data centres.

The company’s solutions are pivotal in several areas, including electrification, where they design and integrate complex electrical distribution systems for data centres. In communications, CSE Global develops advanced network systems to enhance safety and performance. Additionally, their automation solutions include setting up safety shutdown and production control systems, ensuring seamless operations.

CSE Global recently raised S$24 million through a placement of 60 million shares. The proceeds are being utilised to further strengthen their business segments, which are expected to evolve significantly over the coming years. The company is poised to continue leveraging these industry trends to sustain its growth momentum.

The insights into CSE Global’s strategies and future plans are part of the “10 in 10” series, which provides a concise overview of SGX-listed companies through a series of management Q&As. This initiative aims to offer a deeper understanding of the company’s objectives and the broader industry landscape.
“`

Homegrown water purifier brand Happie is marking its third anniversary with a series of significant developments, including the opening of a new Experiential Centre at 1 Sims Lane in Singapore and a nationwide ‘Shop & Win’ giveaway. The giveaway, in collaboration with Volt Auto, offers customers the chance to win a Dongfeng Box EV worth over $90,000. This campaign runs from 3 March to 6 September 2025, with all purchasers of Happie water purifiers during this period automatically entered into the draw.

Founded in 2022 by Benjamin and Sharon, Happie has rapidly expanded, serving over 20,000 customers with its minimalist, Korean-tech-powered water dispensers. The new 1,400 sq ft centre, an upgrade from their previous 900 sq ft space, is designed to host live demonstrations and community events, enhancing customer engagement. “This new centre is more than just a showroom—it’s a reflection of what Happie stands for: simple, beautiful solutions that make life easier,” said founder Benjamin Ling.

Adding to the celebration, Singaporean media icon Zoe Tay has been announced as Happie’s brand ambassador. Tay, known for her commitment to healthy living, praised the brand’s eco-conscious design and energy-saving features. “I believe in choosing products that support a greener future,” she stated.

Looking ahead, Happie plans to expand its product range beyond water purifiers, with a new home appliance set to launch in Q4 2025. This move aims to establish Happie as a broader household name, building on its foundation of premium purification solutions.
“`

Singapore is set to transform its oncology landscape with the introduction of ultrasound-based histotripsy trials, a non-invasive technology aimed at improving outcomes for liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancer patients. The Li Ka Shing Foundation and Temasek Trust have committed $8.8 million (SGD12 million) to fund these trials, marking the first of their kind in Southeast Asia. The trials will be conducted at the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, involving 40 patients.

Histotripsy employs focused ultrasound to create microbubbles that expand and collapse, generating shock waves to disintegrate tumours at the cellular level. Unlike traditional surgical or radiation treatments, histotripsy offers a pain-free, bloodless, and incision-free alternative, even for inoperable tumours. Jyoti Sharma, a Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, stated, “The advent of histotripsy represents a significant advancement in non-invasive oncology treatment.”

The funding will equip both cancer centres with a histotripsy system each, enhancing Singapore’s position in global cancer research and innovation. Sharma added, “By leveraging advanced technology and fostering cross-sector collaboration, Singapore not only enhances the treatment options available to its local patients but also establishes itself as a regional leader in medical research and innovation.”

This initiative underscores Singapore’s commitment to advancing cancer treatment and could pave the way for broader applications of histotripsy in oncology, potentially offering new hope for patients with previously untreatable tumours.
“`

The latest retail report from Knight Frank Singapore reveals a burgeoning food and beverage (F&B) sector, with 3,793 new F&B establishments opening in 2024, against 3,047 closures. This trend suggests an oversupply in the market, prompting calls for regulatory measures to ensure sustainability. Ethan Hsu, Head of Retail at Knight Frank Singapore, noted the need for market cooling measures to maintain a sustainable sector.

Prime retail rents in Singapore showed marginal growth in Q1 2025, with Orchard rents at S$31.20 per square foot per month and suburban areas at S$26.80. Despite this, the retail environment remains challenging due to rising operational costs and labour constraints. The average gross rent of prime retail spaces increased by 0.3% quarter-on-quarter to S$27.90 per square foot per month.

Visitor arrivals in Singapore are on the rise, with 3 million international visitors recorded in January and February 2025, indicating a recovery towards pre-pandemic levels. However, a decline in February’s figures, coupled with impending US tariffs, could signal future challenges.

The report also highlights the rapid expansion and subsequent closures within the F&B sector, with notable closures including Eggslut and Burger & Lobster. The proliferation of F&B outlets, particularly in malls, raises concerns about market saturation. Hsu suggests potential regulatory controls, such as limiting F&B licences and capping net lettable areas, to manage growth sustainably.

As Singapore’s retail sector grapples with high costs and market uncertainty, the report underscores the importance of timely measures to prevent further strain on the F&B landscape.
“`