Industry News

Botsync, a Series-A funded robotics startup, has been awarded the prestigious Singapore SME 500 Award 2025. This accolade, announced on 3 July 2025, recognises Botsync’s outstanding business standards, qualities, and performance in the field of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automation management software. The award is a testament to Botsync’s capabilities in revolutionising material movement in factories and warehouses.

The Singapore SME 500 Award, conducted by the Association of Trade and Commerce (ATC), is one of the country’s most esteemed business accolades. It evaluates enterprises on both quantitative and qualitative aspects, including their potential for business development and market expansion. Botsync’s achievement underscores its commitment to excellence and innovation in the robotics industry.

Botsync’s automation solutions are designed to streamline intralogistics processes using a no-code automation platform and a fleet of AMRs. These solutions have transformed operations for industry giants such as Ford, Coca-Cola, and Kimberly-Clark, enhancing throughput, reducing downtime, and improving efficiency with minimal changes to existing infrastructure.

The award not only affirms Botsync’s business excellence but also highlights its role in advancing automation technology. The company expressed gratitude to its partners, colleagues, and clients for their support in achieving this milestone. As Botsync continues to expand its presence across Singapore, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Australia, this recognition is expected to bolster its reputation and growth in the global market.
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Schroders has announced the establishment of its Global Digital Assets Centre of Excellence in Singapore, a strategic move to bolster its digital asset capabilities worldwide. Led by Marita McGinley, Global Head of Digital Asset Strategy, the centre will focus on innovation, capitalising on tokenisation opportunities, and building a scalable future operating model.

The centre will prioritise the development of digital components through tokenisation, aiming to enhance client value and operational efficiencies. It will also explore new opportunities in tokenised funds and treasury solutions, whilst creating a simplified framework using reusable digital components like smart contracts and integration tools.

Digital assets offer transformative potential for the asset management industry, and Schroders is keen to leverage this through its vision of Composable Finance. This approach allows the firm to optimise investments into programmable smart contracts and tokens, broadening investment opportunities and standardising processes.

The centre will engage with key stakeholders to shape policies, drive industry standards, and promote knowledge sharing. This initiative aligns with Singapore’s ambitions to lead in financial technology and digital asset innovation, supported by Schroders’ involvement in the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Project Guardian.

Gopi Mirchandani, Head of Client Group, Asia, highlighted the significance of the launch, stating, “The Global Digital Assets Centre of Excellence marks a pivotal milestone in our journey to drive the evolution of asset management through digital innovation.” Meagen Burnett, Group Chief Financial Officer, added, “Digital assets are transforming asset management… Schroders will continue to adopt these new technologies to meet evolving needs.”

The launch underscores Schroders’ commitment to driving innovation in asset management, positioning itself at the forefront of digital asset development.
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Soilbuild Construction has reported a remarkable 58.4% increase in revenue for the financial year 2024, driven by significant growth in its Construction and Precast and Prefabrication segments. The Construction division alone contributed 81.5% of the total revenue, highlighting its pivotal role in the company’s success. This surge in revenue has also led to an improvement in operating cash flow, with the company generating S$35.9 million, enhancing its liquidity position.

The company’s Construction segment grew by 53.1%, whilst the Precast and Prefabrication segment saw an impressive 87.1% increase. This growth is attributed to strategic business objectives and key revenue drivers that have been effectively managed by Soilbuild Construction’s leadership. The company is now exploring plans to diversify its revenue streams, ensuring sustainable growth in the future.

In addition to revenue growth, Soilbuild Construction’s improved liquidity positions it well for future investments and operational enhancements. The company is considering various options for deploying its increased cash flow, which could include expanding its current operations or investing in new opportunities within the industry.

The insights into Soilbuild Construction’s performance were shared as part of the “10 in 10” series, which provides a concise overview of SGX-listed companies through a series of management Q&As. This format allows for a deeper understanding of the company’s current business landscape and future strategies. As Soilbuild Construction continues to lead in green building, its focus on innovation and sustainability remains at the forefront of its operations.
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Hikvision has launched its latest educational tool, the WonderHub interactive display, at the Shaping Intelligence 2025 Education Summit in Singapore. Designed to address persistent classroom challenges, WonderHub integrates high-performance technology with the innovative WonderOS 4.0, offering educators a seamless and intelligent teaching experience.

The WonderHub Select Series is equipped with an industry-leading AI chip, an 8-core CPU, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage, allowing teachers to conduct presentations and run multiple teaching apps without lag. The device runs on the latest Android system, providing instant access to Google apps and familiar tools, eliminating the need for additional training.

WonderOS 4.0 is set to redefine classroom teaching with features like AI Identify, which enhances engagement by allowing teachers to highlight content for instant explanations, and AI QA, which provides quick answers to student inquiries. AI Meeting offers real-time captions and summaries, reducing teachers’ workloads. The system supports teachers from lesson preparation to post-lesson evaluation, ensuring an intelligent teaching experience.

With over 500,000 units delivered to more than 10,000 schools in 140 countries, WonderHub is gaining global recognition. Joshua Oswari, General Manager at Zioncom Technology, praised the product’s impact, stating, “WonderHub’s upgraded features and integration can encourage better interactive learning and provide a seamless teaching experience.”

Hikvision’s commitment to innovation, supported by over 1,000 professionals and numerous edtech patents, continues to refine educational tools, making teaching simpler and smarter. With WonderHub, the future of education is within reach.
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Gumazing, a well-known children’s gummy vitamin brand, is significantly expanding its reach in Singapore by partnering with major retailers such as Watsons and ThomsonBaby Retail. This expansion makes their popular Multivitamin and Immunity Boost Gummies more accessible to families across the nation. Additionally, Gumazing is launching a new line of supplements tailored for women, including Prenatal & Postnatal Multivitamin Gummies and Menopause Gummies.

The introduction of these new products marks a strategic move for Gumazing, aiming to transform wellness into a shared family experience. Co-Founder Krishika Bahirwani emphasised the brand’s mission, stating, “The aim is to empower parents to participate in and integrate wellness habits throughout the family.” This initiative positions Gumazing at the forefront of Singapore’s evolving health and wellness market, catering to the increasing demand for convenient and enjoyable nutritional solutions for all ages.

By expanding its product range and retail presence, Gumazing is poised to make a significant impact on family wellness in Singapore. The new women’s supplements reflect the brand’s commitment to offering comprehensive health solutions, ensuring that wellness is a family affair. As Gumazing continues to innovate and grow, it is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nutritional health in the region.
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PR Newswire has announced a strategic partnership with SPH Media, significantly expanding its press release distribution within Singapore. This collaboration grants PR Newswire clients unprecedented access to The Straits Times and MONEY FM 89.3, two of Singapore’s most-consumed media outlets. The partnership aims to deepen geographic penetration and boost engagement with industry professionals and consumers across the region.

The Straits Times, SPH Media’s flagship English daily, is Singapore’s most widely read newspaper, offering comprehensive national and international news coverage. MONEY FM 89.3, the country’s first business and personal finance radio station, provides 24/7 English-language programming. This partnership builds on a content licensing agreement signed in May 2024 between SPH Media and Cision Ltd, PR Newswire’s parent company, which allows Cision’s clients to monitor online content from all SPH Media outlets via the CisionOne platform.

Matt Brown, President of PR Newswire, stated, “By distributing press release content to The Straits Times and MONEY FM 89.3, we’re providing our clients with unparalleled access to a highly engaged and influential Singaporean audience.”

Key features of this partnership include leveraging The Straits Times’ significant multiplatform presence, which attracts 62.2 million monthly page views and 8.5 million monthly users, and offering PR Newswire clients exclusive access to a premium audience of Singaporean professionals.

Lynn Liu, Vice President of Audience Development and Distribution Services at PR Newswire APAC, remarked, “We believe this collaboration will unlock significant value for our clients, enabling them to connect with key audiences in a more impactful and data-driven way.”

This partnership underscores PR Newswire’s commitment to broadening its global network and ensuring its customers reach the most extensive, high-quality audience worldwide.
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Johnson Controls, a leader in smart and sustainable building solutions, is celebrating its 140th anniversary, marking over four decades of significant contributions to Singapore’s built environment. The company has equipped more than 40% of Singapore’s commercial buildings with smart technologies, supporting sectors such as healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing.

A recent project in Singapore’s city centre exemplifies Johnson Controls’ impact. By employing Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) and Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS), the company has retrofitted one of the largest mixed-use developments, aiming to reduce approximately 88,000 tonnes of CO₂ over 15 years. This initiative is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 41,000 households.

Johnson Controls’ commitment to innovation is further demonstrated by its new OpenBlue Innovation Centre and Remote Operating Centre at one-north, which has been certified with the BCA Green Mark Platinum for Healthier Workplaces. These facilities enable real-time analytics and regional remote monitoring across Southeast Asia, enhancing the company’s ability to support smart and sustainable urban goals.

Peter Ferguson, General Manager for Southeast Asia, stated, “Our commitment at Johnson Controls is clear: to lead in innovation and sustainability that powers smart urban growth. We see our role as not just participants but full partners who drive impactful change across Singapore and Southeast Asia.”

As Singapore celebrates its SG60 milestone, Johnson Controls continues to invest in talent development and cutting-edge technologies, reinforcing its role in the nation’s sustainable urban evolution. Looking ahead, the company aims to further integrate IoT and AI technologies to enhance building intelligence and efficiency.
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Ipsos Singapore has unveiled its latest study, “CX Global Insights 2025,” highlighting the importance of emotional connections in customer experience (CX). The study, presented at a recent event in Singapore, reveals that only 31% of customers worldwide believe companies truly care about them, underscoring a significant experience gap. The research, which surveyed 65,000 evaluations across 18 countries, including Singapore, emphasises the need for businesses to foster emotional attachments to drive loyalty and exceed customer expectations.

The study’s findings are particularly relevant for Singapore, where 57% of customers choose brands based on recommendations, yet only 31% would recommend the same brand afterwards, falling below the global average of 48%. This indicates a disconnect between initial brand choice and customer satisfaction. Additionally, 44% of Singaporean customers find social media influencers untrustworthy, suggesting a need for businesses to build trust through authentic interactions.

Key insights from the study include the importance of friendly service, reliable products, and seamless digital experiences. Notably, 52% of Singaporean customers are willing to pay more for better experiences, increasing to 70% if emotional connections are established. This trend is evident even in essential sectors like supermarkets and mobile networks, where emotionally attached customers are more willing to pay extra.

The study also highlights the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in CX, with less than half of Singaporean customers believing it enhances their experience. Ipsos recommends balancing AI with human interaction to address complex situations effectively.

Ipsos’ findings suggest that businesses must rethink their approach to CX, focusing on emotional connections and personalised interactions to truly differentiate themselves and foster customer loyalty.
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Affluent investors across Asia have dramatically reshaped their portfolios, doubling their allocations to alternative investments and gold, according to HSBC’s 2025 Affluent Investor Snapshot. The report, which surveyed 10,797 investors in 12 markets, highlights a notable trend towards diversification, particularly among younger investors who have tripled their allocations to alternative assets over the past year.

The Snapshot reveals that affluent investors have reduced their cash holdings by nearly 40%, opting to put their money to work in more dynamic asset classes. This shift is largely driven by younger generations, with Gen Z and millennials leading the move away from cash. As interest rates fell, these investors reduced their average cash holdings from 31% to 17%.

Gold investments have seen a significant increase, with allocations more than doubling from 5% to 11%. Investors in Indonesia, mainland China, and Malaysia have registered the largest increases in gold allocations. Additionally, nearly half of the affluent investors globally plan to invest in gold in the next year, with a growing interest in tokenised formats.

International investing is also on the rise, with the US remaining a favoured market for overseas investments. Singapore and Hong Kong have emerged as top choices for opening overseas investment accounts. Overall, 40% of affluent investors plan to invest internationally within the next 12 months, with the highest interest in the UAE and Singapore.

Despite global uncertainties, 80% of affluent investors remain confident in achieving their long-term financial goals, with retirement and wealth building as top priorities. The report underscores a strategic shift in investment behaviours, as affluent individuals seek to build and preserve wealth through diversified portfolios.
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OCBC has announced the introduction of a smart text resizing feature in its app, set to launch by the end of July 2025. This new feature will allow users, particularly seniors and those with sight challenges, to choose from seven text sizes in both English and Mandarin. This initiative is part of OCBC’s commitment to advancing inclusivity in digital banking as Singapore transitions into a “super aged” society.

The development of this feature involved nearly 100 engineers, designers, and product managers, driven by observations that many older customers struggled with the default text size. The app’s interface will now adapt to the customer’s preferred text size and device’s screen dimensions, addressing limitations found in system-level font adjustments on both iPhone and Android devices.

This feature is part of OCBC SeniorCare, a $2 million (£1.6 million) programme launched earlier this year to empower over 180,000 seniors. It complements other efforts such as the hiring of OCBC CARE Ambassadors fluent in dialects to assist seniors at selected branches. Sunny Quek, Head of Global Consumer Financial Services at OCBC, stated, “With almost 40% of our digitally active customers aged 60 and above, it’s clear that designing for inclusivity is not just a nice-to-have – it’s a necessity.”

The smart text resizing feature is expected to encourage more seniors to engage with digital banking, whilst OCBC continues to offer support through CARE Ambassadors and Sunday branch openings. This development marks a significant step in making banking accessible to all, regardless of age or ability.
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