Industry News

Augmentus, a Singapore-based leader in AI robotics, has announced a strategic investment from Applied Ventures, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials Inc. This investment is set to propel Augmentus’s mission of advancing intelligent autonomous robotics for high-mix, high-variability manufacturing worldwide. The company’s flagship innovation, the AutoPath robotics stack, integrates advanced 3D vision and adaptive intelligence, enabling robots to perceive, understand, and act with unprecedented precision.

The AutoPath system generates detailed point clouds, allowing robots to capture intricate geometries and surface deviations. This capability translates into dynamic, real-time path generation, enabling robots to adjust their movements on the fly, thus maintaining accuracy in complex environments. This innovation eliminates the need for expert programming, allowing robots to be deployed and reconfigured in minutes, transforming them into adaptive collaborators in manufacturing processes.

Daryl Lim, co-founder and CEO of Augmentus, stated, “Our vision is to enable factories to adapt as quickly as the world changes.” With the backing of Applied Ventures, Augmentus aims to bring agility, precision, and resilience to global manufacturing. Abhishek Sud, Senior Investment Director at Applied Ventures, highlighted the investment’s significance, noting the growing importance of adaptive robotics in enhancing efficiency and resilience in the industrial sector.

Augmentus, with operations in both Singapore and Austin, Texas, offers a no-code AI-powered platform that integrates 3D scanning and adaptive robotic motion. This technology is already deployed across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy, significantly reducing setup times and enhancing operational flexibility.

Zyon Grand, a new residential project in Zion Road, Singapore, experienced a successful launch this weekend, selling 590 out of its 706 units. This impressive 84% sales rate underscores the continued confidence in Singapore’s private residential market. Kelvin Fong, CEO of PropNex, noted that this success aligns with the trend of recent launches, such as Parktown Residences and Springleaf Residence, which also saw significant sales.

The development is the first to feature Long-Stay Serviced Apartments, a new category introduced by the government to address rental housing demand. Larger units were particularly popular, reflecting strong end-user interest, with most buyers being Singaporeans. This suggests a resilient local demand, supported by the project’s family-oriented design.

Zyon Grand’s prime location, with direct access to Havelock MRT station, enhances its appeal. The development offers convenient travel to key areas like Shenton Way and Orchard Road, and is close to popular spots along the Singapore River. Additionally, the presence of several schools nearby makes it attractive to families.

The project’s pricing strategy also played a role in its success, with two-bedroom units starting at $1.468m and three-bedroom units at around $2.2m. This competitive pricing, coupled with easing interest rates, has made purchasing more affordable. The 3-month compounded SORA rate is at its lowest in over three years, further boosting buyer confidence.

Prudential Singapore, in collaboration with the SG Eco Fund, has launched the Healthy Harvest initiative, a two-year programme aimed at enhancing climate and health resilience whilst promoting social inclusion. The initiative, unveiled on 26 October, includes the creation of two community edible gardens at Telok Blangah and West Coast Park, designed to engage seniors, young people, and individuals with disabilities in sustainable gardening practices.

The launch event, officiated by Rachel Ong, Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations, featured the harvesting and packing of vegetables for local residents. Chan San San, CEO of Prudential Singapore, emphasised the initiative’s goal to empower communities to adopt sustainable lifestyles and healthier eating habits. “Healthy Harvest is a collaboration with the SG Eco Fund that reflects our commitment to building climate and health resilience in the community,” she stated.

The gardens, managed by social enterprises Farmilysg and City Sprouts, offer wheelchair-accessible beds and host various activities, including workshops on sustainable gardening and food waste composting. The initiative aims to collect 6,000 kg of food waste for composting and distribute 3,000 kg of fresh produce to the community.

Desmond Ho, Trust Secretary of SG Eco Fund, highlighted the importance of the initiative in advancing environmental sustainability in line with the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The project is part of Prudential’s SG60 community investment, which has increased from $880,000 to $1m, with additional funding supporting garden activities.

Singapore and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create the Singapore–China Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC). The agreement, signed on 19 October by Singapore’s Acting Minister for Transport, Jeffrey Siow, and China’s Minister of Transport, Liu Wei, elevates their cooperation to a national level, building on previous agreements with Tianjin and Shandong.

The MoU outlines plans for both nations to collaborate with industry stakeholders to advance maritime decarbonisation and improve port and supply-chain efficiency. The initiative will focus on developing technologies, infrastructure, and standards to foster a sustainable and connected maritime ecosystem. Additionally, the corridor aims to enhance digitalisation in maritime operations by promoting data-driven systems to boost efficiency, resilience, and transparency across the maritime value chain.

Both countries will leverage their strengths in manufacturing, supply chain ecosystems, regulatory frameworks, and financial capabilities to drive innovation and implement green and digital initiatives effectively. The establishment of the GDSC highlights the shared commitment of Singapore and China to foster innovation, enhance maritime connectivity, and support the global transition towards a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable maritime sector.

AJJ Medtech Holdings Limited has announced that its subsidiary, AJJ Healthcare Management Pte Ltd, has been awarded a significant long-term supply contract by a prominent network of Singapore healthcare institutions. The contract, effective from 22 October 2025 to 21 October 2028, involves the provision of laboratory plastic consumables to several national-level research and clinical institutions, with an option for a two-year extension.

The contract underscores AJJ Healthcare’s reputation for high-quality and reliable supply chain management, reinforcing its standing as a trusted MedTech and healthcare brand in Singapore. This development is seen as a strategic move that strengthens the company’s position in the institutional supply sector, enhancing its recurring revenue base and earnings visibility over the medium term.

AJJ Healthcare’s CEO, William Ong, expressed his enthusiasm about the contract, stating, “This strategic award enables us to further demonstrate our commitment to operational excellence and supply chain reliability. We are honoured to expand our partnership with Singapore’s leading healthcare institutions.”

The contract also highlights the company’s capability to meet stringent supply chain requirements whilst maintaining consistent product quality and service reliability. AJJ Healthcare’s ISO 13485-certified quality framework played a crucial role in securing this contract, further validating its commercial operations.

The company anticipates that this contract will contribute positively to its financial performance, although the actual revenue generated may vary due to market or regulatory changes. AJJ Medtech Holdings Limited plans to provide updates on any material developments related to this contract.

Palm Beach Motor Yachts, a subsidiary of the Singapore Exchange (SGX)-listed Grand Banks Yachts Limited, has announced its acquisition of the iconic racing yacht Wild Oats XI. This strategic move positions Palm Beach Motor Yachts at the forefront of the luxury yacht industry, enhancing its portfolio with one of the most celebrated vessels in competitive sailing history.

Wild Oats XI is renowned for its impressive record in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, having claimed line honours on multiple occasions. The acquisition underscores Palm Beach Motor Yachts’ commitment to expanding its influence and capabilities within the high-performance yachting sector.

The decision to take the helm of Wild Oats XI aligns with Grand Banks’ broader strategy to leverage its subsidiaries’ strengths and enhance its market presence. By integrating such a prestigious yacht into its fleet, Palm Beach Motor Yachts aims to attract a discerning clientele and reinforce its reputation for excellence in yacht manufacturing and design.

This acquisition not only highlights the company’s ambition but also its dedication to maintaining a competitive edge in the luxury yacht market. As Palm Beach Motor Yachts continues to innovate and expand, industry observers will be keen to see how this acquisition impacts its future endeavours and market positioning.

Timbre Group has officially opened Timbre+ Hillview, a new food and music destination located within the Central Manpower Base (CMPB) in Singapore. This launch is part of the group’s 20th anniversary celebrations, aiming to merge Singapore’s hawker culture with live entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The venue features 26 hawker and lifestyle stalls, live music zones, karaoke spaces, and a golf simulator, creating a vibrant community hub accessible to the public.

Timbre+ Hillview is designed to support local hawkers and emerging food and beverage entrepreneurs by providing affordable spaces, marketing assistance, and mentorship opportunities. Chuh Chee Ming, owner of Zijia Yong Tau Fu, praised Timbre for its support during the pandemic, stating, “Timbre stood by us with flexible rentals and delivery support that helped us stay afloat.” Similarly, Calvyn Ng, founder of Munchi Pancakes, credited Timbre for helping expand his business to over 40 outlets.

The venue also introduces the Timbre app, which allows visitors to discover events, place orders, and receive a 10% discount on purchases made via the app. This initiative aligns with Timbre Group’s mission of creating spaces that combine food, music, and community engagement.

Co-founder and CEO Danny Loong emphasised the group’s commitment to nurturing local talent, stating, “Timbre+ Hillview reflects our belief that everyone deserves a stage, and that stage should be open to all.” As Timbre Group celebrates its 20th anniversary, it continues to champion local musicians and food entrepreneurs, reinforcing its role as a key player in Singapore’s lifestyle and entertainment scene.

Singapore’s private residential market witnessed a significant boost in Q3 2025, with sales volumes rising by 44.4% quarter-on-quarter (qoq) to 7,404 units, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s analysis of URA statistics. This surge was primarily driven by robust demand for new launches and a thriving resale market, which accounted for 52.4% of the total sales.

The resale market’s appeal continues to grow among both owner-occupiers and investors, bolstered by rising rents, lower interest rates, and a notable price gap compared to new launches. New sale volumes soared by 171.3% qoq, reaching 3,288 units, whilst subsale volumes dropped by 12.6% qoq to 235 units, marking the lowest level since Q4 2022.

In the first three quarters of 2025, overall private residential sales reached 19,793 units, a 36.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The resale market contributed 11,093 units, representing 56% of the total sales. New sales are projected to hit between 10,000 to 11,000 units by year-end, a four-year high.

Private residential prices continued their upward trajectory, increasing by 0.9% qoq in Q3 2025. Landed residential prices rose by 1.4% qoq, whilst non-landed prices saw a 0.8% qoq increase, driven by the Core Central Region (CCR) and Outside Central Region (OCR).

Looking ahead, private residential prices are expected to grow by 3-4% year-on-year in 2025, supported by declining interest rates and strong upgrader demand. The market remains buoyant, with developers showing a keen interest in land acquisition amid low unsold inventory and stabilising construction costs.

Singapore’s industrial production (IP) experienced a remarkable surge of 26.3% month-on-month in September, marking the most significant sequential increase since January 2011, according to UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. This surge translated into a 16.1% year-on-year increase, surpassing all analyst estimates, which ranged from -6.5% to 9.0%.

The impressive performance in September was primarily driven by two sectors. Pharmaceuticals saw an extraordinary expansion of over 500% month-on-month, attributed to a sudden front-loading of orders from the US. This followed announcements by former US President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on branded or patented pharmaceutical products unless manufactured in the US. Although the tariffs were initially set to take effect on 1 October, they have been delayed to allow negotiations for exemptions.

Additionally, the electronics sector recorded a 15.8% month-on-month rebound, led by semiconductors, which grew by 17.0%. This growth is believed to be fuelled by global demand for AI-driven investments, including data centre expansions and the integration of AI technologies into consumer devices.

The robust industrial production figures suggest a potential upward revision of Singapore’s Q3 2025 manufacturing growth to 5.0% year-on-year, compared to the initial estimate of 0.0%. Consequently, UOB has raised its full-year 2025 GDP forecast to 3.5% from the previous 3.2%, whilst maintaining the 2026 projection at 1.8%. The final Q3 GDP figures are expected to be released in late November.

Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard, has successfully launched The Vault on Tour in Singapore, marking its first appearance outside Scotland. Held on 5 October at 67 Pall Mall Singapore, the event was an exclusive, invitation-only experience for Southeast Asia’s most discerning collectors. Attendees were treated to an immersive journey into The Vault by Chivas Brothers, which showcases the company’s most coveted high-aged whiskies.

The event, hosted by Le Cercle by Pernod Ricard, brought together 24 members from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Guests were welcomed by Jean-Etienne Gourgues, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, and guided through the archives by Master Blender Sandy Hyslop and Archivist Robert Athol. The highlight of the event was an intimate tasting of five hand-picked single casks, including Strathisla 2002 and Longmorn 1998.

The Vault by Chivas Brothers is renowned for offering a rarefied journey into the heart of Scotch whisky at its home in Strathisla, Scotland’s oldest working distillery. This Singapore event recreated that experience, complete with a sensory immersion through sight, sound, and taste. Attendees also received a personalised box with a polished key and an invitation to the Strathisla experience.

Organised by Le Cercle, Pernod Ricard’s private client society, The Vault on Tour exemplifies the kind of rare experiences reserved for its members. The society curates immersive encounters, bringing its philosophy of shared luxury to life.