Manufacturers, suppliers and solution providers are expected to exchange ideas and information to form the right partnerships and drive their company transformation forward in the course of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or I4.0. 
Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP). Photo: SingEx
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Indeed, the new technologies which contrast old technology exhibits enable them to showcase the transformation and the outcomes of practical applications.
At ITAP 2019, attendees, beginning with an understanding of I4.0 and its global implications and applications, deepen their experience at displays by Nanyang Polytechnic and Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) before heading to a discussion area to address their needs and priorities.
Exhibitor showcases their advanced technologies at ITAP 2018. Photo: SingEx
When they exit the gateway, there are various curated learning platforms on the show floor to help sharpen their focus and to add momentum to their learning.
(1) Over 50 Sandbox sessions provide practical learnings based on industry specific challenges. Topics presented include: A Holistic Solution for SME Enterprises on an I4.0 journey; Enabling Smooth Business Transition and Transformation; Practical Examples on using Location Tracking to Improve Manufacturing & Logistics Operations Efficiency; ASi-5 + IO-Link as a Perfect Combination in Industrial Communication.
(2) Dynamic Learning Lab with live demonstrations to highlight the capabilities and applications of autonomous solutions in Intralogistics.
(3) A Research and Technology Zone to activate business collaborations through open innovations with technology providers and seekers. Presented by Institutes of Higher Learning such as Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic and TUM Asia.
(4) Over 100 Guided Tours with 8 tracks covering 12 industries: Aerospace, Automotive, Food & Beverage, Infrastructure & Facilities/Urban Solutions, Logistics & Supply Chain, Oil & Gas/Energy, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, and Semiconductor/Electronics & Electrical.
(5) Island-wide Technical Tours to leading R&D centers such as: ABB Customer Innovation Center; Advanced Remanufacturing & Technology Centre; Centre of Excellence for Testing; EOS Additive Manufacturing Centre; Flexspeed iSmart; Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence; Ngee Ann Polytechnic Centre of Innovation (EWTCOI) Additive Manufacturing Lab; SAP Leonardo Centre; SICK Technology and Innovation Lab; Siemens Advanced Manufacturing Transformation Center; Singapore Polytechnic Advanced Manufacturing Learning Journey; SMT i4.0 Smart Manufacturing Centre; Sodick Techno Center; Tranzplus Smart Manufacturing Centre.
Media Engagment & Networking Session for ITAP 2019. Photo: Linh Pham
As a precursor to the main show, a media and industry engagement event held at the German Ambassador to Singapore’s Residence on October 1 amplified the agenda of cross-border technology transfer among Germany, Asia and Singapore.
The event marked the attendance of German Ambassador to Singapore Dr Ulrich Sante, a German delegation led by Prime Minister of Lower Saxony Mr Stephan Weil, leaders from government agencies and key industry organizations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam for a media briefing and a fireside chat to address “Priorities for the Next Stage of Manufacturing Transformation in Asia”.
The advent of I4.0 will enable companies to capture such growth prospects in a faster, more efficient way and ITAP is part of events to promote the process, according to Lim Kok Kiang, Assistant Managing Director, EDB.
Visitors at exhibitor's booth at ITAP 2018. Photo: SingEx
Strong intergovernmental engagement in I4.0 adoption bodes well for ASEAN industry players that recognize the importance of the I4.0 agenda but do not know how to start. For that reason, industrial transformation attracts industry leaders who raise the bar in research and technology and are ahead of the curve in anticipating industry trends.
They are among many outstanding organizations presenting solutions that answer the urgent needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia Pacific.
At Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC, Schneider Electric’s tailored Smart Factory Readiness Assessment will allow companies to identify their current stage of automation and find out how they can progress to their next level of digitization, said Tommy Leong, Zone President, East Asia & Japan at Schneider Electric.
These efforts pave the way for organizations in Asia to work towards their smart factory vision and become more energy-efficient and sustainable in the long run, he added.
Visitors at exhibitor's booth at ITAP 2018. Photo: SingEx
Siemens, meanwhile, will help accelerate the knowledge and experience base of additive manufacturing in the local ecosystem to assist local companies in their digital transformation, according to Raimund Klein, Head of Siemens Digital Industries ASEAN.
“Siemens helps companies of any size to use industry-specific solutions to increase their flexibility and productivity, and to develop new business models to optimize their production and accelerate their time to market,” Raimund Klein said.
Siemens supports digital transformation for manufacturing industries in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Local companies such as VinFast, Vietnam’s first volume car manufacturer, and WinterShine, Singapore’s first digital aquaculture farm, have embraced digitalization in its entire value chain with Siemens’ Digital Enterprise portfolio.
Professor Tan Sze Wee, Executive Director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) Science and Engineering Research Council, said A*STAR works closely with industry players through public-private partnerships to help them transform digitally by adopting I4.0 technologies. ITAP is a good opportunity for such engagements.
“As demand for customized products and services continues to grow, manufacturers have to be able to respond quickly,” the professor noted.
