Continental opens S$29.7m R&D extension building

Singapore

GERMAN automotive supplier Continental has opened a S$29.7 million extension building to its research and development (R&D) centre in Singapore, in line with its expansion plans against the backdrop of Asia's growing automobile industry.

Spanning 5,000 square metres, the new extension building at Boon Keng Road will house R&D and administrative offices from four of its business units from its interior division. It will accommodate about 450 staff.

Eelco Spoelder, chairman of Continental Automotive Singapore, said: "With the extension of our R&D capacities in Singapore, it is evident that Continental is sending a strong signal to the automotive industry on our serious commitment to expand, and our strong support for the interior division's growth strategy in Asia. Interior is constantly striving to increase our sales in Asia. The opening of our new, large-scale development site in Singapore is a clear sign of our commitment to local development and production."

Last year, Continental's sales in Asia grew to about 6.4 billion euros (S$10.4 billion).

Mr Spoelder stressed that Singapore is a key engineering hub for its interior division as it has successfully developed products here for years.

Its instrumentation and driver human-machine interface (HMI) business unit has also established itself as a business hub by focusing on customer relationship and project management. This will make its operations in Singapore a crucial platform when it comes to engaging customers, acquiring new business, operating global products and ensuring the successful launch of products in its manufacturing plants.

Continental has opened as many as 29 R&D centres in Asia, with the one in Singapore among the three largest in the region.

According to Continental Singa-pore's managing director Lo Kien Foh, its headcount in Singapore has expanded from about 650 in July 2012 to over 900 at present. It plans to grow further to more than 1,300 within the next four years, he said.

Today, over 70 per cent of its employees in Singapore are working in areas such as software, electronics, mechanical, system engineering, and HMI. With the rising demand for new technologies within the industry, Continental is seeking more engineers who work in these areas.

"Continental's expansion is testament to Singapore's talented engineering workforce and conducive business environment," added Lim Kok Kiang, assistant managing director of the Economic Development Board. "We are pleased that Singapore continues to be an ideal location for Continental to develop new products and systems for Asia and beyond."