This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 6/13/2019

Overview

                                            

2016

2017

2018 

2019 (estimated)

Total Market Size

1,975

1,569

1,494

2,000

Local Production

2,520

2,888

3,078

3,000

Exports

5,244

6,068

6,493

6,000

Imports

4,698

4,749

4,908

5,000

Import from U.S.

768

852

930

1,100

Exchange Rate: 1USD

1.38

1.38

1.35

1.35

$US millions (total market size = (total local production + imports) - exports)
Data Sources: Singapore Government Trade Statistics

As the regional powerhouse for advanced manufacturing technologies (close to 90,000 are employed in this sector who contribute slightly more than 10% of Singapore’s total manufacturing output) such as industrial robotics and manufacturing automation, Singapore provides an excellent opportunity for U.S. manufacturing companies to enter the ASEAN region. Manufacturing represents a significant component of Singapore’s GDP -- 20% according to Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB).

Precision sensors / instrumentation, micro-electrical machining systems (MEMS), smart manufacturing, internet of things and 3D printing all make use of industrial automation technologies and will be critical components of Singapore’s long-term economic growth. The U.S. accounts for close to 20% of Singapore’s market share for automation equipment, making it even larger than most other foreign countries.
 


Leading Sub-Sectors

Singapore ranks highly in the exports of U.S. industrial automation technologies and products. It is expected that exports to Singapore will grow at a slightly faster pace over the next 1-2 years due to the improving economy. Over the past 10 years, U.S. exports in this sector grew at an average annual rate of more than 10% and as such, the best prospects are for this sector are the following:

Electric Motors and Actuators
In 2018, Singapore was the 7th largest importer for this sub-sector, which totaled US$168 million due to the strong precision engineering sector and improving oil and gas sector. Both of these sub-sectors use a great deal of electric and pneumatic actuators.  

Top 5 export items in 2018 under this category were:
•              Machinery parts for use in electric motors
•              Electrical Actuators
•              Taps, cocks, and valves associated with pneumatic actuators
•              DC motors
•              AC motors
 
Electrical Relays and Industrial Controls
In 2018, Singapore was the 7th largest market for this sub-sector, which totaled US$189 million and this is due to the start of key infrastructure projects in the transportation sector such as the airport and maritime port expansions.

Top 3 export items in 2018 under this category were:
•              Control or adapter units for automated data processing machines
•              Programmable controllers
•              Motor control centers
 
Industrial Robots
In 2018, Singapore was the 6th largest recipient of U.S.-made products such as replacement parts and end-of-arm tooling, which totaled US$21 million in exports. Although exports from the United States increased in 2018, strong competition from Japan and Europe (particularly Germany) is expected to continue.

Top 2 export items in 2018 under this category were:
•              Industrial robots
•              Industrial robot parts
 
Sensors and Instruments
In 2018, Singapore was the 5th largest recipient of U.S.-made sensors and instruments, including process control equipment for level metering, which totaled US$162 million in exports. Demand for this sub-sector is expected to increase over the next 1-2 years.

Top 3 export items in 2018 under this category were:
•              Level process controls
•              Temperature process controls
•              Parts of automatic voltage-current regulators
 


Opportunities

Manufacturing is a key engine of the Singapore economy where precision engineering is the crucial enabler for industries as diverse as aerospace, electronics, chemicals, logistics, pharmaceutical, telecommunications and offshore engineering.  According to the Singapore Government, it is the essential ingredient in the fabrication of the smallest semiconductor chips, to the most cutting-edge of medical devices and the largest oil and gas drill bits.

Singapore’s precision engineering activities began some 50 years ago. There are now around 2,500 companies, ranging from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large multinational corporations (MNCs) that provide contract manufacturing services and system integration of automation and robotic solutions.  In view of manpower shortages and to increase productivity, these companies are being encouraged to adopt and make use of industrial automation, as well as advance manufacturing technologies.

Automation is also seen to be spreading to other industries such as retail, services and healthcare given the convergence of key technologies such as wireless sensors, cloud computing, big data and analytics, as well as an aging population. As such, the Singapore Government has various incentives for companies to upgrade the skills of their workers to meet technology advancements in the fields of precision motion, electromechanical modules and robotic applications.


Web Resources

Trade Shows
ITAP 2019 (Hannover Messe event)
October 22-24, 2019

Inside 3D Printing
February 2020

Singapore Government Offices
Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB)
Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology

Industry Organizations
Singapore Industrial Automation Association
Singapore Manufacturing Federation
 

U.S. Commercial Service, Singapore Contact

Mr. CHAN Y K, Commercial Specialist
Email: yiukei.chan@trade.gov

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.