Talk on Rolls Royce in Singapore and Seletar
Tanglin Club - 27 July 2011 - by John Horsburgh, COO Rolls Royce Aerospace Singapore
ABSTRACT:
Rolls-Royce has grown its presence in Singapore considerably in recent
years and the company is already a major player in Singapore’s aerospace
industry, accounting for over 15 per cent of the country’s aerospace
output. Through the company’s joint ventures with key local industry
partner, Singapore Airlines Engineering Company and activities in the
Energy and Marine sectors, Rolls-Royce currently employs over 1,400 people
in Singapore. It also accounts for approximately five per cent of the total
aerospace industry workforce.
In 2007, Rolls-Royce announced plans to build its most modern engine
assembly and test facility in Singapore, incorporating the lean assembly
and flow line operation principles the company has developed, which ensures
significant operational efficiencies and improved service quality. The
engine and test facility, along with the wide chord fan blade factory, will
be part of a wider campus that will also house the Advanced Technology
Centre, regional training and conference centre and shared services
including the Singapore business headquarters, HR department and supply
chain.
The speaker will discuss the development of Roll Royce businesses and
facilities in Singapore, in particular the new facilities at Seletar.
SPEAKER: John Horsburgh
John has a Management career spanning over 35 years, predominantly in
transportation, and in particular repair and overhaul. Twenty two of these
years have been spent outside of UK, seven of which were spent in Singapore
from 1977 to 1984 with the Sembawang Group. After leaving Singapore, John
was a focal player in the commercialisation of the ex-Royal Naval Dockyard
in Gibraltar. Following his return to UK in the mid eighties, was involved
with the Contractorised Management of Rosyth Royal Dockyard and with
specific responsibilities for Project Management of the Hunter Killer
Nuclear Submarine Refit Programme.
After having gained a MBA from Strathclyde University in Scotland,
continued his focus on Repair and Overhaul in Aero Engines, from the
position of General Manager to President and Managing Director of the now
GE Caledonian facility in Prestwick, Scotland. This period saw the company
through four changes of United States ownerships yet still grow in
profitability, from an employer of 750 to 1200 persons and with an
international reputation based on a Quality Product and a Quality Service!
He joined Rolls-Royce in 1999, the time of Singapore Aero Engine Services
Pte Ltd (SAESL)’s incorporation as CEO. SAESL is a joint venture between
Rolls-Royce, Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Ltd and SIA Engineering
Company.
From January 2008, John has been COO Aerospace Singapore with primary
responsibility; the establishment of the Rolls-Royce Trent Engine Assembly
& Test Facility at Seletar. Supplemented in June 2009 with responsibility
for the Commercial Engine Fan Blade manufacturing facility. As well as
maintaining oversight of the two joint venture companies in Singapore –
SAESL and IECO