Smart poultry factory developed in Singapore

15-Oct-2019 - Last updated on 15-Oct-2019 at 12:43 GMT

A poultry factory in Singapore, billed as the first smart and green site in the region, is being built with the help of a $40m loan.

Singapore Poultry Hub is setting up the first smart and green factory for the poultry industry in Singapore with a $40m loan secured from United Overseas Bank (UOB).

The new factory will help Singapore Poultry Hub to improve their productivity by 26% and to increase their capacity by 70%.

The smart factory will also feature a new waste management system to reduce the amount of waste generated by the poultry processors. Instead of disposing all the poultry waste, the system will convert part of it into protein that will be used as an ingredient for livestock feed. This will help the company become more sustainable in its operations and reduces their waste by 60 tonnes per day. The innovative waste management system is an example of a market-led innovation under FoodInnovate, a multi-agency initiative led by Enterprise Singapore.

Singapore Poultry Hub is a joint venture among five parties, namely Mr Tan Chin Long and four poultry producers and processors – Tong Huat Poultry Processing Factory, Kee Song Holdings Pte Ltd, Sinmah Holdings (S) Pte Ltd and Tysan Food Pte Ltd.

Singapore Poultry Hub will work with partners such as the trade and enterprise development agency, Enterprise Singapore, to employ smart technologies such as robotics, Industry 4.0 technologies and the industrial Internet of things at its new factory.

Joseph Heng, CEO of Singapore Poultry Hub, said: “We recognise the need to use technology to ensure our competitiveness in the long term. As a small- and medium-sized enterprise making an investment of this scale, we needed the support of a banking partner who could not only provide us the financing required but advise us on the most relevant financial solutions for our needs. UOB was with us at every step of the way, sharing their expertise and helping us determine the best way to optimise our funds. We are grateful for the Bank’s support and look forward to continue working with UOB.”

Eric Tham, head of group commercial banking at UOB, added: “Technology is an important enabler for businesses. By using technology, firms can not only overcome the perennial challenges of cost and manpower, but also develop the digital capabilities required to position themselves strongly for the future. Our support of Singapore Poultry Hub is another example of how we are helping SMEs to transform their business and to seize opportunities from trends such as Industry 4.0.”