Under The Radar

Laptops, computers and phones – they are among the items that have shrunk in size over time as consumers demand items that are smaller, more portable and perhaps cheaper.  But besides our daily consumer goods, did you know that even satellites are getting smaller too?  Not only are satellites getting smaller, they also need to fly closer to the Earth to collect better quality data to power industries such as maritime, aviation and even banking.  To do so, satellite companies now need smaller, low power and efficient, engines, and that’s exactly what our guest for today does. Founded in 2018, Aliena is a spin-off from the Nanyang Technological University that creates propulsion engines to allow satellites to fly closer to the Earth.  Question is – why do satellites need to fly closer to the Earth in the first place and to what extent has this got to do with the cost of satellite deployment? Meanwhile, the firm’s propulsion engines hitched a ride on a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket last year. Its engines were deployed this year as well in a separate space mission. But what can we expect from the firm next? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed the questions to Dr Mark Lim, Co-founder and CEO, Aliena.

Can you imagine that the Moon may support a population of 1,000 with over 10,000 people visiting each year by 2040?  How about having the moon support industries such as construction, energy, steel procurement, communications, transportation, and even tourism and medicine? It may seem a little out of reach at this point in time, but that is the belief of our guest for today ispace.  Founded in 2010, ispace is a global lunar resource development company that specialises in designing and building lunar landers and rovers. It was also the first space startup to go public via an IPO in Japan this year. The firm aims to extend the sphere of human life into space by providing high-frequency, low-costs transportation services to the moon.  In particular, ispace US was part of a team awarded a contract to land on the far side of the Moon by 2025. Aside from transportation, ispace was also tasked by various space agencies to collect lunar regolith and extract water on the Moon.  So far, the firm has more than 200 employees worldwide, with offices in Japan, Luxembourg and the US. But what is the value of space exploration, and to what extent does Singapore have a role in this emerging lunar economy?  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Jenna Tiwana, Senior Business Development and Strategy Advisor,  ispace inc for more.

This conversation is set to pique your interest if you’re a grocery shopper or a foodie. On that note, have you ever read the back of a food label packaging and wonder what exactly is this ingredient called the chicken extract that is packed with umami flavour?  Or have you opened a bag of barbecue flavoured chips and wonder what’s behind that rich and smoky flavour?  Or perhaps – what are milk proteins and milk protein concentrates and how do they make the food and drinks we consume more nutritious?  With over five decades of history, Kerry Taste and Nutrition is an Ireland headquartered food company offering taste and nutrition solutions for some of the world’s best known FMCG and pharmaceutical brands.  The firm currently has over 22,000 employees and over 150 innovation and manufacturing centres in over 30 countries. But what is the role of Kerry’s presence in Singapore in its wider portfolio? Meanwhile, Kerry Taste and Nutrition recently reported its half year results where both sales volumes and pricing went up at the same time. How was this achieved given how its clients or FMCG players are struggling with balancing price increases and falling demand amid high inflation? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to  John Cahalane, President and CEO for Kerry Taste and Nutrition Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

The adoption of digital solutions within the construction industry is at the heart of our conversation today.  Founded in 2014, our guest Novade develops cloud and mobile applications for construction companies to use in work sites. The applications streamline work processes such as quality control, safety inspections and workforce management and reduce the paperwork needed in construction projects.  Novade currently operates in over 20 countries with a user base of over 150,000 people. Some of its customers include big names such as Samsung C&T, CapitaLand and Lendlease. The company is reportedly seeing growing demand for its services as the industry increasingly recognises the importance of digitalisation.  Looking ahead, Novade wants to expand its footprint in APAC by first tackling top developers in APAC before moving down the value chain to acquire SME clients. But how efficient is this strategy for the firm financially?  It also set its sights in Africa to tap the continent’s rapid urbanisation, especially in Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa – but what are the opportunities exactly?  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Denis Branthonne, CEO and Co-Founder, Novade.

Acquiring talent in the fast growing consumer market of ASEAN – that’s what we are going to talk about in this segment today.  With over 5,100 branches across 60 countries around the world, our guest is leading workforce solutions company Adecco.  The Switzerland-based firm provides a comprehensive range of workforce solutions and consulting services which includes junior to mid-level talent acquisition, temporary staffing, outsourcing, as well as jobs training and reskilling. The Fortune 500 company connects over 700,000 people with job opportunities that make the most out of their skills every given day.  Closer to home, Adecco has a strong presence in major markets within the ASEAN region, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Take Singapore for instance, the Fortune 500 company established its presence in 1985 and currently helps over 1,400 people in new careers each year.  With ASEAN as a trade bloc being one of the top 5 economies in the world, what will this mean in terms of staffing needs and what growth opportunities does this present for Adecco?  How is the firm upskilling workers to navigate structural changes in major ASEAN economies? And how do such structural changes increase the value of a recruitment firm like Adecco?  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter posed these questions to Betul Genc, SVP and Head of ASEAN, Adecco.

You might have used Fitbit in your daily exercise routines. But did you know factory machines use an equivalent of Fitbit too? In fact, we’re going to talk to a company that offers “Fitbit-for-machines” services using the Internet of Things. In layman terms, the firm offers a scalable digital factory system comprising of hardware equipment that tracks the steps or output, the heart rate or the temperature and mixing speed, as well as the sleeping pattern or the idling time of a machine.  Data collected by the equipment will be automatically analysed with a software to provide factory owners a broad overview of what’s happening on the factory floor and if there are any problems with factory equipment that needs to be solved.   The solutions can be deployed within a matter of days and can help clients achieve up to 10 to 30 per cent gain in productivity, energy or maintenance.  But how does this work exactly, and how does Auk Industries differ from other IoT solutions providers?  Meanwhile, Auk Industries says it serves a wide range of clients ranging from a small Nonya confectionery shop in Bedok to large Fortune 500 companies. Question is – what is it about Auk Industries’ proposition that allow it to cater to the needs of clients with operations that seem vastly different?  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Samuel Tan, CEO & Cofounder, Auk Industries for more.

Today we’re going to bring you an inside look into a private equity real estate firm that connects real estate to capital markets.  Founded in 2016, Q Investment Partners or QIP is a Singapore-based PE real estate firm that raises funds from institutional investors to buy, develop and sell buildings to generate investment returns. The firm currently manages and executes around US$400 million of investment value, and has some US$1.2 billion worth of real estate investments managed to date.  Its fund level internal rate of return stands at between 13 and 20 per cent. But how does this differ from the industry? What does the firm look out for when evaluating a potential project and deal, and what is its competitive advantage against other players?  Meanwhile, QIP has 15 properties under its belt, with almost all located within Japan and the UK. But why is this the case and what’s next for the company?  Also – how has China’s move to open its property market to PE investors and funds affected industry players?  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Alexander Bellingham, Director and Head of Sales, QIP.

Do you remember the time when you had to scan a QR code to check into malls and to dine in at restaurants?  Well, today we’re going to talk to the company behind the Tracetogether token that has been a huge part of our lives during the pandemic.  Incorporated all the way back in 1999, TraceTogerther maker iWOW is an Internet of Things solutions provider.  Its name stands for Inspiring the World of Wireless, and the firm specialises not only in smart tracking but also in automated meter tracking and the monitoring of utility usage.  iWOW also serves a diverse range of clients, working with the PUB, Jurong Port, Singtel, to even the SMRT, 3M, Coca Cola and Nestle.  So what is next for the firm with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the “standing down” of the use of Tracetogether?  On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Raymond Bo, Founder and CEO, iWOW Technology for more. 

This is a conversation that you would love if you’re into Asian-dramas or variety shows – think the likes of your Running Man, Descendants of the Sun and so on.  Our guest for today is Viu, which is a leading pan-regional over-the-top video streaming service operated by billionaire Richard Li’s PCCW.  The firm distributes Asian contents in different genres in local language subtitles, as well as produces original drama series. It is present in 16 markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and even in Middle Eastern and African countries such as Egypt and South Africa.  Viu was launched in Singapore back in 2016, where it was known for making Korean dramas more accessible to pop culture lovers.  But how has the entry of players such as Netflix and Disney+ reshaped the competitive landscape in recent years, especially with some players working with top production studios in South Korea to secure a steady pipeline of drama series? Meanwhile, Viu continues to see strong financial results. According to Media Partners Asia, the firm surpassed Netflix in the number of paid subscribers in Southeast Asia as of the end of June this year. Separately, it also saw an increase of 30% in revenue for the first half ended June, while paid subscribers expanded 21% as well. To what extent is this contributed by Singapore and why? On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Anson Tan, Country Head, Viu Singapore to find out more.

Today we’re going to talk about the people behind the flats and apartments we live in – the people building our homes that is.  Construction firms, as we know, have been hit by supply chain disruptions and a manpower crunch during the pandemic.  While things are looking up as work resumes and supply chain bottlenecks ease, industry players continue to face challenges such as working with pre-pandemic contracts that do not account for higher material costs. So how are construction companies navigating choppy waters, and how are they adjusting their business strategy to remain financially viable? Let’s pose these questions to our guest Straits Construction. Starting small in 1969, Straits Construction is a builder that got its first breakthrough in 1982, when it built its first Housing and Development Board of HDB project at Serangoon Avenue 4.  Since then, the firm has taken on more public and private projects. Some past projects include the Royal Square at Novena, which houses Courtyard by Marriot Hotel. On Under the Radar, Drive Time’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian caught up with Kenneth Loo, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Straits Construction Singapore  for more.