[SINGAPORE] Alcon, a Swiss-American pharmaceutical and medical device company specialising in eye care products, opened its expanded manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas on Friday (Jun 27).
This brings its total investment in Singapore to more than US$600 million since opening its first manufacturing site here in 2005.
Located in Tuas Biomedical Park, the facility is one of Alcon’s largest manufacturing sites, featuring advanced automation, smart manufacturing systems and industry 4.0 capabilities to support the increasing global demand for its contact lenses.
It is also designed for operational efficiency and sustainability, with automation; digital systems; and features that reduce energy use, water consumption and waste. It has achieved zero waste to landfill and supports scalable production for global demand.
Speaking at the launch event, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said the partnership between Alcon and Singapore over the past 20 years exemplifies how deep, sustained collaboration can drive industrial growth and create meaningful careers for Singaporeans.
“Singapore is home to some of the world’s best-in-class medtech manufacturing plants. The sector has been growing steadily, with a manufacturing output of S$19.4 billion in 2023, a nearly fourfold increase over the past decade,” she said.
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In a statement, Alcon said that the expansion is expected to create new “high-value” jobs in areas such as manufacturing, quality control and distribution management. It will also support Singapore’s ambition to grow its medtech workforce, which comprises over 400 companies and employs more than 16,000 people as of 2024.
The company partners with local institutions and workforce programmes to build skills in precision engineering, biomedical sciences and artificial intelligence automation, supporting the growth of Singapore’s medtech sector.
One initiative is the Career Conversion Programme (CCP), which allowed the firm to tap into a broader, more diverse talent pool, including mid-career switchers and individuals seeking new roles. To date, nearly 180 associates have benefited.
Muhammad Haiqal Sapuan, a beneficiary of the programme, worked in the oil and gas sector previously and joined Alcon as a senior technician in 2022.
After participating in the CCP and undergoing strong mentoring, he now serves as an associate supervisor, leading a team of 15 in production technical operations.
Alcon currently employs more than 25,000 people worldwide and serves over 260 million patients across 140 countries annually.
