Dyson to hunt best and brightest as high-tech facility opens
Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran (left) with Dyson founder James Dyson at the firm’s facility at Science Park yesterday. The UK-based company aims to hire 190 scientists and engineers over the next five years. Photo: Wee Teck Hian
SINGAPORE — British technology firm Dyson’s new £330 million (S$587 million) research and development centre — which was officially opened yesterday — will hire at least 190 scientists and engineers over the next five years.
The Science Park facility houses the United Kingdom-based company’s most advanced laboratories working on areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and fluid dynamics with a keen focus on integrating hardware, electronics and software.
The Global Technology Centre of Excellence will lead downstream research and development for new product categories and Internet of Things technologies, while the Advanced Supply Chain Control Tower will use analytics to intelligently manage Dyson’s global supply chain.
Dyson currently employs 1,100 people split across its new centre and its advanced digital motors manufacturing facility in Pioneer Crescent. Engineers will make up the bulk of the new hires — which include research scientists — with the company planning to recruit 110 software engineers.
Dyson founder and chief engineer James Dyson said that his firm is “on the hunt for the brightest minds”, and it was no coincidence that “to realise our technology ambitions, we are deepening our commitment to Singapore”.
In an interview last year with TODAY, Mr Dyson rubbished the perception that Singapore lacks engineering talent and an innovative culture. In fact, tapping on the deep pool of talent is the sole reason he is expanding his company’s presence in the Republic, he had said.
Yesterday, he reiterated, “Singapore understands and values the contribution engineers make to society. Importantly, you have graduates with highly skilled minds.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Trade and Industry (Industry) Minister S Iswaran said he was pleased to learn that the Singapore team was closely involved in the development of Dyson’s game-changing technologies and products, including the Digital Motor, bladeless fan, and recently launched SuperSonic hairdryer.
Mr Iswaran, who was the co-chair of the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE), which unveiled its report last week, said, “In line with the CFE recommendations, we will continue to work with our partners to build deep capabilities in our people and our enterprise ecosystem to support innovation and internationalisation,” he said. This was in keeping with Singapore’s vision of developing an innovation-led economy, he added.
“These efforts will better position our enterprises to seize opportunities in growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing and the digital economy, as well as create good job opportunities for our people. Close collaboration between the public and private sectors, and within the private sector, is key to this effort,” said Mr Iswaran.
Dyson sells over 13 million machines including vacuum cleaners, fans and hair dryers in 75 countries globally. Asia, according to Mr Dyson, is the company’s fastest-growing market, and it is expected to overtake the Western markets over the next few years.
“We have grown much faster in Asia than in other territories,” said Mr Dyson. “There is extraordinary interest in new technology and products here,” he added.
