The inaugural Texcare Forum Singapore 2016 is the first dedicated platform for Singapore’s laundry companies. NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) started engaging the laundry companies since 2011 for manpower and productivity solutions. A recent sampling survey with more than 50 companies ranging from DIY services to large industrial set up was conducted to identify challenges and opportunities. These are some of the findings:

• There are more than 350 establishments employing over 13,000 workers
• Aging workforce of which 70% of the local workforce in this sector are more than 50 years old
• High cost competition as customers demand high quality care for textile and linens and companies need to transform from tradition processes to increase productivity and operational efficiency

Learning from Local and Global Experts
To share on the survey findings and provide a platform for local and global experts to discuss best practices, this Inaugural Texcare Forum Singapore 2016 was co- organised by e2i, with Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, China Light Industry Machinery Association (CLIMA), and TCA Textile Care Training Centre.
Productivity Champion Awards
In conjunction with the Texcare Forum Singapore, e2i recognised four Productivity Champions for their lead in raising productivity and benefiting workers through automation and job re-design to be more manpower-lean. This is the first time e2i is giving out these awards for the laundry industry. The awardees helped to generate greater awareness amongst the Singapore SME community to push their productivity journey, tapping on schemes like Inclusive Growth Programme (IGP) and WorkPro to catalyse industry re-development, promote inclusive growth and ensure sharing of productivity gains with workers.
Mr Gilbert Tan, Chief Executive Officer of e2i said, “In today’s fast changing business environment, innovative ideas to improve productivity is one of the key differentiator and catalyst to progress in a new manpower-lean landscape. SMEs are an integral part of our economy. As an enabler, e2i is committed to continue partnering progressive SMEs to re-design jobs and tap on technologies to transform.”
The Minister for Manpower, Mr Lim Swee Say, was the Guest of Honour; with more than 200 attendees from local and international laundry and hotel sectors, equipment manufacturers, research institutions and public agencies.