Singapore Government Names NanoFilm Innovation of the Year

Hewlett-Packard Singapore Pte Ltd (HP Singapore), NanoFilm Technologies International Pte Ltd (NanoFilm), National Institute of Education (NIE), National Library Board (NLB), PSA Corporation (PSA) and Seagate Technology International (Seagate Singapore) have much to celebrate. Their exceptional efforts in innovation have earned them the honour of being the inaugural group of innovators to be accorded the highest recognition for innovation in Singapore: the Singapore Innovation Award.

NanoFilm won the Award by achieving a breakthrough in the thin film coating technology after spending five years of research. NanoFilm is a pioneer in this technology. Its patented thin film coating technology has cornered the hard disk drive market and is in the process of opening new ones. NanoFilm has a high potential to be the global market leader in the next few years.

Commented Mr. Ko Kheng Hwa, Chairman Steering Committee and Managing Director, EDB, "The outcome of this inaugural Singapore Innovation Award shows clearly that Singapore is innovating. The spirit of innovation is alive here. The finalists are of international standards, according to out panel of eminent judges. The response to the Award was excellent, in terms of the number of entries and quality and range of innovations received."

Mr. Ko further added that "The flames of innovation are burning bright in Singapore. We now have to fan them to spread like wild fires and turn Singapore into a truly innovation nation."

The winners were selected by an international panel of judges comprising the following eminent executives:

1. Mr. Norio Ohga, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sony Corporation;

2. Mr. Thomas A Steward, Member of the Board of Editors, Fortune Magazine USA;

3. Mr. Christopher A Meyer, Vice President, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and the Director of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Center for Business Innovation USA;

4. Mr. Sim Wong Hoo, Chairman and CEO of Creative Technology;

5. Ms. Jane Crawford, Managing Director of 3i plc Asia-Pacific; and

6. Mr. Teo Ming Kian, Chairman, EDB and Co-Chairman of the National Science and Technology Board.

The Singapore Innovation Award accords the highest recognition to organisations from the private and public sectors for their exceptional achievements in innovation. The search for the innovation and innovative organisation of the year within the private and public sector commenced on 23 May 2001.

A total of 229 entries were received for the Innovation of the Year and the Innovative Organisation of the Year. The entries received includes innovations in products, services, business models, structures, and processes from a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors.