SINGAPORE - Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce’s factory in Singapore is getting a boost as a research collaboration which has increased its productivity by over 20 per cent gears up into its second phase.

The company’s joint lab with Singapore Aero Engine Services (SAESL) and A*Star was expanded on Oct 3.

The first phase of the collaboration, launched in 2017, resulted in the automation of processes like the coating of fans in aircraft engines.

These improvements allowed Rolls-Royce to raise its output without expanding its physical factory, said Dr Tan See Leng, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology.

He added: “Improvements like these are expected to generate operational efficiencies for Rolls-Royce and SAESL over the next decade.”

SAESL, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and SIA Engineering Company, has also raised its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities under the collaboration.

SAESL is one of the world’s largest MRO companies servicing Rolls-Royce’s Trent family jet engines.

More than 20 per cent of these engines pass through SAESL, with the company supporting more than 30 airlines globally, including national carrier Singapore Airlines, Dubai-based Emirates and TAP Air Portugal, the flag carrier of Portugal.

It has separately embarked on an expansion plan

to increase its annual maintenance capacity in Singapore

Technologies from automated inspections to AI-enabled monitoring have shortened lead times, and reduced labour hours by as much as 90 per cent, said SAESL’s CEO Chris Pattinson.

He expects the innovations to save his firm more than $17 million over the next deca...