Landscape Companies and Nurseries Benefit from Improved Productivity Under $12 million Landscape Productivity Roadmap

Singapore will host a new regional trade exhibition and conference called GreenUrbanScape Asia in November 2013

Singapore, 1 September 2012 - New initiatives funded under the National Parks Board's (NParks) S$12m Landscape Productivity Roadmap have shown positive results: local nurseries have been accredited for improving work processes, companies have been hiring NParks' machines to enhance productivity, and a new guide book has been launched today to provide tips on designing landscapes that are more efficient to maintain. In a sign of Singapore's growing importance as a hub for landscape and urban design solutions, Singapore will host a new regional trade exhibition and conference next November.  These announcements were made at Green Thumbs 2012, held at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.

Speaking at the event, Dr Leong Chee Chiew, NParks' Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are encouraged that the landscape industry is supporting the initiatives funded under the Landscape Productivity Roadmap.  This augurs well for the sustained growth of the landscape sector, as the Roadmap was designed to improve industry productivity over a five-year period.  The landscape industry plays a pivotal role in Singapore's transformation into a City in a Garden.  Thanks to the sustained efforts of the dedicated professionals in the landscape industry, we are now living in a city where lush greenery and biodiversity can be found in abundance." (Please check against delivery)

18 nurseries accredited under NParks' Nursery Accreditation Scheme

18 nurseries from 14 companies in Singapore have been accredited under the Nursery Accreditation Scheme, which was implemented in the first quarter of this year. The scheme aims to help nurseries deliver quality products and reduce operating costs through better resource management, and improved work processes and layout.

To be accredited, nurseries need to benchmark their practices against specified standards and adopt internationally-competitive processes. One accredited nursery, Island Landscape and Nursery Pte Ltd, is constantly finding ways to improve work processes by adopting newIT and hardware solutions. For example, the nursery improved its productivity with the use of water- and weather-proof barcodes on its plants and pots two months ago, to help in tracking stock and for ease of price scanning at check-out counters. Previously, normal barcode labels would fade under the weather. This resulted in inefficiency as staff had to constantly replace the labels.

Enhanced productivity through equipment from new Machinery Training and Hire Facility

Since May 2012, more than 10 companies have leased machines from NParks' new Machinery Training and Hire Facility to improve productivity.  The Facility allows companies to use equipment such as the stump grinder, wood chipper and multi-purpose skid steer at low cost.  Landscape workers will also be trained to use the machines effectively and safely.  From today onwards, companies can start to hire larger machines, such as soil mixers and potting machines.

Mao Sheng Quanji Construction Pte Ltd, a local landscape company, has benefited from the use of a stump grinder from NParks.  It recorded a 75 per cent reduction in man hours taken to clear stumps left from tree felling. Previously, it required three workers and 12 hours to clear the stumps. With the stump grinder, it took only two workers and four hours to carry out the same task.

Launch of the "Landscape design guidelines for productive maintenance and sustainability" book

A new guide book was launched today to highlight how design decisions can affect landscape maintenance regimes downstream.  Aimed at landscape designers, contractors, developers, park managers and building owners, it includes tips such as ensuring a contiguous layout of turf in parks to facilitate the use of mowers, instead of fragmenting the turf into strips and patches, which require manual and laborious mowing.

Landscape Apprenticeship Programme

Another initiative under the Roadmap is the Apprenticeship Programme. Developed in consultation with the Landscape Industry Association (Singapore) (LIAS) and the Singapore Arboriculture Society (SAS), supported by the Workforce Development Agency, the programme was created to train a new generation of highly-skilled landscape specialists and project managers.  The 24-month programme will combine work assignments, on-the-job and formal training under the Landscape Framework of the Workforce Skills Qualification system.  To launch the scheme, the first intake will start in January 2013. Nine companies which are members of LIAS and SAS are offering 15 apprenticeship places to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who have completed their 'O' or 'N' levels.

New regional trade exhibition and conference

Singapore will host a new regional trade exhibition and conference, GreenUrbanScape Asia from 7 to 9 November 2013.  Jointly organised by NParks, Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects (SILA), LIAS and Singex, visitors can expect to see new innovative solutions covering all aspects of landscape and urban greenery. The 2^nd International Skyrise Greenery Conference and 2^nd international Landscape industry Association Summit will also be incorporated into the event.  

Green Thumbs 2012

An annual event by NParks' Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) and LIAS, Green Thumbs was started in 2006 to celebrate the development journey of the landscape industry. The theme for this year's Green Thumbs is A Culture of Productivity for a More Efficient Industry. It aims to inspire landscape companies to inculcate a culture of productivity for increased efficiency.

One highlight of Green Thumbs is the Skills Championships. As in previous years, the Championships showcase various competencies of the landscape workers, such as tree climbing, landscape design and implementation and excavator operations. About 100 workers participated in the nine Skills Championships.  About 1,200 workers also took part in recreational sports such as soccer, cricket, and tug-of-war.

For the first time, a WSH Unconference for Landscape Sector was organised by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council, with support from the Ministry of Manpower, LIAS and NParks. The seminar aims to educate landscape service buyers on WSH approach for their contractors.  CEOs and MDs of landscape service buyers and contractors attended the seminar this morning at Green Thumbs 2012.  (For more information, please refer to factsheet on Green Thumbs)

The event was graced by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Acting Minister for Manpower and Senior Minister of State for National Development.