(L–R) APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn, ROC Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin, and CPC Chairman Sheng-Hsiung Hsu during the launch ceremony of the COE on Smart Manufacturing in Taichung, 6 August 2019. (Photo: CPC)

To assist member economies in adapting to technology-driven changes in global manufacturing and Industry 4.0, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and China Productivity Center (CPC) of the ROC held the International Forum on Smart Manufacturing in conjunction with the launch of the Center of Excellence (COE) on Smart Manufacturing in Taichung, 6 August 2019.

The APO’s flagship COE Program allows the best practices of one member country in a specialized area to be emulated by others. The COE are recognized for advancing the productivity movement in the entire region by modeling and then disseminating their expertise. To be designated as a COE, NPOs must demonstrate long-term excellence in a specific area and plan for it to continue as a major activity in the future. The establishment of the COE on Smart Manufacturing was approved by APO Directors during the Governing Body Meeting in April this year as the second COE in the ROC, following the COE on Green Productivity.

At the launch ceremony, APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn presented a certificate and plaque acknowledging the founding of the COE on Smart Manufacturing to CPC Chairperson Sheng-Hsiung Hsu. Chairperson Hsu stressed the importance of the COE and outlined how it expected to support other APO member economies in addressing issues related to Industry 4.0 and future manufacturing innovations.

Secretary-General Dr. Santhi remarked that, “Smart manufacturing has become a reality today. The COE on Smart Manufacturing will work in close collaboration with APO member economies and leverage the technologies, services, and experiences of the ROC to support digital upgrading in the Asia-Pacific region.” He added that such collaborations would inspire innovation and agility and contribute to sustainable, continuous productivity growth.

Minister of Economic Affairs of the ROC Jong Chin Shen, Deputy Mayor of Taichung Bruce J.D. Linghu, international forum attendees, and more than 100 local participants were present at the launch of the APO’s newest COE.