Royal Philips launches multi-purpose APAC centre to address healthcare needs

Royal Philips has launched a state-of-the-art Philips APAC Center in Singapore to address healthcare needs by fostering collaboration and co-creation at its world-class facilities.Housed in Toa Payoh, the new 38,000-square-meter office building brings together Philips’ innovation and design expertise and business-creation capabilities to better serve the company’s business growth and address healthcare needs in the ASEAN and Pacific region.The Opening Ceremony was attended by guests of honor, S. Iswaran, Minister of Trade and Industry (Industry), and H.E. Jacques Werner, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Singapore.The new office building will enable the health technology company to deliver innovative solutions across the region Singapore.“Today, the world faces significant healthcare challenges with an aging population, the rise of chronic diseases and global resource constraints that limit the access to quality healthcare,” Ronald de Jong, executive vice president & chief market leader, Royal Philips, said."I am convinced that these can be addressed through new and more highly integrated care delivery models enabled by health technologies and new business models. It is vital that we innovate with our partners in a meaningful and locally relevant way.”De Jong added: “This is also a significant event for us at Philips as we celebrate our 125th anniversary this year globally."Globally, and in Asia, people are increasingly looking for ways to be healthy, to live well and to care for themselves and their families at home. As consumers look for ways to take control of their own health, their needs and those of healthcare professionals are increasingly becoming intertwined. To address these needs, collaborations and partnerships between healthcare professionals and corporate enterprises are imperative to delivering innovative solutions across the health continuum. Together we can empower people to live healthier lives, enable people to better manage their own health, ensure patients receive accurate diagnosis for more effective treatment, and support patients’ recovery and chronic care at home, said Royal Phillips.“Our new Philips APAC Center – that will house our APAC headquarters and innovation activities – serves as a gateway to the region. Singapore, with its strong pool of skilled talent, is critical to us as we are increasing our focus into health technology. Our business is going through a transformation – from a supplier of individual medical and consumer products to a provider of integrated health technology solutions and services. This means that our facilities and ways of working need to transform as well,” said Fabian Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Philips ASEAN Pacific.The Learning Center is where healthcare technicians and practitioners can enrich their knowledge and have first-hand experience handling and operating Philips medical equipment to make a difference in patients’ lives every day.In the coming months, the Consumer Care center will open to the public. This center comes equipped with a user-friendly digital platform where visitors can conveniently access Philips product information, ratings, and reviews in real-time. Purchases can also be made in the center through the online store.In addition, the building is a showcase equipped with the company’s own industry-leading LED lighting systems. Beyond sustainable features like energy-savings1 and lowered carbon footprint, connected lighting with Philips PoE (Power-over-Ethernet) is built into areas where higher interaction levels are expected.The Philips APAC Center was built and designed with Workplace Innovation (WPI) in mind, a new way of working that encourages collaboration. With the aim to reduce carbon footprint, the new building now houses employees who used to occupy four buildings, with facilities that foster an activity-based collaborative work culture – a manifestation of Philips’ business goals and role as the regional headquarters.