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=Rigel Technology=

=About the company=

Establishment of company
Established in 1991, Rigel Technology is a Singapore-based bathroom supplies manufacturer. founded by Christopher Ng Eng Seng. Mr. Ng is also currently the Managing Director of Rigel Technology. The company prides itself on producing environmentally-friendly products with a strong focus on innovation and design. In 1985, Mr. Ng graduated with a computer science degree from the University of Alberta in Canada. After graduation, he worked in a US multinational corporation called Cipher Data Products. When he returned to Singapore in the early 1990s, Mr. Ng noticed that the government was promoting cleanliness and hygiene in public toilets through various campaigns, and he realised that an auto-flush toilet would help in that aspect. Seeing the potential for such a product, Mr Ng invented the auto-flush using infrared motion-detection technology and incorporated them as prototypes for different types of toilets. Mr. Ng strives to revolutionize the restroom experience, so that his customers can save on costs while being ‘green’. Encouraged by the product’s popularity, he incorporated the motion-detector technology in other bathroom products such as faucets and soap dispensers, and continued to expand his range of bathroom products.

Overseas Expansion
In the 1980s, China was opening up through the Chinese economic reform led by Deng Xiaoping. China, a new market with a huge population, was extremely attractive to companies. Operating in China also meant that Rigel Technology’s operating costs could be kept low. Mr. Ng entered the China market in 2004 and 2005and acquired two manufacturing plants in Luzhou and Ningbo. Mr. Ng needed to learn to manage the different cultures and working styles of Chinese workers, and tighten the manufacturing standards at the new factories. ‘We needed to train these workers from scratch so that our products could achieve standards of an international level'. Subsequently, Rigel Technology opened a third showroom in Hangzhou in May 2011.

Rigel Technology’s success as an accredited brand name and green room specialist may be attributed to several factors. First is Mr. Ng’s vision for Rigel Technology to be a global brand that specializes in eco-friendly restroom products. The company’s success was also built through ‘perseverance and diligence’. Staff empowerment is another strong factor, and a key feature of Mr. Ng’s management style is compiling staff opinions regarding the company’s direction. Mr. Ng feels that this approach benefits the company, as ‘one person will have one idea, but many people will have many ideas'. Mr. Ng also believes that its staff is the company’s “best asset”; hence his focus on leadership empowerment. He credits his “dedicated staff” for the company’s present success.

Future plans for Rigel Technology include enlarging its existing markets and focusing on new markets in the Middle East and Latin America. Currently, they have ventured into overseas markets such as Chile, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Maldives and India. In April 2014, the company announced its plan for a $35 million global headquarters at Changi Business Park which will be mainly dedicated to research and development, as part of its continuous pursuit of further research and innovation. =Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives=

Rigel Technology believes in giving back to society to make it a better place for all to live in. Over the years, the company has embarked on many corporate-social responsibility initiatives that championed various causes and sought to educate young minds.

Philanthropy
In support of higher education, Rigel Technology partnered with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), sharing a vision of integrating design and innovation in research and engineering. The Rigel Technology Bursary Grant was established to aid selected SUTD students with financial needs and to help further their education.

Partnering with schools and polytechnics
After Rigel Technology won the E50 Award, students from the NUS Business School collaborated with them under the E50 Educational Project. The project aims to provide an insight to the business world and to inspire and develop future entrepreneurs.

Also, in line with Rigel Technology’s focus on innovation and corporate responsibility, the company seeks to nurture new talent through sponsorships. One such sponsorship is the Product and Industrial Design awards presented to students from the Temasek Polytechnic School of Design.

Community Outreach
Rigel Technology also reaches out to vulnerable groups of society, especially the elderly and children. As part of their community outreach programme, the staff organised a company outing to NTUC Silver Ace Eldercare where the staff distributed food and toiletries to the elderly and brought children from low-income families to the Mint Museum of Toys.

Rigel Technology also collaborated with the World Toilet Organisation to provide portable, environmentally-friendly toilets for developing countries.

=Research and Development=

Through its research and development, Rigel Technology has developed more than 200 new products taken up in over 30 countries. Its new corporate headquarters at Changi Business Park is where products are continually developed or improved. Mr. Ng focuses on pouring capital into innovation, allocating “$1 million – or five per cent of annual turnover” to research and development, and expects this number to increase ‘“multiple-fold”’.

For its efforts in innovation, Rigel Technology won the 2013 ASEAN Business Award (ABA) in the Innovation category in 2013.

Collaborating with strategic partners like Singapore Green Council Building and Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore, Rigel Technology keeps up to date with the latest Green trends. By continuing to provide cutting-edge green solutions, Rigels Technology continues to gain recognition in today’s eco-friendly cities and countries.

=Innovative Technology=

In today’s world where consumer demands are constantly changing, Rigel Technology has spearheaded several innovative technologies as part of their goal to be a sustainable, ‘green’ and competitive company in the local and international market. Having invested heavily in research and development in the last twenty years, Rigel Technology has produced a range of green restroom products that helps save both water and power consumption.

Hydropower Technology
Hydropower technology utilises the flow of water to power faucets and products that feature Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.

Remote Control Device
This gadget enables one to control the sensor technology installed in bathroom accessories such as urinals, flush valves, water basins and faucets. The system controls the volume of water discharge for each bathroom accessory, allowing consumers to use less water.

Sensors
Rigel Technology uses infrared motion-detection technology in many of their bathroom accessories such as soap dispensers and faucets. Utilising such technology in bathroom accessories provides a ‘hands-free’ experience and promotes cleanliness. As part of their ‘green’ manifesto, Rigel Technology programmes these devices to dispense a pre-set amount of soap or water, which helps to save resources.

Recycle Cistern
The company has also invented a water recycle cistern called the “Recytern”. The eco-friendly “Recytern” features a built-in wash basin above the water tank, which allows waste water to be reused for the next round of flushing.

Future Plans
2014 was a milestone for Rigel Technology, when Heliconia Capital Management, an investment firm owned by Temasek Holdings, invested in the company. Heliconia provided the capital to boost Rigel Technology’s growth expansion in Asia, taking advantage of the “‘unprecedented urbanisation’” and ”rapidly growing middle class in Asia". When interviewed, Heliconia Chief Executive Derek Lau lauded Rigel’s unique position in its field, and highlighted its potential to expand internationally.

=Achievements and Awards=

In recognition of the quality products and service Rigel Technology provides to its customers, the company has won various local and international awards.

Rigel Technology has also provided their products to iconic locations such as Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Changi International Airport and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Awards Received
2010 :Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for Innovation.Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for Innovation, Singapore Prestige Brand Award, Established Brands, Asia Pacific Super Excellent Brand Award.Malaysia Power Brand Award, Strategic Partner For The Singapore Institute Of Architects; 2011-2014 2011 :Singapore Prestige Brand Award, Regional Brands (Top Honour winner of Sustainable Business Award) Singapore Prestige Brand Award,Regional Brands Singapore Prestige Brand Awards, Established Brands Enterprise 50 Award

2012 :ASEAN BusinessAward, Innovation Category (2nd consecutive win in the same category) SPBA Awards:- Overall winner of Regional Brands- Winner of Regional Brands (3rd consecutive win) - Hall of Fame award Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award (Outstanding Entrepreneurs Award), Enterprise 50 Award

2013 : ASEAN Business Awards ,Enterprise 50 Award