SATS invests $150m for hub on food production automation

The construction of the food hub is expected to be completed in 2024.

SATS Ltd. (SATS), Asia’s largest food solutions and gateway services, allocated $150m to build an innovative hub where the company will deploy robotics for food automation production in Jurong Innovation District.

In a statement, the company announced that it will establish a network of Internet of Things (IoT) technology at the five-storey hub that will aid in planning, raise asset utilisation, and cut food waste.

The building will have facilities for food manufacturing, production kitchens, innovation lab, warehousing and logistics centre, food court and experiential centre.

At the hub, production of meals will be automated to ensure efficiency whilst manual production such as assembling of food will be conducted by robotic finger grippers and auto dispensing units.

Aside from food automation, SATS will also expand its Global Innovation Centre at the hub, which will connect to food tech start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and institutions of higher learning for open collaboration platforms for innovation partnerships. 

The food hub will also encourage the Jurong Innovation District and its community with an experiential centre in the hub where visitors can learn about food innovations and sustainability through educational tours.

SATS expects the construction of the food hub, which will occupy 20,000 square metres, to be finished in 2024.

SATS CEO Kerry Mok said meal production automation will “change the landscape” and benefit their customers, suppliers, and business partners.

The hub will also allow the firm to implement its hi-tech food production to achieve cost efficiency, boost operations, and create greater opportunities for upskilling people, added Mok.