MILESTONES
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF LOGISTICS
08 Nov 2006
What do resorts and logistics have in common?
Both of them have very difficult customers.
But there is one crucial difference between the two, according to Brigadier-General (BG) Philip Lim.
"In resorts, the customers are very willing to part with their money and pay. In logistics, well..." he trailed off to laughter from his audience.
The Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Head of Joint Logistics was addressing about 800 guests at the d-Logistics Seminar on 7 Nov.
Since its humble beginnings in the then Ministry of Interior and Defence in 1966, logistics in MINDEF has grown into a progressive system of programmes and capabilities that sustains the SAF's daily and operational needs.
"So, while we transform the SAF into a third-generation armed forces, we have and will continue to make sure that logistics is transformed in tandem," said Dr Tan.
Speaking on the SAF's logistics transformation at the seminar, BG Lim cited "ops-log-tech integration" as the main principle that binds the SAF's complex web of logistics capabilities into "a single coherent architecture".
"Speed, flexibility and adaptability must be key characteristics for anyone in the logistics business today and beyond," he said.
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, a dinner was also held on 6 Nov at the Combat Service Support Command in Kranji Camp III.
Permanent Secretary (Finance) Teo Ming Kian, who started his career as a defence engineer in MINDEF more than 30 years ago, shared his thoughts with the 300 guests at the dinner.
As a fresh graduate excited about dealing with advanced technology, he recalled the shock of seeing his "dilapidated office" which came with bathtubs "filled with stacks of files".
Much has changed since then.
"The importance of logistics, or what many today refer to as supply chain management, cannot be overstated," said Mr Teo.
"At the national level, it is a critical strength that has helped us develop our economy."
Both of them have very difficult customers.
But there is one crucial difference between the two, according to Brigadier-General (BG) Philip Lim.
"In resorts, the customers are very willing to part with their money and pay. In logistics, well..." he trailed off to laughter from his audience.
The Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) Head of Joint Logistics was addressing about 800 guests at the d-Logistics Seminar on 7 Nov.
Since its humble beginnings in the then Ministry of Interior and Defence in 1966, logistics in MINDEF has grown into a progressive system of programmes and capabilities that sustains the SAF's daily and operational needs.
"So, while we transform the SAF into a third-generation armed forces, we have and will continue to make sure that logistics is transformed in tandem," said Dr Tan.
Speaking on the SAF's logistics transformation at the seminar, BG Lim cited "ops-log-tech integration" as the main principle that binds the SAF's complex web of logistics capabilities into "a single coherent architecture".
"Speed, flexibility and adaptability must be key characteristics for anyone in the logistics business today and beyond," he said.
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, a dinner was also held on 6 Nov at the Combat Service Support Command in Kranji Camp III.
Permanent Secretary (Finance) Teo Ming Kian, who started his career as a defence engineer in MINDEF more than 30 years ago, shared his thoughts with the 300 guests at the dinner.
As a fresh graduate excited about dealing with advanced technology, he recalled the shock of seeing his "dilapidated office" which came with bathtubs "filled with stacks of files".
Much has changed since then.
"The importance of logistics, or what many today refer to as supply chain management, cannot be overstated," said Mr Teo.
"At the national level, it is a critical strength that has helped us develop our economy."
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