Global technology giant Apple this week announced a USD 250 million plan to expand the company’s Ang Mo Kio campus in Singapore. In relation to this, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Singapore, where he met Prime Minister-designate Lawrence Wong and interacted with diverse Apple users.
In recent days, Tim Cook has also toured Hanoi in Vietnam and Jakarta in Indonesia, an indication of the company’s focus on the Asian market.
Today and yesterday, there was a flurry of posts from Tim Cook on the social network X, capturing moments of the Singapore visit. His time in the city state, one of the top business destinations in Asia, included attending a mini-concert within the Apple retail store at the Marina Bay Sands.
“Thank you to Singapore and the teams for a fantastic visit! We’re excited to keep growing across the region with an expanded Ang Mo Kio campus, and we look forward to building on the critical work our teams are doing, deepening our connection with this amazing country,” wrote Tim Cook this afternoon, in a post accompanied by a team photo.
Four-decade connection
The day before yesterday, the online news room on the Apple website published digital rendering of the expanded Ang Mo Kio campus. Its press release was headlined: ‘Apple builds on 40 years in Singapore with expanded campus’.
In the April 17 release, the company said: “Today Apple announced new expansion in Singapore, with plans to invest over $250 million to grow its campus in Ang Mo Kio. The new expansion is the latest milestone in Apple’s over four decades of work fostering job creation and deep connections with the local community, and will provide space for growth and new roles in AI and other key functions.”
Outlining the Apple connection with Singapore, the press release said: “Apple opened its first facility in Singapore in 1981 with 72 employees focused on Apple II, and has since grown to include a team of more than 3,600 that contributes to every part of the company.
“Today, Singapore serves as a central operations centre for Apple in the region, and is a hub for critical roles in software, hardware, services, and support. The country is also home to three vibrant Apple Store locations.”
Tim Cook was quoted in the release as saying: “Singapore is truly a one-of-a-kind place, and we are proud of the connection we’ve built with this dynamic community of creators, learners, and dreamers.
“With our growing campus, Apple is writing a new chapter in our history here. Our Singapore teams have played an important role in enriching the lives of our customers — and we can’t wait for many more decades of innovation to come.”
The company release further said: “Across Singapore, Apple supports more than 60,000 jobs through direct employment, its supply chain, and the iOS app economy. The company also works with educational institutions, businesses, and organisations using technology and innovation to build a brighter world.”
About the Singapore campus expansion, it said: “Construction begins later this year to expand Apple’s campus in the Ang Mo Kio district. Two buildings acquired in 2022, located adjacent to the company’s existing offices, will undergo a major upgrade, bringing three unique spaces together to foster greater collaboration for Apple’s growing teams.”
Building a green campus
- Like all Apple facilities, the expanded Ang Mo Kio campus will run on 100 per cent renewable energy.
- Once complete, the office aims to attain LEED Gold certification.
- Apple has been carbon neutral for its corporate operations since 2020 and has run all of its facilities using 100 per cent renewable energy since 2018.
- Apple first contracted for clean energy solutions in Singapore in 2015 with solar panels on 800 rooftops.