DBS Bank, Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) and four public sector agencies clinched top honours at the Business Excellence Awards yesterday.

All six winners demonstrated outstanding management practices, with visionary leadership committed to innovation, people development and excellence in customer service, Spring Singapore said.

At HCI, which received the Singapore Quality Award with Special Commendation, students have moved beyond laboratory experiments to conduct advanced scientific research involving global and social issues to solve practical and complex real-world problems ranging from smart home applications to water treatment methods.

DBS, one of two winners of the Singapore Quality Award last night, was recognised for the way it has incorporated digital technology at all stages of the customer journey to make banking easier.

Spring also lauded how the bank has encouraged employees to develop their entrepreneurial ideas through hackathons.

The Maritime and Port Authority took the second Singapore Quality Award for the way it has used technology to enhance transparency in the bunkering process, improve operational efficiency and increase the productivity of the entire bunkering industry.

One of the two Innovation Excellence Awards given out last night went to the National Library Board, which Spring said "has been innovative in all its operations and services, ranging from design to technology and even its engagement with the community".

The second Innovation Excellence Award winner, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, has demonstrated a strong innovation culture among its people and used technology and state-of-the-art equipment to strengthen its emergency response capabilities, Spring said.

The Defence Science and Technology Agency clinched the People Excellence Award for placing its staff at the organisation's heart. DSTA's policies empower its people to chart career development and training, and encourage them to challenge norms while giving them time and space to come up with new ideas.

Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran said Spring is also mindful of a future economy led by innovation.

This is why it is reviewing the business excellence framework - to address how organisations will use technology, drive innovation values and nurture talent to master relevant skills - and relaunching the business excellence recognition with the Singapore Quality Class (SQC).

"Under the revised initiative, all companies must first embark on SQC to establish a strong foundation, before deepening their capabilities in the three niche areas."

Correction Note: An earlier version of the story had said Spring is relaunching the business excellence recognition with the training outfit Service Quality Centre (SQC). It should be Singapore Quality Class (SQC).