Security agency takes top spot at enterprise awards

The pandemic threw most companies off guard, but some, such as Reachfield Security and Safety Management, were well prepared to deal with the widespread disruptions - and their foresight was honoured yesterday.

That foresight led the security agency to put in place pandemic response protocols that it crafted and tested during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome or Sars outbreak.

It used video analytics to boost productivity amid manpower disruptions, trained and redeployed workers, and continued to pay those who could not be redeployed.

"The pandemic has validated our belief that employees are the bedrock of our business. They are the true heroes who help the company tide through the crisis," said its managing director Alvin Lee.

The company took the top prize at the 27th Enterprise 50 (E50) Awards, held in a hybrid format with 140 guests at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore yesterday. The event was also streamed live, with other guests tuning in online.

The awards recognise top privately held companies that have contributed to the country's economic development. This year's winners were lauded for their business excellence and for proactively transforming their operational models to thrive amid the pandemic.

The second place went to welding solutions provider AllAlloy, which has diversified into sustainable products for personal and environmental safety as well as wind energy fabricators.

Construction company Utracon Overseas came in third. It also bagged a special mention in the area of sustainability for building methods that help reduce waste and enable environmentally sustainable projects.

Special awards were also given out. The Internationalisation Award went to steel solutions provider Mlion Corporation for winning numerous projects across Asia, while Oilfield Services and Supplies won both the Enterprise Transformation and Five-Year awards. The latter award recognises firms that have been E50 awardees five times.

Chocolate manufacturer Aalst Chocolate and building and design services company QXY Resources also clinched the Five-Year Award.

The ceremony featured a panel discussion that included Manpower Minister and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, who said the pandemic has forced businesses to re-examine their operating models and be more sustainable.

"The green economy will present significant new opportunities for Singapore, particularly in carbon services," he added. "We are also keen for companies to develop renewable energy sources in countries with an abundance of renewable energy or decarbonisation potential."

Mr Wong Wei Kong, editor of The Business Times, which co-organised the awards with professional services firm KPMG in Singapore, said this year's winners had to navigate the pandemic, and were forced to adapt quickly and react forcefully, as well as find new paths of growth.

"We hope their leadership, creativity and determination will inspire other companies to rise to the challenges of today's complex environment," said Mr Wong.

Mr Jonathan Ho, partner and head of private enterprise at KPMG in Singapore, said enterprises are placing more importance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.

"They consider what ESG means to them in terms of sustainable corporate growth and competitive advantage; and are rapidly building and scaling ways to solve business challenges while keeping the company agile," he added.