I had the privilege of joining the John Clements team on a business trip to Singapore from February 16 to 18, 2025. During this trip, we visited our valued clients and partners based in Singapore, strengthening our professional relationships and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
Strengthening Partnerships in Singapore
Meeting with Chiyoda Singapore
Our first meeting was with Chiyoda Singapore over lunch with Sandra Wang, the General Manager, at the Paradise Classic Restaurant in Jewel Changi Airport. Chiyoda Corporation has been a long-time partner of EDI-Staffbuilders International, a wholly owned subsidiary of John Clements Consultants. EDI’s President & CEO, Cesar Averia, has a strong relationship with Sandra Wang, and they continuously provide us with business opportunities. Chiyoda is a prominent player in the global engineering sector, known for its leadership in the design and construction of oil and gas midstream facilities, including gas processing and LNG, as well as downstream refinery and petrochemical facilities. The company is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan.
Collaboration with PERSOLKELLY Singapore
Our next meeting was with PERSOLKELLY Singapore, a leading HR solutions provider and the regional headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 2016, PERSOLKELLY is a joint venture between Kelly Services, Inc. and affiliates of Persol Holdings Co. Ltd. Under the leadership of CEO Francis Koh, PERSOLKELLY has grown to become one of the largest recruitment companies in the region, offering comprehensive workforce solutions. As the exclusive partner of John Clements Consultants in the Philippines, PERSOLKELLY primarily caters to Japanese clients in the country. We were pleased to present the performance of our Japan Desk team in Manila and discuss ways to sustain and further strengthen our partnership.
Visit to Obayashi Corporation
Following our meeting with PERSOLKELLY, we headed to the office of Obayashi Corporation, a renowned construction company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and led by President and CEO Kenji Hasuwa. Obayashi Corporation has a significant global presence, employing over 9,000 people. The Singapore branch, though smaller, boasts a highly efficient team focused on delivering state-of-the-art construction solutions, including data centers and high-rise office buildings, utilizing advanced technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM). Obayashi has been a valued client of EDI-Staffbuilders International, and we discussed upcoming projects that EDI might be able to support.
Engaging with Uniphore
Our next meeting was with our partner, Uniphore. We met with Alex Koshy, the Vice President & Head of Sales for the APAC region. Alex plays a crucial role in driving sales and expanding Uniphore’s presence in the Asia-Pacific market. Uniphore is a leading AI-native, multimodal enterprise-class SaaS company, co-founded by Umesh Sachdev and Ravi Saraogi in 2008. The John Clements team shared with Alex that Uniphore’s Q for Recruiting tool is the next big thing, with no competitors currently in the market.
Uniphore’s headquarters are located in Palo Alto, California, but it has a significant presence worldwide, including its APAC Regional Headquarters in Singapore. The company employs approximately 800 people globally.
Meeting with Sennheiser Electronic Asia Pte Ltd
Next, we had a meeting with Sennheiser Electronic Asia Pte Ltd, our partner in the Philippines, supporting their operations. They expressed their satisfaction with our employee’s performance, who will be receiving an award for achieving US$1,000,000 in sales last year. Established in 1992, Sennheiser Electronic Asia Pte Ltd is a key subsidiary of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, a renowned German audio company. Based in Singapore, Sennheiser Electronic Asia Pte Ltd plays a pivotal role in the development, production, and distribution of high-quality audio products across the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthening Ties with Welbilt
We then proceeded to the office of Welbilt, where they expressed their satisfaction with the services provided by John Clements. Welbilt Asia Pacific Private Limited, headquartered in Singapore, is a key player in the commercial food service equipment industry. Established on February 1, 2011, the company was formerly known as Manitowoc Foodservice Asia Pacific Private Limited.
Welbilt Asia Pacific specializes in the wholesale of commercial food service equipment, including hotel kitchen equipment. Their extensive product portfolio is supported by KitchenCare, their aftermarket parts and service brand. The company offers a wide range of products, including household cooking and kitchen utensils, porcelain-enameled items, and various fabricated metal products.
Globally, Welbilt employs approximately 200 people across all its locations. In 2024, the company generated impressive revenues of around USD 83.69 million.
In 2022, Welbilt was acquired by Ali Group, one of the largest and most diversified global leaders in the food service equipment industry. Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, Ali Group designs, manufactures, markets, and services a broad line of commercial and institutional food service equipment. The group operates through its 95 global brands, employing approximately 14,000 people in 34 countries.
Meeting with Singapore ALE Pte. Ltd.
Last but not least, we met with Singapore ALE Pte. Ltd. John Clements has been supporting ALE’s operations in the Philippines for quite some time. The Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise brand has established itself as a prominent provider of enterprise communications solutions and services. Formerly known as Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Singapore Pte. Ltd., the company began its journey as an independent entity on October 1, 2014. With a global presence, Singapore ALE Pte. Ltd. boasts a workforce of over 2,700 employees spread across more than 100 countries. The company serves an impressive clientele of over 830,000 customers worldwide, supported by a robust network of more than 2,900 partners. This extensive reach underscores the company’s commitment to delivering innovative communications, networking, and cloud solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes.
My Key Takeaways from Our Trip to Singapore
- Strong Governance: Singapore’s government, a parliamentary republic, is renowned for its robust legal framework, effective anti-corruption measures, and pro-business policies. These factors contribute to low corruption levels and high investor confidence.
- Thriving Business Environment: Meeting with seven successful clients in Singapore underscores the country’s conducive business environment and growth opportunities. This success highlights the robust economic landscape and the potential for future collaborations.
- First-World Infrastructure: Singapore’s efficient transportation system, stunning airport, wide and clean roads, and overall cleanliness contribute to its status as a first-world country. The seamless immigration process and disciplined culture further enhance the travel experience, making it a model for other countries, including the Philippines.
- Attractive Destination: Despite the high cost of living, Singapore’s beauty, fast-paced environment, and disciplined culture make it an attractive destination. My positive experience and eagerness to return underscore the country’s appeal and the valuable lessons it offers.
Looking Forward
Singapore is truly a remarkable country, and I am already looking forward to my next visit! From its thriving business landscape and world-class infrastructure to its disciplined and dynamic culture, Singapore offers an environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Each visit presents new opportunities to strengthen professional relationships, explore cutting-edge advancements, and gain valuable insights that can be applied back home. I am eager to return and continue building on the meaningful connections and experiences from this trip.
Partner with John Clements for Global Talent Solutions
John Clements Consultants has been a trusted partner in recruitment and executive search, connecting businesses with top talent worldwide. Our recent engagements in Singapore highlight our commitment to strengthening global partnerships and driving business success.
Ready to find the right talent for your organization? Contact us today and explore how we can support your hiring needs.
