6 | COMPANIES & MARKETS The Business Times | Monday, September 7, 2015

With an eye on safe tech solutions

Specialising in video and data analytics, Zweec Analytics has deployed its technology in various settings across the island. BY SHEENA TAN

Z
WEEC Analytics may have pro-
gressed from tracking fish in a
tank to tracking swimmers in a Zweec has not limited its
pool, but its fundamental purpose growth to just the four
of ensuring safety has not
changed. Specialising in video and data analyt-
sides of a monitor screen.
ics, the company has deployed its technology After its success in testing
in various settings across the island.
It started with a need, says chief execu-
water quality, it partnered a
tive officer and co-founder Liaw Kok Eng. The water treatment firm and is
Public Utilities Board (PUB) had to manually venturing into providing
observe fish mortality to monitor water quali-
ty. Manual observations are trying, and en- safe drinking water, or
able action only after mortality. To many utili- IONI Water, which
ty owners, that is too little too late, Mr Liaw
said. When threat increases, they need to
operates on a bring your
know whats going on. The conventional own bottle concept.
measuring method is not going to do any-
thing.
Wanting to automate the system, PUB ap-
proached the Agency for Science, Technology
and Research (A*Star) in 2004. faced challenges at the start in quickly com-
Mr Liaw, a seasoned entrepreneur, was mercialising the licensed technology for end
brought in to work with A*Stars researchers users.
and industry managers. One of them was Ce- Originating from A*Star, the technology
cilia Chow, Zweecs director and co-founder. was very raw, said Mr Liaw. The biggest chal-
We came up with more than just an auto- lenge was turning it into something that has
mated system; we came up with an early warn- good commercial sense and application
ing management system, said Ms Chow. sense . . . and worthwhile for users, he said.
Known as AquaTEC, it enables remote moni- Although it took some time to overcome that,
toring and detects abnormal fish behaviour the team did not rest. We started to create de-
before mortality for faster response times.
mand and need for our system instead of just
AquaTEC has been picked up by the Taiwan
waiting for utility.
Water Corporation and the Yangtze River Wa-
ter Resources Commission.

Beyond water safety

As image analysis is its underlying technolo-
gy, application beyond water safety is viable.
Zweec, which spun off from A*Star in 2011,
implemented its smart surveillance system in
pools to detect distress and prevent drown-
ing fatalities.
There are people getting drowned, kids
getting drowned, and its very sad; its always
one too many. With this solution, were
pre-emptive, said Chng Hock Huat, Zweecs
chief commercial officer.
Besides pools, the system is also present
in public spaces to detect suspicious behav-
iour and objects. The interesting thing about
Zweec . . . is really the ease of the core tech-
nology branching to other industries, said Mr
Chng.
Though the company now provides sur-
veillance functions, Mr Chng said its aim is to
complement, not replace, existing manpow-
er. It strengthens them, changes the work-
flow, which for a labour-strapped nation like
Singapore is a smart solution.
Zweec intends to embark on smart com-
munity projects with town councils and cam-
puses. Its analytics systems can be integrated
into existing cameras in a community to pre-
vent crimes from littering to molest, as well as
(From left) Mr Chng, Mr Liaw and Ms Chow. Though Zweec now provides surveillance functions, Mr Chng said it aims to complement,
not replace, existing manpower. It intends to start smart community projects with town councils and campuses. PHOTO: SHAWN TEO
ensure safe water, providing a complete secu-
rity solution.
But Zweec has not limited its growth to
just the four sides of a monitor screen. After
its success in testing water quality, it part-
nered a water treatment firm and is venturing
into providing safe drinking water, or IONI Wa-
ter.
IONI Water operates on a bring your own
bottle concept, and consists of a water treat-
ment system, dispensers and AquaTEC to en-
sure water quality. It will be rolled out this
year in second-tier cities in Indonesia, Myan-
mar and China.
People in first-tier cities tend to buy
in-house filters, said Mr Chng. Those in the
next tier may be less affluent but have some
level of education they are aware of the im-
portance of safe drinking water and can af-
ford it, he added.
The water industry might seem flat, but
growth is dynamic. Because safe drinking wa-
ter is something you cannot take for granted,
he said, and countries like Indonesia with
large populations and many rural and subur-
ban areas need more help.
People in these areas are buying water be-
cause they have, to an extent, lost confidence
in the water transported to them. There is a
real need in these cities, said Mr Liaw.
Zweec expects to capitalise on the Singa-
pore brand to provide assurance to consum-
ers and differentiate itself from bottled water
companies.
Further, its adoption of a decentralised sys-
tem allows easy scalability. IONI Water draws
pipe or surface water before treating it, remov-
ing the need for a central plant to deliver or
distribute water. Were able to bring the facto-
ry to the people, said Mr Liaw.
Zweec is introducing IONI Water through
franchising, working with convenience store
and supermarket chains, or property develop-
ers.
In the next three years, it expects IONI Wa-
ter to generate more than half of total reve-
nue. While Zweec has now progressed to sup-
plying safe drinking water to consumers, it
This company is one of the
14 finalists of the Emerging Enterprise
Award 2015. Jointly presented by
The Business Times and OCBC Bank,
the Emerging Enterprise Award 2015
recognises promising enterprises and
startups which are up to 10 years old
and have an annual turnover of
S$15 million or less. It is supported
by RSM Chio Lim, MasterCard,
Singtel, ACORN Marketing &
Research Consultants, INSEAD and
SPRING Singapore. The winners
will be unveiled at a gala dinner
on September 23.

INSIDE MARKETS Higher

Buying falls for first time in four weeks,
with figures down sharply
By Robert Halili
THE buying fell for the first time in the past four
weeks while the selling among directors re-
mained low based on filings on the Singapore
Exchange from Aug 31 to Sept 4. A total of 29
companies recorded 68 purchases worth
S$2.76 million versus one firm with four dispos-
als worth S$0.37 million.
The buy figures were sharply down from the
previous weeks 50 companies, 122 purchases
and US$19.4 million. The sales, on the other
hand, were consistent with the previous weeks
one firm, two disposals and S$0.83 million.
Aside from directors, the buyback activity
fell last week with 30 companies that posted
110 repurchases worth US$91.3 million. The fig-
ures were down from the previous weeks 37
firms, 137 trades and US$126.9 million.
With buyers that dominated the trading, the
bulk of the significant trades last week were ac-
quisitions with buybacks in BRC Asia Limited,
Centurion Corporation, Tat Hong Holdings and
Trek 2000 and insider buys in Auric Pacific
Group, ASL Marine Holdings, Lum Chang Hold-
ings and Sinostar PEC Holdings. The purchases,
with the exception of Sinostar PEC Holdings,
were made following the fall in share prices.
BRC Asia
Prefabricated steel reinforcement firm BRC Asia
Limited recorded its first buybacks since Janu-
ary 2013 with 209,000 shares purchased from
Sept 3-4 at an average of 66.6 cents each. The
trades were made on the back of the 26 per cent
drop in the share price since May from 90 cents.
The counter is also sharply down since March
2014 from S$1.125.
The group previously acquired S$158,000
worth of shares in January 2013 at an estimated
price of 78 cents each. The counter closed at 70
cents last Friday.
Centurion Corporation
Storage disc manufacturer and distributor and
dormitory services provider Centurion Corpora-
tion bought back for the first time since listing
in January 1995 on SGX Sesdaq and in October
1998 on SGX main board with two million
shares purchased from Sept 2-4 at an average of
42.3 cents each.
The trades, which accounted for 57 per cent
of the stocks trading volume, were made on the
back of the 29 per cent drop in the share price
since May from 59.5 cents. The counter is also
sharply down since April 2014 from 76.5 cents.
Despite the fall in the share price, the stock
is still up since January 2012 from 16.2 cents.
The counter closed at 42.5 cents on Friday.
Tat Hong Holdings
Heavy equipment services provider and suppli-
er Tat Hong Holdings recorded its first buy-
backs since October 2014 with 1.24 million
shares purchased from Aug 24-31 at an average
of 46.9 cents each.
The trades, which accounted for 48 per cent
of the stocks trading volume, were made on the
back of the 21 per cent drop in the share price
since July from 59 cents. The counter is also
sharply down since November 2014 from 81
cents.
The group previously acquired 464,000
shares in October 2014 at an average of S$0.74
each and 1.96 million shares from September to
October 2008 at S$1.25 to S$0.53 each or an av-
erage of S$0.91 each. The counter closed at 50
cents on Friday.
Trek 2000 International
Computer hardware and software research, de-
sign and development firm Trek 2000 Interna-
tional bought back for the first time since Janu-
ary 2008 with 308,000 shares purchased from
Aug 31 to Sept 4 at an average of 29.8 cents
each.
The trades, which accounted for 73 per cent
of the stocks trading volume, were made on the
back of the 41 per cent drop in the share price
since May from 50.5 cents. Despite the fall in
the share price, the counter is still up since May
2014 from 18.8 cents.
The group previously acquired 7.08 million
shares from November 2007 to January 2008 at
31-36 cents each or an average of 34.1 cents
each.
Investors should note that chairman and
CEO Henn Tan sold 100,000 shares on April 8 at
38.5 cents each, which reduced his deemed
holdings by 12 per cent to 720,000 shares or
0.24 per cent of the issued capital. He also has
direct interest of 100.035 million shares or
33.67 per cent.
He previously acquired 1.44 million shares
from November 2006 to August 2014 at 52
cents to 14 cents each or an average of 30 cents
each. Prior to those acquisitions, he sold 15.15
million shares from January to May 2006 at an
average of 53 cents each. The counter closed at
30.5 cents on Friday.
Auric Pacific Group
Executive director Andy Adhiwana recorded his
first on-market trades in food and consumer
goods manufacturer and distributor and securi-
ties and properties investor Auric Pacific Group
since his appointment in November 2014 with
108,000 shares purchased from Sept 1-3 at an
average of 72.4 cents each.
The trades, which accounted for 92 per cent
of the stocks trading volume, increased his
deemed holdings to 27.601 million shares or
21.96 per cent of the issued capital. The pur-
chases were made on the back of the 16 per cent
drop in the share price since April from 86.5
cents.
The counter is also sharply down since Sep-
tember 2013 from S$1.49. Despite the fall in the
share price, the stock is still up since September
2011 from 49 cents. The counter closed at 73
cents on Friday.
ASL Marine Holdings)
Chairman and managing director Ang Kok Tian
recorded his first on-market trade in marine ser-
vices provider ASL Marine Holdings since Octo-
ber 2008 with 8,000 shares purchased on
Aug 31 at 33.6 cents each.
The trade increased his direct holdings to
58.775 million shares or 14.01 per cent of the is-
sued capital. The acquisition was made on the
back of the 31 per cent drop in the share price
since January from 48.5 cents.
The counter is also sharply down since Janu-
ary 2014 from 73.5 cents. Mr Ang previously ac-
quired 100,000 shares in October 2008 at 67
cents each. The counter closed at 36 cents on
Friday.
Lum Chang Holdings
Chairman Raymond Lum Kwan Sung picked up
where he left off in construction and property
developer and investor Lum Chang Holdings in
June with 1.12 million shares purchased from
Aug 28 to Sept 3 at an average of 36.4 cents
each.
The trades, which accounted for 87 per cent
of the stocks trading volume, increased his di-
rect holdings by 8 per cent to 14.522 million
shares or 3.77 per cent of the issued capital.
He also has deemed interest of 59.839 mil-
lion shares or 15.55 per cent. The acquisitions
were made on the back of the 12 per cent drop
in the share price since July from 41.5 cents.
He previously acquired 602,000 shares from
June 8-17 and 239,000 shares from April 8 to
June 4 at an average of 38 cents each. Prior to
his purchases this year, he sold three million
shares in May 1999 at an average of 73 cents
each.
Also positive this year is managing director
David Lum Kok Seng with 1.44 million shares
purchased from March 12-27 at an average of
36 cents each, which boosted his deemed stake
to 63.334 million shares or 16.51 per cent. He al-
so has direct interest of 10.938 million shares
or 2.85 per cent.
He previously acquired 850,000 shares on
Feb 24 via open and off-market trades at an aver-
age of 36 cents each and 2.1 million shares
from March to April 2009 at an average of 14.7
cents each. The counter closed at 37.5 cents on
Friday.
Sinostar PEC Holdings
Non-executive chairman Li Xiang Ping recorded
his first on-market trades in mainland oil and
petrochemical products producer and supplier
Sinostar PEC Holdings since the stock was listed
in September 2007 with 300,000 shares pur-
chased from Aug 26 to Sept 1 at an average of
13.3 cents each.
The trades, which accounted for 43 per cent
of the stocks trading volume, increased his
deemed holdings to 330.296 million shares or
51.61 per cent of the issued capital (registered
holder is Intelligent People Holdings Limited).
The purchases were made on the back of the
114 per cent rebound in the share price since
March from 6.2 cents. Despite the rebound in
the share price, the counter is still down since
April 2012 from 21.5 cents. The counter closed
at 13.1 cents on Friday.
The writer is managing director,
Asia Insider Limited
turnover
on SGX in
August in
all activities
Singapore
SECURITIES, derivatives and
commodities activities posted
continued growth in August, the
Singapore Exchange (SGX) says.
At S$28.1 billion, total turnover
for securities was up 34 per cent
year-on-year and 16 per cent
month-on-month in August, despite
fewer trading days in the month
vis-a-vis August last year as well as
July this year.
The daily average traded value
was S$1.5 billion, 35 per cent higher
month-on-month and 49 per cent
higher year-on-year. Trading of
Straits Times Index (STI) stocks
represented nearly three-quarters of
total trading value, versus 66 per
cent in July this year and 57 per
cent in August last year.
Exchange-traded fund (ETF)
trading was S$307 million, up 20
per cent month-on-month and 40
per cent year-on-year.
S$7.4 billion was raised in
August as 23 new bonds were listed,
with foreign issuers accounting for
nearly three-quarters of the bond
listings. Meanwhile, there were two
new listings on Catalist, raising S$40
million.
The total market capitalisation of
the 771 listed companies totalled
S$899 billion for the month.
Meanwhile, the derivatives
volume of 17 million contracts was
up 82 per cent year-on-year,
although it was 21 per cent lower
from the previous month. Equity
index futures volume hit 15.3
million contracts, up 76 per cent
year-on-year and down 23 per cent
from the prior month.
Similarly, SGX commodities
derivatives volume surged 285 per
cent year-on-year to 535,438
contracts but fell 22 per cent
month-on-month.