Food Pacific Manufacturing Journal

This month, we look into the needs of SMEs that make up most of the manufacturing industry in Southeast Asia. How can they improve their competitiveness in the midst of challenges?

In terms of growing their business, for example, SMEs have very much to grasp, from understanding the importance of proper documentation to long-term planning. In the report, First urgent Total Quality Challenge to MSMEs in the Philippines, the author, Dr Miflora Gatchalian writes that SMEs do not know where to begin their quality development and improvement efforts, as well as on how to sustain these efforts. Her team has been collaborating with the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology on how to assist SMEs. In the next issues of this magazine, she will be sharing more highlights about this collaboration.

In solving many of their operational problems, investing in digital transformation is a route SMEs must eventually take, says Franklin Kurniawan, CEO of Opex Consulting Group. His article, How smart factory technology can transform SMEs is a quick guide for those willing to make the change.

In the world of ingredients, alternative proteins remain a vital part of the future of foods, despite the ups and downs in the industry as described by Mr. Sam Gao, co-founder and senior analyst at Topguide Advisory Shanghai, in an article he shares with FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal. Meanwhile, Palsgaard has announced it is seeking partners to develop plant-based alternative to eggs.

Also in this issue, Euromed shares an exclusive article on nutricosmetics, which includes the trends in beauty-from-within products that are impacting the market in Asia Pacific. Know what’s important to consumers across China and Southeast Asia when it comes to hair and skin care.